Donna-Marie Rowe, Freelance Writer
The following is the conclusion of a two-part series in which we asked religious leaders about their expectations of the new Government
SOME church leaders are anticipating a call soon from the new Government administration. The church foresees that the Government will need its assistance with its mission of peace, prosperity and justice. After all, the tenets of this agenda mirror, to a large extent, those of the church.
But interestingly, church leaders who were contacted last week were either off the island, in retreats, preparing for retreats or were not prepared to say what their expectations were of the new Government administration.
When the Government extends its invitation for involvement in specific programmes, will the church be in a position to respond appropriately to the call? The main concerns expressed by heads of churches so far have been crime and violence, unemployment and corruption.
Adding his voice to the list of expectations, Acting Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church (UPC), Reverend Windell Rankine, said the Government must focus on "a reduction in the crime rate, creation of more job opportunities for the unemployed in the society, the elimination of corruption among persons holding high public offices, and calling a halt to the spread of immorality."
Reverend Rankine pointed specifically, however, to the responsibility of fathers in family life. His hope is that the Government will put in place a mechanism that will make men take responsibility for their children.
In his response, Archbishop of Kingston, Edgerton Clarke, hoped that the new administration would work together for unity in the country and for the welfare of the nation as well as justice for all.
Expressing how he saw the church playing a role in the process toward unity, Archbishop Clarke said, "I certainly hope that we can be good partners to assist in the effort and that we would share a common vision. The development of the people is very important to me and I certainly believe the church and its outreach programmes can help in the process."
Archbishop Clarke noted that it is important for persons to meet with the communities and sit with them to find out what is making them go out there with guns.
"When I speak of the church, I'm not talking about just the Catholic church, but all churches," the Archbishop pointed out, adding that the church faces some of the dangers as well. It is his desire that the Government will "back us up in areas where we are not adequately equipped."
