Jamaican society rife with corruption
Clergyman points to unjust treatment of the downtrodden
ANGLICAN BISHOP of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands, the Reverend Howard Gregory, is lamenting the state of Jamaica’s social construct, as one that is rife with corruption and gross inequity.
He said that the society has turned a blind eye to white collar criminals, while putting the spotlight on down-trodden young men who find themselves victims of the oppressive and clandestine actions of those wielding real financial power and influence in the country.
“We are a society pervaded by a culture of corruption and the auditor general, a young person and a committed Christian, in the diligent exercise of her duties, seems to be fighting a singular battle, as she points to irregularities in the operations of several of our public institutions on a regular basis,” said Gregory.
“But these are usually brushed aside by the offending institutions and nothing is usually done to bring to account those who are responsible for such violations,” he added.
THE WILL TO ACT
Addressing the 148th Anglican Synod in Montego Bay recently, Gregory cited a plethora of societal ills and told the congregation that the will to act in changing the fortunes of the country appeared to be lacking.
He said that the commitment and the will to do something seem lacking. This is because it is so much easier to identify the young men of St James and other parts of western Jamaica involved in scamming, albeit with pressure from the United States, than to go after those with the right political connections and power who deprive the society of resources that belong to the people of this nation, Gregory said.
“I believe that, as a people, we are losing our sense of that which is of ultimate value, and in this process, we are losing our sense of the value of human beings, meaning every member of the society,” stated Gregory.