Leaders seek divine help

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Caribbean religious and political figures met here on Sunday for a three-hour regional inter-faith service ahead of a forum that they hope will help formulate a strategic plan for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

They are also hoping that the event will begin a process among faith-based organisations within the region aimed at transforming the social fabric of the Community.

Host Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who spearheaded the initiative for the regional inter-faith conference, told the congregation at the St John's Pentecostal Church that he was certain that the Lord had "brought us here and the forum was a historic occasion (and) we start off by worshipping together".

He described the one-day forum, held yesterday, as "a very important event" that would place religion in "the future of this region".

Importance of religion

CARICOM chairman and prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, said religion played an important role in the life of Caribbean people.

"The Caribbean nations are founded in the supremacy of God and we are here today to reaffirm the fact that we are founded in the supremacy of God," he said, adding that there was nothing more joyous "to hear our people in the Caribbean in praise of our God and Saviour".