Kingstown St. Vincent May 21, 2026-Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday has condemned religious intolerance while reflecting on the historic persecution faced by the Spiritual Baptist community in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Speaking during National Spiritual Baptist Freedom Day celebrations at Independence Park on Thursday under the theme “75 and Alive”, Dr. Friday said the country must never return to an era where legislation restricted religious worship.
“Who can tell another person how to commune with God?” the Prime Minister told worshippers and visiting regional delegates. “Just think of how ludicrous the notion is that you would go to the point of creating legislation to seek to restrict something as powerful as faith.”
The observance commemorates the repeal of the colonial-era ban on the Spiritual Baptist faith, which was outlawed in 1912 under British colonial rule. The prohibition remained in place for decades before being repealed in 1951 after sustained resistance and advocacy by members of the church.
Dr. Friday described those colonial laws as “cruel and unjust”, praising Spiritual Baptists for persevering despite threats of criminal prosecution and social discrimination.
The Prime Minister also referenced parliamentary debates in August 2024, when lawmakers unanimously supported amendments establishing National Spiritual Baptist Freedom Day as a public holiday.
“This is not just a Spiritual Baptist holiday. It is our national holiday,” he said during the ceremony, noting that the observance recognises the role of Spiritual Baptists in shaping the country’s history, culture and identity.
The event at Independence Park drew members of the Spiritual Baptist community from across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, along with visiting church leaders from the Caribbean and North America.
Mr Friday said freedom of religion was now constitutionally protected but warned that tolerance must extend beyond legislation into everyday community life.
“We have to go further than that in our community at large to be more accepting and embracing of differences,” he said.
He added that matters of faith ultimately remained “between us and God”.
The Prime Minister also urged the Spiritual Baptist community to continue serving as a moral and spiritual guide during what he described as difficult times for society. “In these trying times, we need you more than ever,” he said, encouraging worshippers to continue supporting communities through acts of service, compassion and leadership.