Pastor calls for tough laws

Pastor of the Hope United Church, Dr. Roderick Hewitt has called for tough laws against corruption in the society.



Speaking this morning at 29th annual national leadership prayer breakfast in Kingston, Reverend Hewitt bemoaned the inequity in the society, charging that the rich and politically powerful escape sanctions for corrupt acts.



The Hope United Church preacher did not hold back as he addressed some of the major issues affecting the Jamaican society.



Drawing on a text from Jeremiah 6:13, Reverend Hewitt Roderick said everyone is after what he described as the dishonest dollar.



He charged that the twin forces of greed and selfishness that give rise to corruption, have taken up permanent residence in the land.



Corrupt public officials came under fire. Reverend Roderick contended that scare resources intended for the betterment of the poor and the country, were being siphoned off by corrupt officials in the public and private sectors.



He hailed Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker and Contractor General Greg Christie for the commendable work they have been doing to weed out corruption in the country.



The church was not spared the verbal wrath of the preacher.



He rebuked members of the clergy who led their flock astray as they sought to reap big financial gains from the unregulated investment schemes, which later crashed.



He charged that sections of the church community fused what he described as their designer prosperity gospel with a corrupt financial system built on greed and deception.



In a prayer for the nation, Blossom White from the Tower Hill Missionary Church, touched the gathering, with a moving invocation for the country’s children who are being abused and killed.



Politicians from both sides of the political divide who may have been involved in criminal activities were also urged to repent.