CARICOM’s diplomacy with the Vatican

By Michelle Nurse Last updated Aug 5, 2015

CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque greets the Vatican's envoy to CARICOM, H.E. Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, 30 July 2015 at the CARICOM Secretariat shortly before accepting his credentials. — CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque greets the Vatican’s envoy to CARICOM, H.E. Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, 30 July 2015, at the CARICOM Secretariat shortly before accepting his credentials.

IT HAS BEEN LONG in coming, but as the cliché goes, better late than never. I am referencing last week’s official announcement that our 15-member Caribbean Community and the Vatican have established diplomatic relations.

Irrespective of nationality or religion, our Community’s estimated 15 million citizens (with Haitians comprising more than half), would be aware that as part of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural region that bridges the ‘two Americas’, CARICOM deserves commendation for its forward diplomatic march, amid complex challenges for survival and relevance in a rapidly changing international environment.

The world has undergone fundamental political, economic, social and cultural changes since the inauguration of CARICOM in Trinidad and Tobago 42 years ago, followed by the phased dismantling of British colonialism over 53 years, first in Jamaica and some three weeks later for Trinidad and Tobago.