Sean Major-Campbell | The voice of the Church when politics is in freefall

WHAT SHOULD the voice of the Church do when the rules of engagement have been adjusted in the national discourse ahead of general elections? Who else notices the new rules of engagement?

The new rules are as follows:

1. Call for an apology if you do not like what you are hearing.

2. Ignore any calls for an apology.

3. Call for a resignation from your opponent while using strong condemnatory language.

4. Ignore any calls for your resignation.

5. Choose sides when there is concern from wider civil society and ensure that there is division between the people and civil society calls for justice and accountability.

6. Always hold your political bias even if an unprincipled stance is being advanced by your side.

7. That your party wins the general elections is much more important than that Jamaica wins.

8. Show public support for the JCF only when it is politically expedient to do so.

9. Always play the race/colour card if it appeals to the base.

10. Oppose for opposing sake so long as it falls in line with public sentiment; and remember to remain silent if people lack interest in the subject, important though this might be.

The new rules are sacrosanct. This is what the people want. On the international scene, truth is whatever you want it to be. And it is okay to demean one group of people. Just remember that they should be in a minority group in terms of numbers unless they are “people of colour”.

Different civil society groups have different foci. This is understandable since such emphasis does take many resources if advocacy is to be effectively served. However, the Church ought of necessity to speak fearlessly to matters of justice and good governance. After all, the kingdom of God, the reign of God is always consistent with the prevalence of justice.

It is not enough to just accept something just because it happens in law. Understandably, our courts may only act in accordance with our laws. Who will advocate though for those entering our shores illegally when they are trying to escape the nightmare of poverty, crime, and bloodshed in their homeland?

Who among us would want to hear the shocking news that a loved one is imprisoned due to immigration issues abroad? And note that many Jamaicans who have overstayed visas abroad, did so not because they were running from a nightmare. So many continue to visit with much joy upon successfully regularising their immigration status. Many have also bought homes back in Jamaica; some with the intention of retiring here. Many are still maintaining that “no we no betta dan yaad”.

Many politicians claim spirituality or religious faith. Maybe as the Church celebrates Pentecost, the coming of Holy Spirit after Christ’s ascension, we should pray for an outpouring of grace on our political servants. We also need the Church to be more open to the leading of Holy Spirit.

Tongues of fire empower everyone to speak for the common good. Tongues of fire speak for truth. Tongues of fire speak to enlighten the listeners. Tongues of fire are clearly understood by all. There is no need for apologists and political wizards to decipher what was meant by a speaker on the campaign trail.

The Church continues to pray for those in government, inclusive of the parliamentary opposition. In Jamaica, we do well to remember that political servants are our fellow Jamaicans whose success, whether in government or Opposition is in our best interest. It should be our collective prayer and will that the various arms of the political machinery do well.

The Church in a hostile environment has a bounden duty to operate in the best interest of social and economic justice, remembering that consumer capitalism is antithetical to kingdom values of compassion for the weak and the oppressed. When concerns of integrity and corruption are the king and queen, being frantically moved around as in a game of chess, one may soon find the knights, rooks, bishops, and pawns falling quickly under the weight of failed strategies.

Where is the will and the zeal for a Jamaican republic? Where is the quest for Jamaica’s final appellate court being the Caribbean Court of Justice? Where is the national call for reparatory justice? Who will keep alive the place of a national human rights institution in a free and democratic society? The ethical dynamics around governance issues and human rights concerns ought of necessity to come from the voices that would proclaim a prophetic word.

Anyway, to return to reality, much of those issues just mentioned will be on hold as we focus energy on placing political flags on utility poles, wear the T-shirts, get ready for the party jingles, and return to the rules above.

Let us pray though for those in public trust and authority:

We pray for sound government. O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care.

We pray for the governor general, the prime minister and members of the Cabinet, the parliamentary Opposition, the president of the Senate and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties. Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

We pray for the chief justice, all the judges and officers of our courts that they may be given understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served. Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society, that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honour your holy name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer)