For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139: 13-14
There is too much violence in Barbados and in the world and something must be done to help stop it – so the Anglican Church through its Advocacy and Social Justice Commission chaired by John Goddard has launched a programme focusing on violence within the family.
Other members of the commission are: Orville Durant, Michael Alleyne, Imogene Clarke, Sadie Goddard-Durant and Sheila Wilkinson.
On October 24, His Lordship the Bishop launched the Advocacy and Social Justice Commission’s programme on family violence at Mandeville House.
The aims of the programme are to:
• Raise public awareness of the problem of family violence in Barbados.
• Promote respect for the worth and dignity of every human being.
• Encourage the church at parish, deanery and diocesan levels to reflect on and respond to the issue of family violence.
• Work towards a reduction in the incidence of family violence. As a people we must recognize and respond to family violence; for all humans are created in the image of God. Always be aware that
• Every person has inherent worth and dignity which must be respected.
• Disrespecting yourself, your husband/wife/partner, your child, parents, other family members or any other human being devalues the God image in you and them.
• Intimate partner violence, child abuse and elder abuse are contrary to God’s instructions for family life.
• You do not have to accept abuse.
• You do not have to continue your abuse of others.
• God loves both the abuser and the abused and wants them to change. With the help of attorneys at law Orville Durant and Michael Alleyne, the Commission will focus on the legal aspects of this issue. Where necessary, it will advocate for legislative action to make the fight against family violence more effective.
In trying to achieve the objectives of the campaign, the Commission will with other organizations continue to work with Government and non-governmental as well as the church at parish, deanery, and diocesan levels.
How can we help to be part of this movement? We must pray for peace within family relationships. Teach people about the need to respect the God’s image in themselves and others.
We must reject any form of family violence and promote attitudes and habits which foster peace.