‘Emancipendence’ launches with church service
IT WAS the day for the national emancipation and independence thanksgiving church service yesterday and Bishop Everton Thomas had a plea for the nation’s leaders to transform the next generation.
“If things continue the way they have been trending, sooner or later you can’t even open up your business place,” said Thomas, delivering the message at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre in St Andrew.
Jamaica has been seeing worrying crime figures, with more than 1,200 homicides last year despite three states of public emergency. Up to July 15 this year, the murder tally was 726.
Two states of emergency – one in western Jamaica and the other in the St Andrew South police division – are now in force as the Government seeks to put a lid on homicides.
Thomas said there is also a role for the churches, the business community, and the general society in order for things to get better in Jamaica.
“I call on churches to get up off our blessed assurance and get down in the trenches with more endurance,” said Thomas, who presides over the Emmanuel Apostolic Churches.
At the same time, he said that more businesses should make it a priority to contribute to community transformation.
“Some of us ain’t going nowhere, but some of you were planning to migrate, to jump ship. That’s not so easy again,” he said, referring to the immigration crackdown in the United States.
“This is Jamaica! Nobody can deport me from Jamaica,” he said.
The service was attended by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, and other government officials.
Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips was represented by Member of Parliament for St Andrew Western Anthony Hylton.
The theme for the Independence celebration is ‘One Nation ... One People,’ and Grange said that it reinforces the need for Jamaicans to be steadfast to the principle of being their brother’s keepers.
“I want us to make a special effort this season to prioritise the safety, comfort, and well-being of our women and children,” she pleaded.