PM commends Baptists’ contributions to education, culture

2026-03-30 - 03:54

In celebration of Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is praising the Baptist community for their contribution to national development, as she asks them to pray for peace and unity for Trinidad and Tobago. In a release yesterday, she said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, I acknowledge with deep respect the enduring contribution of the Spiritual Baptist community to our country’s development. Your journey stands as a testament to the sustaining power of faith. As the Holy Bible affirms: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ (Psalm 46:1) That truth has sustained your community and continues to uplift our country. May God continue to bless you, your families, and your community, and may His hand always guide, protect and strengthen our beloved nation.” The Prime Minister added, “Today, the Spiritual Baptist community continues to make a substantial contribution to national life, strengthening communities and shaping our moral foundation through faith, service, and cultural expression, with its impact seen across education, public service, culture, healthcare and community life. At a time of serious national challenges, that example carries particular weight. I encourage the community to continue to uphold its traditions of faith, discipline, and service, and to lift our nation in prayer for peace, healing and unity.” Her message comes as the Baptist community celebrate two milestones. The release added, “On this Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day, I extend sincere greetings to the Spiritual Baptist community across Trinidad and Tobago as they commemorate two defining milestones: the 75th anniversary of the restoration of your freedom to worship and the 30th anniversary of this day’s designation as a national holiday. These anniversaries mark a decisive journey from prohibition to full recognition.” Reflecting on her own legacy, the Prime Minister highlighted the “tangible investment” made, especially when it comes to education for Baptists. “The repeal of the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance in 1951 ended a grave injustice. Full recognition, however, required national action, achieved in 1996 under a UNC government led by the late Basdeo Panday, during my tenure as Attorney General. One of the first acts of that government was to establish this national holiday, placing the Spiritual Baptist faith in its rightful position of honour. In doing so, Trinidad and Tobago set a global precedent and remains the only country to have accorded this level of national recognition. That commitment was strengthened during my tenure as Prime Minister (2010–2015) with the establishment of the St Barbara’s Spiritual Baptist Primary School, ensuring that recognition was matched by tangible investment in education.”