As Saint Lucia reflects on another Carnival season, Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire is urging citizens to look beyond the music, costumes and celebrations and consider the values being communicated through the annual festivities.
In a recent statement made to the Archdiocese’s social media pages, Malzaire said he was not calling for an end to Carnival, but expressed concern about aspects of the celebrations that he believes are increasingly at odds with dignity, respect and the moral values society should seek to pass on to younger generations.
“In recent years, some aspects of carnival revelry have raised serious concerns,” the Archbishop said.
He highlighted the increasingly revealing nature of some Carnival costumes, particularly those worn by women, and the treatment of those participants by spectators and social media users.
“The increasing skimpiness of some costumes, especially those worn by women, often invites degrading comments from viewing spectators or on social media,” he said.
However, Malzaire stressed that his concern extends beyond the clothing itself.
“Yet our concern must go deeper than clothing,” he said. “Fundamentally, it is about the dignity people recognize within themselves, the respect they should rightly expect from others, and the moral message we collectively communicate to our children.”
He said Saint Lucians should be prepared to acknowledge the changes taking place within the culture surrounding Carnival.
“We must acknowledge honestly that what is displayed on our streets has become progressively more troubling,” Malzaire said.
The Archbishop grounded his concerns in Christian teachings, pointing to biblical passages concerning personal dignity and conduct.
He referenced 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which describes the body as “a temple of the Holy Spirit”, as well as Philippians 4:8, which calls on believers to focus their minds on what is good, upright, Honourable, praiseworthy, pure and true.
Malzaire nevertheless made clear that he does not believe Carnival itself should be discarded.
“This is not a call to discard Carnival,” he said.
He acknowledged the cultural and creative contribution of the festival, pointing to its ability to bring communities together and foster national pride.
“Indeed, Carnival contains many creative, enriching and uplifting elements,” he said.
“Its music, artistry, craftsmanship, pageantry, costumes and communal participation can inspire national pride and strengthen unity. These are gifts worth preserving.”
His message therefore centers on reflection rather than rejection, with the Archbishop encouraging Saint Lucians to consider how the country’s largest cultural celebrations can preserve their artistic and communal value while also upholding standards of dignity and respect.
Malzaire’s intervention comes as the island concludes another Carnival season, providing an opportunity for wider discussion about the cultural direction of the festival and the values it conveys to both participants and spectators.