Article A24 · Book 1 · Scrapbook page p.20
Treat God's temple with the reverence it deserves
SIR: During the disturbances early last year, we experienced the desecration of a particular church.
Recently, we have witnessed another form of desecration. The only difference between them is that the Black Power advocates were responsible in the first instance, while a priest was responsible in the second.
EVIDENT
It should be evident by now that I am referring to two articles which appeared in your newspaper on February 18 and 21 which reported that a Carnival Queen contest was held in a Roman Catholic Church at Cedros.
What a shame! God's temple should be treated with the reverence it deserves.
What is more bewildering is that this action was approved by the Archbishop himself.
I remember quite vividly that a past Archbishop — Count Finbar Ryan — was strongly opposed to such contests, describing them as "degrading."
Furthermore, to add insult to injury, the report stated that a bingo was previously held in that very church.
DESECRATION
I want to warn negligent so-called Christians (including priests) who have evidently put the Bible on the shelf that Jesus Christ himself literally drove gamblers from his temple.
But can we correlate these two forms of desecration? I am firmly convinced that one arose directly from the other.
Last year the Catholic Church was awakened to the naked fact that vital contact with the masses has been lost. No longer could the watered-down commercialised religion presented to the masses meet their social, moral and spiritual needs.
LOST IMAGE
Consequently, an attempt is being made by the clergy to regain the lost image, by attempting to identify the Church with the needs of the masses.
Unfortunately, the attempts have eventually led to desecration. In conclusion, I would like to present two points for serious consideration.
Either carry on our Master's business the way He commanded, or, close down your churches.
CHRISTIAN, Tunapuna.