Following a landmark legal decision that decriminalised same-sex intimacy in Saint Lucia, a leading voice in the local faith community has issued a passionate plea for national reflection and a return to biblical principles.
The ruling, handed down by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, struck down long-standing provisions in the Criminal Code that criminalised consensual same-sex relations. The court declared that the so-called “buggery” and “gross indecency” laws, inherited from the colonial era, were unconstitutional — a move widely welcomed by human rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates.
However, Pastor Roger Stephen, President of the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, has called for a different response: one rooted in spiritual self-examination. In a public statement following the ruling, Pastor Stephen acknowledged the legal scope of the decision but affirmed that the Church “remains committed to the unchanging authority of the word of God in matters of moral and spiritual conduct.”
Citing biblical scripture, he reiterated the Church’s stance on marriage and sexual ethics, stating that marriage is “a lifelong union between one man and one woman,” and that sexual intimacy is divinely intended to be “reserved exclusively for this sacred relationship.”
He added, “Practices that fall outside this divine ideal, including same-sex sexual relations, are not in harmony with God’s revealed will.”
Even as he stood firm on doctrine, Pastor Stephen emphasized the Church’s call to kindness and respect. “We are all children of God, broken in different ways,” he said. “The gospel call extends to all of us, for compassion, love, and respect, regardless of sexual orientation or choices in life.”
This response mirrors that of other religious leaders, including the Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire, Archbishop of Castries, who likewise maintained his Church’s teachings while affirming the inherent dignity of LGBTQ+ persons.
But Pastor Stephen went a step further, connecting the moment to broader societal decline. He warned, “When we align ourselves with God, we will become a blessed nation. Departing from His word brings mayhem.”
Calling for national renewal, he urged Saint Lucians to turn their attention inward and reflect on the values shaping society. “We call the nation back to God and His word,” he declared. “So we can have a better, more loving Saint Lucia, as it once used to be, with His blessing.”
The court’s decision marks a significant turning point in Saint Lucia’s legal landscape, however, Pastor Stephen’s appeal may well be an indication of further cultural and moral conversation concerning this monumental legal precedent amongst various actors in society in the coming weeks.