Church takes to the streets

A coalition of religious leaders will be hitting the streets across the island today for a national day of repentance, renewal, reconciliation, and healing.

The religious leaders, under the Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches, which represents 94 per cent of the churches in the island, will air national broadcasts as part of a recently announced plan for the rebirth of the country.

In addition, the church leaders will stage mass meetings in six parishes in what has been dubbed a time of praise, prayer, and proclamation.

Convenor of the umbrella group, the Reverend Lenworth Anglin, says the church leaders have already received the endorsement of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller.

According to Anglin, this is just one of the initiatives to be implemented by the church groups as they push for a rebirth of the nation.

He says the church groups will also embark on a series of meetings with political, civic, and business leaders; visits to schools; and meetings with secular and gospel musicians.

The church groups have also vowed to increase their role in providing education at all levels, and to present measures to help curb crime and violence.

National Day of Repentance meeting places:

1) Half-Way Tree Square

2) Edgewater roundabout in Portmore St Catherine

3) May Pen Square

4) Mandeville Square

5) Sam Sharp Square

6) Morant Bay Square