Ad Limina Visit of the Episcopal Conference of the Antilles

On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, the Bishops from to the Episcopal Conference of the Antilles, were received at the offices of the Dicastery, on the occasion of the their “Ad limina Apostolorum” visit.

The territory of the Episcopal Conference comprises numerous geographical regions inhabited by diverse ethnic groups, with different languages and cultures. Adverse climatic conditions, in particular the frequent passage of hurricanes, often leave communities without churches in which to gather for prayer and the celebration of the sacraments. Consequently, liturgical life is varied and often distinguished by vibrancy and strong musical expression, with the use of different languages, including non-codified ones.

Another dimension of liturgical life, which at the same time constitutes a pastoral challenge, concerns the inculturation of the Roman Rite and the risk of religious syncretism, deriving above all from new Pentecostal movements, which emphasize the emotional, spontaneous, and expressive elements of the rites celebrated, to the detriment of a deeper spiritual experience. As a remedy to this risk, the Bishops indicated the growing need for adequate and ongoing liturgical formation.

Finally, the Bishops examined questions relating to the translation of liturgical books, the need to have a translation of the Bible “ad usum liturgicum”, and the approval of particular calendars.