St Vincent and the Grenadines is the second country in the Caribbean to declare a National Holiday for the Spiritual Baptist Faith.
The historic Bill was passed in Parliament on August 27th 2024. The Parliament was unanimous on the passage of the Bill with support from both sides of the House of Assembly.
The colonial government on October 1st 1912 outlawed the Spiritual Baptist religion through the Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance. This made it illegal for members to practice their faith and they suffered years of persecution.
The law was repealed on March 22nd 1965 by the E. T Joshua-led Legislative Council which passed Ordinance Number 7 of 1965 to remove the 1912 legal ban.
However, May 21st 1951 has always been observed by members of the Spiritual Baptist Faith as their Liberation Day, following the victory of a court case where they were represented by Former Premier Hon. Robert Milton Cato.
The Spiritual Baptist faith is a syncretic Afro-Caribbean religion that originated among Afro-Caribbean communities in the plantations of the former British West Indies, particularly in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, and the Virgin Islands.
It blends Christianity with traditional African beliefs and practices. Despite its unique rituals and traditions, followers of the Spiritual Baptist faith identify fully as Christians.
