Catholicism in parts of the Rupununi came from Santa Rosa 

Confirmation and vow celebrations at Santa Rosa 

According to oral narratives and also documented history, the feast of St. John celebrated on June 24th each year was brought to the Rupununi by the Arawaks of Santa Rosa. This feast is celebrated by most Catholics of the Rupununi every year. It is also celebrated in neighbouring Brazil and the Catholics of the Rupununi working over there are also exposed to the solymn religious celebration.

Other significant contributions from the Santa Rosa Catholic Church to the indigenous people of the Rupununi was that they served as catechists and teachers who taught in the Primary Schools. Mr. Stephen Campbell, Guyana´s first Amerindian Parliamentarian, was among the first pioneers who served as catechist in the village of Sawariwau in the South among the Wapichans.

Under generous, hard-working persons like him and others who came later, along with the local indigenous teachers of the Rupununi, primary education flourished. It was an education grounded in Christian values and academics, and it produced brilliant Amerindians and prepared them for the advent of Guyana´s independence.

However, over the years the Catholic Church in Santa Rosa has itself undergone transformations from being the dominant one, to now trying to work with other Churches in the community. There are several other Christian groups that have been established and are growing in numbers in Moruca. At the same time the population has increased to approximately ten thousand, making it one of the oldest and biggest in terms of population size in the interior of Guyana.

The introduction of new ideas and experiences brought changes to the local culture and many challenges as well. In spite of this, many devoted Catholics have remained faithful to the Church while others have sought other paths, but live in understanding and harmony with each other.

It is a joy to look back and reflect on how the Catholic Church has contributed positively to the lives of the Morucans, while it also recognized her faults. The good has overweighed the bad by far. On this note I would like to wish a happy Bicentenary celebration to the people of Santa Rosa which they observe on April 1st 2018!

Bible study class Maruranau Village ( Photo credit: Medino Abraham)