Government to Partner With Churches and Other Faith-Based Organizations to Help Reach Society’s Vulnerable and Disadvantaged

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 19, 2022 (SKNIS): Partnership with churches and other faith-based organizations in St. Kitts and Nevis will be enhanced in 2023 as the Government seeks to collaborate with the church as a social partner in helping to improve the overall conditions of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in society.

The agenda of the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs in 2023 identifies skills training, enhancing counselling techniques, and bolstering the vibrancy of existing faith-based programmes as priorities.

As a predominantly Christian society, the government intends to designate a specific day when faith-based institutions are strongly encouraged to offer services inviting national reflection.

“We are going to identify a day that is going to be a day known to Kittitians and Nevisians as the day of praying and fasting for the Nation and for families,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Ecclesiastical and Faith-based  Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, proposing the last day of January as a possible date.

Similar observances in the past have been done during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, national tragedies or disasters.

In making his presentation to the Budget Debate on December 16, 2022, Dr. Hanley said that he was excited by the prospect of leading the Ministry and making a difference.

“We are going to be bringing all of our pastors, ministers of religion, leaders of faith together, whether in a forum, a conference or whatever, to share their vision or what they think they can contribute differently towards nation building,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Persons who reduced their church attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic because of social distancing are strongly encouraged to return to in-person services as the virus is moving towards becoming endemic.