The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Home
  • The President
    • Christine Carla Kangaloo
    • Role and Function
      • Extracts from the Constitution
    • The President’s House
    • Greeting the President
    • History of the Presidency
    • Did You Know?
  • Trinidad and Tobago
    • National Anthem
    • National Symbols
    • National Holidays and Festivals
    • State Structure
    • National Awards
      • National Awards Ceremony
      • Database of National Awardees
  • News & Events
    • Press Releases
    • Presentations of Credentials
    • Courtesy Calls
    • Appointments
    • Messages and Speeches
    • Other Events
    • Photo Galleries
  • Contact

Select Page

Message on Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day 2025

Mar 30, 2025

Message on Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day 2025

Fellow citizens,

Resilience is the ability to adapt successfully in the face of adversity. It is more¬—much more—than just the ability to endure. A resilient people know that they will rise above every challenge that life presents. They know that they have the wherewithal to remain steadfast and to persist, even when the road ahead seems impossible. A resilient people never lose sight of their goals and remain committed to achieving a brighter, more hopeful future.

This spirit of resilience is exactly what the Spiritual Baptist faithful embodied, when on November 16, 1917, the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance of 1917 came into being, denying them the freedom to worship, congregate and practise their beliefs. This oppressive law, along with the public persecution they faced, was designed to undermine the legitimacy of their faith and reinforce the colonial disdain for African customs and traditions.

Fortunately for all of us, Spiritual Baptists did not yield to colonial pressure. They were resilient. They held fast to their faith, meeting secretly and enduring all manner of harassment and humiliation. After years of struggle and agitation, their efforts bore fruit in 1951 – as resilience often does – when the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance was finally repealed. That victory was not the end of their fight; rather, it only fuelled their continued pursuit of religious freedom, and in 1996, Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day was declared.

The struggle of the Spiritual Baptist community for recognition, justice, dignity and freedom is, at one and the same time, a source of justifiable national pride as it is of tremendous inspiration. The story of Spiritual Baptists is the story of the true power of resilience, perseverance and commitment to a common cause. As a nation, we would do well to emulate and model their example. As our country faces our own struggles and challenges, the model of the Spiritual Baptists movement is available to us to draw from the wells of our inner strength and to stare down, as they did, the perils and the dangers that confront us. Much like the Spiritual Baptists, our success as a nation hinges on our recognising and accepting that resilience is not a solitary endeavour—it is the collective effort of a people standing together, supporting one another and working in harmony toward a brighter, more prosperous future.

The challenges we face today may not be the same as those faced by the Spiritual Baptists, but their example of resilience remains relevant, perhaps more now than ever before. As we observe Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day this year, let us honour the Spiritual Baptist faith by embracing and embodying their example of resilience. Let us commit to standing together and surmounting every obstacle in our path as we work towards building a country of which we can all be proud and glad.

I extend to the Spiritual Baptist community and all citizens of our nation best wishes for a safe, happy and joyous celebration of Spiritual Baptist Liberation Shouter Day.

Share:

PreviousMessage on Eid-ul-Fitr
NextCondolences on the Passing of Mark Loquan O.R.T.T.

Related Posts

Her Excellency Declares Open the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games

Her Excellency Declares Open the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games

August 4, 2023

Statement on the Passing of retired Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy

Statement on the Passing of retired Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy

April 6, 2024

Farewell Courtesy Call from Outgoing Indian High Commissioner

Farewell Courtesy Call from Outgoing Indian High Commissioner

February 5, 2019

Remarks from Her Excellency at the Bestowal of Status of Senior Counsel on 13 Attorneys at Law

Remarks from Her Excellency at the Bestowal of Status of Senior Counsel on 13 Attorneys at Law

June 17, 2024

Facebook Feed

Cover for The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
20,493
The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

The official Facebook Page of The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

1 week ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#HappeningNow The third and final stop of the day has brought Their Excellencies to the San Rafael RC Primary School as they continue their educational outreach programme on the Presidency. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

1 week ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#Happeningnow The Brazil RC Primary School is the second stop of the day for Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia, SC, First Gentleman, on today’s visit to schools in the St George East Education District. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

1 week ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#HappeningNow The Office of the President's School Visit programme continues today, Thursday 29th May, 2025, as Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, visit schools in the St. George East Education District. The first stop of the day is at the Talparo RC Primary School and the Mundo Nuevo RC Primary School which are both housed on the same compound. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

1 week ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
On Tuesday 27 May, 2025, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, met with Senator the Honourable Wade Mark, President of the Senate at The President’s House.As outlined in Section 27 of the Constitution, the President of the Senate is entrusted with the responsibility of acting as President in the absence or illness of the Head of State. Her Excellency extended heartfelt congratulations to Senator Mark on his appointment and expressed her best wishes as he assumes this significant role. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

1 week ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
Excitement filled the air during recent student tours of The President’s House and grounds! This week, the Office of the President was delighted to welcome students from:📚 St. Dominic’s R.C. School, Morvant📚 Poole River Presbyterian Primary School📚 Arima Girls’ R.C. SchoolDuring their visit, the students had the unique opportunity to witness parts of the Presentation of Credentials ceremonies taking place at The President’s House on that day. Some students were even fortunate enough to meet and interact with Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, following the conclusion of one of the ceremonies. 🇹🇹📸 Take a look at some memorable moments from their visit!Click the links below to view the full photo albums:🔗 St. Dominic’s R.C. School, Morvant: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCfT6y🔗 Poole River Presbyterian Primary School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg2Yo🔗 Arima Girls’ R.C. School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg4xw ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Categories

  • Appointments
  • Courtesy Calls
  • Featured
  • Galleries
  • Media Releases
  • Messages and Speeches
  • Multimedia
  • News & Events
  • Other Events
  • Presentations of Credentials
  • Publications
  • Videos

  • THE PRESIDENT
  • Christine Carla Kangaloo
  • Role and Function
  • Extracts from the Constitution
  • The President’s House
  • Forms of Address
  • History of the Presidency
  • Did You Know?

  • TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
  • National Anthem
  • National Symbols
  • National Holidays and Festivals
  • State Structure
  • National Awards
  • Ceremony
  • Database/Past Ceremonies

  • NEWS AND EVENTS
  • Press Releases
  • Messages and Speeches
  • Appointments
  • Presentations of Credentials
  • Courtesy Calls
  • Other Events
  • Galleries

Contact

President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Office of the President
Circular Road
St Ann’s
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Telephone: (868) 225-4687
Email: otp.mail@otp.gov.tt

Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress