THE CATHOLIC RELIGION

HISTORY

Even though Columbus has been credited for introducing Catholicism in the Bahamas in 1492, Catholism was not established in the Bahamas as a Roman Catholic diocese until 5th July 1960. The Roman Catholic became a part of the Archdioceses of New York in 1885. Reverend Charles George O’ Keefe was responsible for organizing the islands first parish in Nassau.

In August of 1885, under Reverend Charles George O’ Keefe, the corner stone of the first Roman Catholic Church was laid. Mr. and Mrs. Ayde-Curran requested a permanent Priest for the Catholic Church in the Bahamas. Together Mr. and Mrs. Ayde-Curran and reverend O’ Keefe and other supports saw the first Catholic Church completed and dedicated on November 1886.

This church existed then and today as St. Francis Xavier Cathedral located on West Best Street in Nassau. St. Francis Xavier is the oldest Catholic Church in the Bahamas.

OTHER POINTS RELATING TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The first Bahamian Catholic Bishop is Reverend Patrick Pinder
The Roman Catholic Church became an archdiocese in the year 2000
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church is Pope Benedict 16th
The word ‘Pope’ (The Bishop of Rome) – Holy Father or Servant of God. He is believed to be the successor of St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome

The Pope resides in the Vatican City in Rome

The four marks of the Roman Catholic Church are as follows:
i. One(there can only be one church);
ii. Holy (Special chosen and set apart for God’s work);
iii. Catholic (Worldwide)
iv Apostolic (the church was founded by the apostles)

The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are as follows:
i. Baptism
ii. The Eucharist
iii. Confirmation
iv. Holy Order
v. Marriage
vi. Reconciliations
vii. Anointing the Sick

The Nicene Creed is the Belief Statement of the Roman Catholic Church written AD. 325 at the Council of Nicea as a Profession of Faith

The Catholic religion view the bread and wine in the mass as the actual body and blood of Jesus

The Roman Catholics believe that Marriage is Holy Sacrament ordained by God; therefore, they do not believe in divorce.

CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION
They operate 10 elementary schools in the Bahamas:
Holy Name (Bimini), Mary Star of the Sea (Freeport, Grand Bahama), Our Lady’s (Nassau), St. Anne’s (Rock sound, Eleuthera), St. Bede’s, (Nassau),St. Francis & St. Joseph’ (Nassau), St. Thomas Moore (Nassau),St. Francis De Sayles, (Abaco), Xavier’s Academy (Nassau)

They operate two high schools: Aquinas College (Nassau), and Grand Bahama Catholic High

SOCIAL OUTREACH

The Roman Catholic Church in the Bahamas, under Archbishop Lawrence A Burke has launched several youth and out reach programs. Some of the programs are:

BASIC (Brothers and Sisters In Christ)
TEC(To Encounter Christ)
CYA (Catholic Youth Alive)
MEJ(Mouvemen Euccharistik jen) developed in the Haitian Community
The Samaritans (A.I.D.S. Ministries)
The Emmaus Centre (Retreat House)
YEAST (Youth Empowerment and Skill’s Training)

They also help in the founding of the Agnes Hardecker Children’s Clinic
They also reach out to the community through Hospital and prison ministry