Jamaican-born Anglican bishop Rt. Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin calls for unity between Jamaicans at home and abroad
Bishop Hon. Conrad Pitkin (right), Custos of St James, has the rapt attention of Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin (centre), Suffragan Bishop of Dover and Bishop of Canterbury, Church of England, who delivered the sermon at the church service to mark the start of the 11th Biennial Diaspora Conference June 14. Also listening keenly is Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (second from left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Richard Vernon (second from right), Mayor of Montego Bay, and Earl Jarrett (left), CEO of The Jamaica National Group and co-chair of the conference.
Key Points(5)
- Jamaicans locally and overseas must work more closely as a single community to strengthen national resilience and expand the country’s global voice, Jamaican-born Anglican bishop Rt.
- Rose Hudson-Wilkin said during the opening of the 11th Jamaica Diaspora Conference.
- Delivering the sermon at an official service held at Calvary Baptist Church, Hudson-Wilkin said the diaspora and local population together represent a combined national strength that should be better harnessed.
- The service marked the start of the conference, which is being held under the theme “Diaspora Partnerships: Re-Building a More Resilient Jamaica.” Drawing on Jamaica’s National Anthem and National Pledge, Hudson-Wilkin said the country’s civic symbols reflect the resilience of its people.
- “Both the anthem and pledge act as a reminder of who we are as a people — not just any people, but a resilient people,” she said, adding that Jamaicans have long been recognized for achievements in culture, sports, and advocacy.
Jamaicans locally and overseas must work more closely as a single community to strengthen national resilience and expand the country’s global voice, Jamaican-born Anglican bishop Rt. Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin said during the opening of the 11th Jamaica Diaspora Conference.
Delivering the sermon at an official service held at Calvary Baptist Church, Hudson-Wilkin said the diaspora and local population together represent a combined national strength that should be better harnessed.
The service marked the start of the conference, which is being held under the theme “Diaspora Partnerships: Re-Building a More Resilient Jamaica.”
Drawing on Jamaica’s National Anthem and National Pledge, Hudson-Wilkin said the country’s civic symbols reflect the resilience of its people. “Both the anthem and pledge act as a reminder of who we are as a people — not just any people, but a resilient people,” she said, adding that Jamaicans have long been recognized for achievements in culture, sports, and advocacy.
She also referenced biblical scripture from Deuteronomy, urging Jamaicans not to forget the struggles that shaped their history. She said reflection on past challenges is essential to understanding present progress and future responsibilities.
“We too need to pause to reflect,” she said, noting that the diaspora conference offers a chance to assess “the distance we have travelled” and the collective journey of Jamaicans at home and abroad.
Hudson-Wilkin estimated Jamaica’s global community at roughly six million people — about three million locally and three million overseas — and said greater organization and collaboration could significantly increase national impact.
She also emphasized the importance of global solidarity, referencing the concept of “ubuntu” — “I am because you are” — to underscore shared humanity and responsibility beyond national borders.
That perspective, she said, includes concern for global crises. She pointed to conflicts and humanitarian challenges in regions including Haiti, Sudan, the Middle East, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, urging Jamaicans to “care about each other” wherever injustice occurs.
“We have to care about what’s happening in Cuba… Haiti… Sudan… the Middle East,” she said. “We share a common humanity.”
The opening service was attended by conference delegates, government officials, and sponsors, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of State Alando Terrelonge, and Jamaica National Group CEO Earl Jarrett.
The 11th Jamaica Diaspora Conference is scheduled to conclude on Thursday with a Day of Service.
