There is still much agitation within the Adventist denomination and the wider nation as to how appropriate it is to appoint an ordained minister as governor general.

In his capacity as pastor, Dr Patrick Allen would have been exposed to and involved in many community-based initiatives that I have no doubt, will give him an advantage in reaching out to the hurting heart and soul of this nation's poor and downtrodden people. I am hoping that the kind of sympathy and care he showed as a pastor will be transferred to his new role.

Community pastor

The Adventist pastor is not just pastor to the church group which he oversees; he pastors all the communities in and around that church. Therefore, when the community has a crisis or need, most times, the pastor is the first on spot to offer help.

These experiences I think will help to make Allen the kind of leader of this nation who knows what goes on at the grass roots of our society and, therefore, should place him in a position to sympathise and empathise with the needs of Jamaicans. I wish him a good tenure as governor general.

I am, etc.,

DAVE MCFARLANE

nerdav@anngel.com

Denham Farm

Christiana P.O.

Manchester