Friday March 20th 2026 Established 1905 27 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana Year 121, No. 11
Guyanese Marva Joy Hawksworth The Sixth General Assembly of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) was held in Bogotá, Colombia, from March 16–20 2026, bringing together delegates from across the Amazon region and international Church organizations. In a press release, CEAMA noted that the Assembly aims to strengthen collaboration and promote common discernment in advancing the Church’s mission in the Amazon through a synodal approach. During the assembly, Guyanese Marva Joy Hawksworth was elected CEAMA’s Vice President representing the Laity. The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) was represented by: • Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB (Guyana) • Fr. Jean-Paul Komi Sikpe (French Guiana) • Fr. Santiago Lantigua SJ (Guyana) • Ms. Auxilia Jacqueline Reand (French Guiana) • Ms. Marva Joy Hawksworth (Guyana) During the assembly, CEAMA elected its new presidency for the period 2026–2030, consolidating a representative structure that integrates bishops, priests, indigenous peoples, laity and religious life, in continuity with its synodal identity. (please turn to page 10)
Pope Leo XIV calls bishops to Rome to discuss marriage and family in October - p2 Worldwide Marriage Encounter granted canonical recognition - p2 Synod Report finds digital world ‘the new missionary frontier’ - p3 Church in Amazonia must be sign of unity in diversity, says Pope Leo - p3 A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4 Sunday Scripture - p5 Every Church institution must listen to victims of abuse, Pope Leo says - p6 Using God’s name to justify war is ‘the gravest sin’, says Cardinal Pizzaballa - p7 Faith and flowers: Special rules keep God’s house simply beautiful - p8 Children’s Page - p9 Growing in Grace Week 81 - p10 Faith in Practice Week 7 - p11 Pope Leo moves into new home in the Apostolic Palace - p12 Daily Lenten activities for families - p12 Formation Seminar for Lay Ministers held at St Ignatius - p14
Bishop’s Engagements Sunday March 22nd 09:30hrs – Meeting with Cathedral Confirmation candidates 15:00hrs – Bible Quiz Finals 17:00hrs – Mass at Cathedral Tuesday March 24th 09:00hrs – Clergy Retreat 17:00hrs – Mass of Chrism (Cathedral) Wednesday March 25th 09:00hrs – Meeting with Ministry of Health 10:00hrs – Clergy meeting with Registrar General 11:00hrs – AEC Meeting (Virtual) 17:00hrs – Thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral celebrating the 42nd Anniversary of the foundation of the Incarnate Word (IVE) and 30 years of service in Guyana. Saturday March 28th 10:00hrs – Meeting with RCIA Candidates Sunday March 29th 07:30hrs – Passion (Palm) Sunday Mass - Cluster
The AEC delegation to CEAMA’s 6th General Assembly, held in Bogotá, Colombia, March 16-20 2026 (L-R): Fr. Santiago Lantigua SJ (Guyana), Ms. Auxilia Jacqueline Reand (French Guiana), Ms. Marva Joy Hawksworth (Guyana), Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB (Guyana) and Fr. Jean-Paul Komi Sikpe (French Guiana) ❖
Francis Alleyne OSB