In a nation grappling with profound economic distress and geopolitical uncertainty, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon delivered a powerful Christmas message of hope during Mass at Sacred Heart RC Church in Port of Spain. The spiritual leader acknowledged the unprecedented challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago this holiday season, citing widespread food insecurity and national anxiety as defining features of this traditionally joyous period.
Economic realities have cast a long shadow over celebrations, with parliamentary representatives reporting thousands of desperate requests for food hampers and assistance cards from constituents across eastern Trinidad regions including Arima, Sangre Grande, and Tunapuna. Charitable organizations faced overwhelming demand, with the Salvation Army distributing approximately 1,000 hampers in mid-December while acknowledging their capacity fell far short of actual need.
Compounding these domestic concerns, Archbishop Gordon addressed the geopolitical tensions reshaping Trinidad’s regional position. Recent months have witnessed significant US military engagement in the southern Caribbean, including the October arrival of the USS Gravely destroyer, November visits by Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, military drills with US Marines, and the installation of advanced radar systems in Tobago. These developments have placed the nation at the center of international media attention, with Gordon noting the unusual experience of seeing Trinidad featured prominently on global news networks.
The Archbishop referenced Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s November statement supporting US military action against narco traffickers, which alongside the reported elimination of over 100 alleged traffickers off Venezuela’s coast, has positioned Trinidad among Caribbean nations backing US military initiatives. This new reality has generated genuine fear among citizens accustomed to observing international conflicts from a distance.
Despite acknowledging the isolation affecting both youth and elderly populations, Gordon maintained an unwavering message of hope, drawing from biblical teachings about light overcoming darkness. He encouraged those experiencing joy to cherish it, while offering comfort to those feeling anxious or afraid by emphasizing the transformative power of hope in challenging times.