Top-level government meetings and a large “Festival of Religious Liberty” focused attention on issues of religious liberty for the Caribbean, reports Dr. John Graz, director of public affairs and religious liberty for Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Graz met with Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and Menissa Rambally, minister of social transformation, local government, culture and ecclesiastical affairs, who is also a member of the Adventist church. Graz commended the prime minister for the excellent record of St. Lucia in regards to religious freedom. Anthony expressed great interest in working to promote religious liberty. He also shared concerns about religious extremism and the necessity of churches working in harmony with each other for the good of the country. Graz was accompanied on the visit to St. Lucia by Clive Dottin, public affairs and religious liberty director for the church’s Caribbean Union, and Pastor Johnson Frederick, Dottin’s counterpart in St. Lucia.

The January 12 Festival of Religious Freedom brought together more than 1,000 Adventists in the Central Church in Castries. The program included lectures on historical, legal, and spiritual aspects of religious freedom, and much information was given about persecution occurring around the world. Several musicians and singers participated in this festival. “It was impressive to see the enthusiasm and the interest for religious freedom issues of the thousand people who spent all day at this festival,” said Graz.