AS Jamaica prepares to celebrate 50 years of Independence from British rule, chairman of the Church of God in Jamaica, Reverend Lenworth Anglin, has issued a call for the breaking down of the walls of divisiveness so as to facilitate reconciliation and the rebuilding of the country.
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Rev Anglin, who is also the convener of the Umbrella Group of Churches of Jamaica, made the call during yesterday's 32nd staging of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.
The event saw Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition Leader Andrew Holness in attendance. Also present were other national, religious, corporate and civic leaders who gathered for spiritual empowerment and fellowship.
"We admit with shame that some of our history also informs us that some of our own people have done everything possible to divide us as a people. The nation laments and regrets acts and policies and practices of discrimination and victimisation that cause inequality," he said.
"We lament the viciousness that has characterised stages of our history, especially over the last 50 years since independence," noted the reverend, even as he pointed to the recent election and the reduction in crime and violence as signs that the walls were being broken down.
The reverend said he was sensitive to the issue of Christian dogmatism and was keen to acknowledge that while the Christian community enjoyed much influence in what is considered a pluralistic nation, this too needed revisiting.
"The church will be respectful of other points of view but be mindful of our unique role," he said.
Sir Patrick Allen, in his presentation, said he too was happy with the fact that Jamaicans were uniting for the good of the nation.
"We are one people under God and we must join forces to rebuild Jamaica land we love," he said.
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SOURCE: Jamaica Observer
NADINE WILSON
