Leaders pray for peace

Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's political leaders sought spiritual guidance yesterday when they gathered alongside church elders in the mid-island town of Mandeville, Manchester, to offer up prayers for a nation caught up in the throes of a worsening crime wave.

Hundreds crammed the auditorium of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville where, during a two-hour long National Prayer Service, past sins were publicly confessed, and supplications and a plea made to God for the restoration of peace to a strife-torn land which has seen nearly 900 of its citizens killed violently since the start of the year.

Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke had earlier on October 5, through a proclamation, declared yesterday and today special days of prayer for unity. The initiative of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson was endorsed by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga.

In a rare public display of solidarity, both men sat side by side, chatted with each other, were prayed for together and shook hands before the service ended with the singing of the National Anthem.

Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of NCU, urged the many politicians present to lead by example because "we (the people) have legitimised you by our votes ... And we expect you, under God, to provide us with good strong leadership."

Bishop Ronald Blair, chairman of the Committee of National Religious Services, organisers of the event, encouraged those in the hustings for political office to be like David and Jonathan of Biblical fame. He noted that although Jonathan knew he would lose the throne to David, he bore no ill will towards him and remained his best friend to his death.

Although there was a cessation with no political killings reported for several years, things took a turn for the worse when political violence broke out between neighbouring West Kingston communities earlier this year. It has since spread to parts of East Kingston, namely Mountain View Avenue and has claimed several lives since.

With Joel 2: 12-18 as her text, a passage of scripture which speaks to the rending of one's heart in a show of acknowledging one's sins, Bishop Carmen Stewart, Custos of St. Andrew, in her prayer of confession urged the gathering not to be concerned with the outward expression of tearing one's garment.

In his prayer of supplication, Bishop Donald Roberts, Chairman of the Mandeville Ministers' Fraternal, asserted that "sinfulness was the cause of the political, economic and social problems" faced by the country. He said repentance will lead to recovery, but stressed that "dependence on God" must become the lifestyle of those who repent.

Both Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga, like the rest of the congregation held hands during the prayer of supplication.

Yesterday's prayer service was attended by a bevy of senior politicians including Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke, Transport and Works Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, Health Minister and MP for Central Manchester John Junor, Labour Minister Donald Buchanan, and Mining and Energy Minister Robert Pickersgill. Three other Manchester MPs were also present. Dean Peart, his brother Michael and Opposition MP Audley Shaw.

Mr. Seaga was accompanied by his wife Carla, deputy leader of the JLP Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Edmund Bartlett, and former JLP MP Neville Gallimore.

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