Share this story
By Azara Lavia
[email protected]
Bishop Charlesworth E. Browne has called for Antigua and Barbuda’s National Independence Food Fair to be kept off Sundays, arguing that the annual event should not conflict with religious observance.
Speaking to Observer Media, the leader of Kingdom Leaders, Antigua, objected to the scheduling of this year’s fair for Sunday, 25 October, saying the decision had drawn criticism from church leaders and members of the Christian community.
“Recently, as the calendar of events were placed before the general public, here in Antigua and Barbuda, many church leaders, both ordained and lay – old and young, who embrace the sacredness of rest and worship on the Lord’s Day, expressed unbridled dismay at the National/Independence Food Fair being hosted on a Sunday – Sunday 25th October, 2026.”
Browne said his organisation had joined calls for the event to be rescheduled, while acknowledging that the appeal had come late.
“Kingdom Leaders, Antigua, like many in the larger Christian community, called for an immediate rescheduling of this year’s National Food Fair. The lateness of that call still does not affect the major issue. In any case, never again on the Lord’s Day!”
He also urged organisers to consider Saturday worship, particularly for Seventh-day Adventists, and said national events should respect established days of worship across denominations.
Browne proposed an alternative date for future Independence Food Fairs and urged planners to address potential conflicts before subsequent national celebrations.
Linking the issue to wider social challenges, he argued that the country needed a more consistent commitment to Christian values rather than relying solely on occasional national prayer and thanksgiving services.
“Truth be told, there is no quick fix by way of a National Day of Prayer nor by way of punctuated National Services of Thanksgiving and the like – there must be a call for consistency in consecration.”
He described consecration as a continuing spiritual commitment that could require personal sacrifice, including setting aside convenience and public approval.
“Today, in this awesome work of shepherding God’s people, I choose consecration over convenience in all things. In this case, the convenience of hosting a National Food Fair on a Sunday must resolutely give way to consecration. Selah.”