I am not an attorney at law or a member of the judiciary. But as a citizen of Barbados and one who loves my country, I have a serious question to ask.
It deals with the recent sentencing of a pregnant Jamaican woman, Shanique Hyman, who was convicted of drug trafficking and given a 12-month jail term at Her Majesty Prisons Dodds in St Philip.
I must make it clear that I am not questioning the decision (sentence), but it caused me to think and ask the question – why prison at this time?
It will be possible that she will be delivering a baby here in Barbados. As far as I know, the duration of a pregnancy is nine months and there is that possibility of a premature delivery, which would be any time before the normal delivery.
I am not dealing with the sentence (jail term), but rather about the implications that can come about later down the road.
I do hope that we do not have another Raul Garcia case on our hands.
Since I am not an attorney and only a preacher, I have to ask some questions. If and when the baby is born here in Barbados, what nationality would it have? Let us say, for argument’s sake, it is a Barbadian and at the end of the sentence and the mother is deported to her homeland Jamaica, and the Jamaican immigration authorities refuse to admit that child into Jamaica, what will happen to the baby?
We must remember that the baby is not responsible for the actions of the mother. This situation is a very serious one, and God knows the answer. Right now the answer is blowing in the wind.
Service
The Guild of Servers of the Anglican Church will be holding its Anniversary Service on Monday, at St Paul’s Church, Bay Street,St Michael.
Synod
The annual Synod of the Anglican Church will begin on Sunday at St Michael’s Cathedral at 5 p.m. The business session takes place next Tuesday and Wednesday at the Christ Church Parish Church Centre.
Bus ride
Endeavour Cooperative Credit Union Limited’s bus ride takes place on Sunday to Farley Hill Park, St Peter. Buses leave Queen’s Park at 9:30 a.m. and Six Roads at 9 a.m.
Concert
St John’s Parish Church Mothers’ Union will be holding its annual concert on June 2 at 4 p.m. at the church. The public is invited.
Fairs
St Martin’s Anglican Church will be holding its annual fair on Saturday, May 25, on the rectory Grounds, St Martin’s, St Philip from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
St Ann’s Anglican Church’s is on Monday, from 2 p.m. on the church grounds, Parris Hill, St Joseph; while All Saints Church will host its annual fair also on Whit Monday on the rectory grounds in St Peter from 1 p.m.
Recital
The Boys and Girls Choirs of the Churchof The Transfiguration, New York City, and their acclaimed organist and choir master, Claudia Dumschat, will give a recital featuring works by Bach, Cesar Franc and Louis Viernes at the St James Parish Church, next Friday, at 7 p.m. Tickets and further information are available at the church office.
Feast of Title
The Holy Trinity Church will celebrate its Feast of Title from Sunday to May 26.
On Sunday Pentecost (Whit Sunday) at 7 a.m., Said Eucharist, with Rev. M Maxwell the preacher. At 8:45 a.m. will be Sung Eucharist.
On Monday at 10 a.m., Healthy Fun and Sports Day, for parish family and friends.
Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Evensong and Sermon, The Mothers’ Union, Men’s Fellowship and One ‘O’Clock Club will be in attendance. Preacher will be Rev. Beverley Sealy-Knight.
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Evangelical Service. Church Army, Women’s Auxiliary, WW Prayer Group will be in attendance. Rev Curtis Goodridge to deliver the sermon.
Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Evensong and Sermon. Servers, Health and Ushers Guild, Lectors and LEM will be in attendance. Rev. Selwyn Lowe to minister the Word.
Friday at 7:30 p.m., Love Feast. YC, Youth, Sunday School will be in attendance. Preacher to be Rev. Jillian Crawford.
