Bishop Rivas urges youth to put Christ first

“My dream for you as young people of the Caribbean is that you would learn to put Christ first in your lives and that Christ would influence everything that you do.”

This was the call made by Chairman of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) Youth Commission, Bishop Robert Rivas as he addressed the large gathering at the closing ceremony of the AEC Youth Assembly 2003, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, yesterday. Stating that one of the great expectations of the Assembly was that the faith of all persons may be deepened and  enriched through their encounter with Christ, Rivas urged youths from all over region to know Christ and to commit their lives to Him more intimately. Revealing that it was his dream, as well as many of the bishops in the Conference, to see young people giving of their time and talent to serve the Church as missionaries both through long and short-term commitments. “Having young people serving as missionaries in our region will bring vitality to the life of our local churches,” noted Rivas.

Roman Catholic Archbishop of PoS, Edward Gilbert, in a message published in a brochure to mark the occasion of the Assembly, described the Caribbean Youth Assembly 2003 as, “...both a sign of and a cause of Catholic Solidarity in the Caribbean Church.” Adding that the Assembly provided an opportunity for regional pastoral planning, as well as spiritual renewal and growth in mutal understanding, Archbishop Gilbert said this could take place “through careful listening and respectful dialogue.” The theme of this year’s conference was “Do whatever He tells you, what more must I do,” and included delegates from 15 Caribbean countries.