Page "History of Trinidad and Tobago" Paragraph 20

In 1687 the Catalonian Capuchin friars were given responsibility for the conversion of the indigenous population of Trinidad and Tobago and the Guianas.

In 1713 the missions were handed over to the secular clergy.

Due to shortages of missionaries, although the Missions were established they often went without Christian instruction for long periods of time.

Tensions between priests and Amerindians led to the Arena Massacre of 1699, wherein the Amerindians murdered the priests.

After being hunted by the Spanish, the survivors are reported to have committed suicide by jumping off cliffs into the sea.