St. George’s, October 23, 2009 – Regional clergymen and women have been urged to support efforts at deeper Caribbean integration.

“The church touches the moral fabric of our societies and we must ensure that its influence is strongly felt in the integration process,’’ Grenada’s Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David told a group of Anglicans on Thursday.  They included The Right Rev. C. Leopold Friday, Bishop of the Windward Islands.

The Anglican Church representatives had gathered at the Pastoral Centre in the parish of St. John for a two-day Windward Islands Diocesan Clergy Conference under the theme, “Conceptualize, Revitalize, Evangelize.’’

During the closing session of the conference, Minister David and Cyrilla R. Steele – Senior Foreign Service Officer with responsibility for Caribbean matters – were asked to speak on the topic, “Free Movement of People, Labour and the Church.’’

Mr. David said the integration process is an issue very important to the government of Grenada.

“You may have noticed that at every opportunity available to this government, not only is the necessity of integration stressed,’’ the minister said, “but initiatives at the sub-regional and regional levels are welcomed, explored and supported at the policy level.’’

The Foreign Minister appealed to the clergy officials to “voice support for integration’’ and to preach about it.

Ms. Steele, in her presentation, said a “fully integrated’’ region under the Caribbean Single Markey Economy is vital to “survival and viability’’ of our countries.

“Free movement can bring a great deal of benefit to the peoples of the region by offering a larger job market,’’ Ms Steele said. “It positively facilitates the movement of the clergy to spread the word of God and promotes Christian principles and values among Caribbean peoples.’’

However, Ms. Steel admitted that at the moment, there is no complete free movement of professionals, including clergymen and women.  Members of the clergy wishing to travel to another territory fall into a Workers’ category that requires them to be university graduates. At the minimum, they must hold a Bachelor’s degree.

Like Minister David, Ms. Steele implored the clergy to lend its voice in support of regional integration.

“Preach about it, encourage your congregations to accept Caribbean unity as Christians,’’ said Ms. Steele. “Most of all, encourage them to promote Christian values as the foundation for free movement.’’