But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in the mirror, for he observes himself and goes away and at once forget what he was like. – James 1: verse 22 – 24
IT WOULD SEEM THAT when it comes to gun violence and crime as a whole, we are playing the blame game, something that Barbadians are very good at. It was reported in last Monday’s edition of the
He is blaming the mothers who ignored their sons, when they were doing wrong. He also blames the education system. Blame after blame.
Is it not the same politicians who said “there will be no hanging over my watch?” Is it not the same politicians who said that there must be no flogging in our schools, tying the hands of our teachers?
This is one time that I have agreed with Minister of Education Ronald Jones, who said the school sector is not the only sector responsible for the gun crime and violence. Usually I do not agree with Jones. What we need is action and not all of this talk.
Those who commit those gun crimes are aware that nothing will happen to them and that they will only spend a few years at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds at the expense of the taxpayers. Updating the gun laws (Firearms Act) will not work unless there is action. We need action now more than ever.
It is my view that capital punishment can serve as a deterrent. A former prison officer said to me that “in those days when capital punishment was carried out, the prison was silent as the prisoners dug the graves and after the execution you could hear when a pin drop for weeks”.
I am aware that those who carry out those gun crimes just do not care about a fellow. Many Barbadians are utterly frustrated with the violence. That is why all who support law and order must back the nation’s dedicated police officers.
Throwing our hands hopelessly in the air is not a solution. Our police force is doing a good job, especially with the recent murders, and have brought suspects before the court very early. Keep it up.
Annual concerts
The St Luke Anglican Church Men’s Fellowship will hold its annual concert on Sunday, at the church at 4 p.m. It will feature the Barbados Defence Force Band and other artistes.
• The St John Church Army will hold its annual concert on September 25 at the parish church at 4 p.m. It will feature theBarbados Defence Force Band and other artistes.
• The St Clement Anglican Church will hold its concert on September 25, at the church at 4 p.m.
• The Holy Innocents Church invite you to a variety concert on Sunday, October 2, at the church, at 4 p.m. It will feature the Waterford Music Cultural Society along with Matthew Banfield and Project 10 Band.
• The St Patrick’s Anglican Church choir will present their annual sacred concert under the patronage of Sir Richard Cheltenham and Lady Cheltenham on Sunday, October 2, at the church at 4 p.m. Artistes will include The Band of the Royal Barbados Police Force.
• The Dunscombe Moravian Youth Fellowship, Dunscombe, St Thomas, invites the public to their youth concert on Saturday, September 24, at the church at 6 p.m. Guest artistes include The Moravian Disciples.
Moravian missionary meetings
The St Philip Moravian Fellowship annual missionary meeting takes place on Sunday at the Princess Margaret Secondary School Hall, Six Roads, St Philip at 4 p.m.
Clifton Hill luncheon
Clifton Hill Moravian Church will hold its 175th anniversary luncheon under the patronage of Dame Maizie Barker-Welch on Sunday, September 25, at the Lester Vaughan School, St Thomas, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Flea market
A Grand Flea Market sale takes place tomorrow, at St Swithun’s Church Hall, Greenidges, St Lucy, from 9 a.m.
Panel discussion
A panel discussion on palliative care will take place on Thursday, September 22, at St Lawrence Church under the theme: For I Know The Plans I Have For You, Says The Lord. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life for sick people and their families.
Appointments
The following appointments took effect in the Anglican Church from September 1:
1. The Rev Graveney Bannister as priest-in-charge of St Mary.
2. The Rev Brian Thompson as priest-in-charge of St Joseph and St Aidan.
