Letter of the Day | Reclaim the soul of our nation

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The way we offer care, love, and protection for the most vulnerable in society reveals the soul of the nation, which has been exposed, and what we see is frightening. It is clear to even those who give scant regard to national issues that the toxins of greed, bitterness, hate, revenge, and lack of reverence for God and for human life have taken up residence in the soul of our beloved nation.

The recent gruesome killing of Danielle Rowe, an innocent eight-year-old, has caused agonising pain to most Jamaicans. The Clarendon police are still investigating the murder of an elderly farmer, 73-year-old Winston Nelson, whose body was discovered at his home in Bellas Gate on February 22.

What is also heartrending is the report of an elderly woman in the vicinity of a shooting on May 28, who reportedly collapsed and was pronounced dead at the hospital due to fright.

It is clear that something has gone awry in this fair land.

At the heart of Jamaica’s high murder rate and blatant disregard for law and order are the disintegration of family life and the erosion of traditional values – respect for human life, love for neighbour, honesty, hard work, reverence for God, and protection of the most vulnerable.

The healing of a nation and the changing of a culture will require clear focus and long-term commitment. Below are some of the elements of the massive values education we need to undertake if we are to survive this turbulent period in our history:

1. The introduction of a family life and parenting course in all high schools;

2. A zero-tolerance approach to all crimes, including traffic infringements;

3. A collaboration of funding agencies and civic and church groups that have a real interest in community development;

4. A multiplying of government programmes that seek to empower young men;

5. Continued improvement of our justice system that will make our courts of law more accessible, affordable, and efficient;

6. A better use of sports and entertainment as a means of reducing social tension and building community cohesion;

7. Political, civic, business, and church leadership that is selfless, humble and courageous.

As a church, we confess that we have been, to a great extent, internally focussed, and need to recommit to ministry beyond the four walls of the church. Our community holds to the view that the forces that are at work against national wellness are spiritual, economic, social and psychological.

We, therefore, will earnestly pray against devilish forces and will rise from our knees and be present in our communities serving, preaching, listening, giving, guiding, challenging evil and promoting good. We recommit to our mandate to be salt and light in a society that is groping in darkness, as we seek to protect the young from evil and the elderly from fear.

ROY NOTICE

Bishop of The New Testament Church of God in Jamaica