Time to rebuild says Archbishop Gilbert

People are doing spiritual things but without heart and are eventually leaving the church, he told hundreds attending last weekend’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal’s 15th annual Caribbean conference at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Young and old gathered to sing, pray, listen, and associate with others from at least 20 Caribbean islands.

Gilbert, who closed the programme with Holy Mass yesterday, reminded followers that their lives should be in tune with God’s Word and ministry. He stated that many people’s lives are empty and unsettled, so they search for a sense of completeness.

Earlier that morning, Father Arnold Francis, an Antiguan now based in Trinidad, gave the talk entitled "Take Back the Nations." In it he highlighted the fact that children are searching for answers and are not finding any, and are therefore turning to drugs and alcohol for comfort. He encouraged parents to begin exercising authority over their children, to be firm with the standards set, and to teach them the Word of God — thereby gaining inner confidence.

He also told the audience to stop pointing fingers, "because we have all contributed in one way or another, to the way our society is today. God’s Word should bring comfort even to kidnappers, criminals, drug pushers. They especially need to hear His Word."