Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

The Rev. Wellesley Blair (left) is not short of smiles after presenting a book detailing the history of the church to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her husband Errald at the New Testament Church of God's 82nd annual national convention at Rodons Pen, Old Harbour, St. Catherine, yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday used a mass church setting to rebuke Opposition Leader Bruce Golding for comments foreboding intensified political tensions, insisting that Jamaicans were not "irredeemably violent".

Simpson Miller, who spoke at the 82nd annual national convention of the New Testament Church in Rodons Pen, Old Harbour, St. Catherine, hit back at criticisms that the uncharacteristically long election campaign period, climaxing with an August 27 poll, could result in bloodshed.

"It is a blot on our reputation when we signal to the world that we do not believe that we can have a seven-week election period that is peaceful and violence free," the Prime Minister told thousands of fired-up Pentecostals.

"I pray for the day that we will have the political maturity that if even if the election period is long, we can conduct it peacefully, rather than be worrying about violence," she said.

Golding was among those who first enunciated concerns that a lengthy campaign period could aggravate political tensions.

In what appeared to be a thinly veiled jab at Golding, whose party has been in opposition since 1989, Simpson Miller told the convention that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) had conveyed no fears about political violence when it kick-started its campaign last year.

"I remember the Leader of the Opposition leading his campaign for over a year and we had no violence, so why should we have violence in seven weeks?" the Prime Minister asked.

Even before the elections were announced, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas and members of the Peace Management Initiative hinted at a possible violent general election. They claimed they had enough information to suggest that guns were being stockpiled in certain hot spots to influence the vote.

"You the Christians must watch us as leaders and those wanting to lead this country," the Prime Minister urged the congregants.

Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair has been called upon several times in recent weeks to intervene in political conflicts. The local policehave also been kept busy investigating acts of political intimidation.

At least two recent deaths and one incident of arson have been blamed on political tension. Also, supporters of both the ruling People's National Party (PNP) and the JLP have been attacked on the campaign trail.

Simpson Miller, who has waxed increasingly religious since campaigning for the PNP presidency and assuming prime ministership, asked God's protection of the Jamaican people.

"I want to declare today that I rebuke every violent force, every violent thought and every violent death. I declare peace through the power of Pentecost," the Prime Minister said.

When she announced the general election in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, last week, Simpson Miller asked the Church to pray for the nation between July 31 and August 6.

The Rev. Wellesley A. Blair, the chief bishop for the New Testament Church of God, agreed that Jamaica was desperate for spiritual cleansing.

"We must have 40 days of consecration and heart searching," said the bishop, whom Simpson Miller says is one of her spiritual advisers. "This cleansing period will start on September 1.

"If revival comes to Jamaica, Madam Prime Minister, the Government would have to find jobs for policemen and soldiers, for all thieves will be saved, all criminals will be saved, all gunmen, rapists, sodomites, everybody will be saved," Bishop Blair said.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com