ANTILLES EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE 9a Gray St, Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies President: Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, Archbishop of Port of Spain Vice President: Bishop John Persaud, Diocese of Mandeville Treasurer: Bishop Robert Llanos, Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre General Secretary: Fr. Donald Chambers Telephone: 1 868 622-2932 Email: aecgeneralsec@gmail.com Website: aecbishops.org
Press Release: Ad Limina and Annual Plenary Meeting - Rome, Italy. Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference 11th May, 2026 The Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have concluded a two-week pilgrimage to Rome marked by the Ad Limina Apostolorum Visit and the Annual Plenary Meeting of the Conference. From April 27 to May 2, 2026, the Bishops participated in the Ad Limina Apostolorum Visit, the mandatory pastoral pilgrimage during which bishops meet with the Holy Father and the Dicasteries and Offices of the Holy See. During the visit, the Bishops engaged in fruitful dialogue with numerous Vatican offices, including the Dicasteries for Laity, Family and Life; Clergy; Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Culture and Education; the Doctrine of the Faith; Promoting Integral Human Development; and the Promotion of Christian Unity. Meetings were also held with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the Secretariat of State, the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, and other key offices of the Holy See. The highlight of the visit was the audience with the Holy Father, which the Bishops described as profoundly enriching, encouraging, and deeply pastoral. The encounter strengthened their communion with the Successor of St. Peter and renewed their commitment to evangelization throughout the Caribbean region. The pilgrimage also included the celebration of Holy Mass at the four Major Basilicas of Rome: the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul. At St. Mary Major, the Bishops prayed at the tomb of the late Pope Francis, while at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul they renewed their commitment to apostolic ministry. The second week, from May 2 to May 8, 2026, focused on ongoing formation, spiritual renewal, pilgrimage, and the Annual Plenary Meeting of the AEC. Activities included a two-day workshop on synodal leadership facilitated by Fr. David McCallum, SJ; a retreat directed by Sr. Julie Peters, SSM; a pilgrimage to Assisi; and the business sessions of the Annual Plenary Meeting. Antilles Episcopal Conference 1