Article A44 · Book 1 · Scrapbook page p.33
Must we go to God via Rome, Toronto and Canterbury?
● From Page 7
Presbyterian Church of Canada in Trinidad, and the Fundamentalism of Southern USA in Trinidad, in fact an extension of other churches in our midst.
This is a failure the church in Trinidad and Tobago shares with most churches in the third world, but we are way behind the churches in Asia, Africa and Latin America, in coming to terms with this problem. The churches in Asia were dealing with this problem since the 1920's.
Another serious failure of the Christian community in Trinidad and Tobago, is in the area of race-relations. We are all aware of the racial explosion in Guyana — a nation so near and with so many similarities. Yet the churches have not taken heed. We feel that "It could never happen here." But the 1970 revolution takes care of that sort of false security. The fact is that it could happen here.
Apart from this inertia, the churches harbour a denominational school system that unwittingly spawns racism. I am not suggesting that this is done maliciously or deliberately.
[Photograph: demonstrators inside a cathedral, waving flags and placards around the altar. Caption:]
Brandishing placards and waving their flags high, demonstrators swarm over the altar area in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception last year.
IMPULSES
In many instances, the system emerged out of noble impulses and at great sacrifice. But the accidents of history that brought different races and religious groups together and the present reality of racial polarization in politics as well as inherited denominational structures have subverted the noblest of intentions and the greatest of sacrifices on this issue.
This is a matter the church needs to address itself to immediately, though not through sermonic exhortations but in a well planned programme.
However, the church in Trinidad and Tobago is still in a fortunate position vis a vis its place in society. It still commands considerable respect and has an enormous fund of goodwill from the people to draw upon.
When some head of church or even the local pastor speaks or acts he is accorded a hearing or given co-operation. Very often this is so across denominational and religious lines. And even if people do disagree they do so respectfully; though there is a small, extremely radical set that has come up in recently [as printed] that has no place for the church and is even hostile towards it.
The church will be stretching its luck too far to presume upon the continuity of this respect, support and goodwill. Nor must the church fall into the trap of taking consolation in its numerical strength. For while the numerical strength of the church may be maintained by sheer increase in population, its moral authority and credibility is seriously in the balance.
MOBILISE
This may very well be the last decade the church has to enjoy this favourable position. It is certainly so for the young people, I feel. The question now is — what will it do with this following. Will the church be able to mobilise its fold giving them more than a veneer of popular or quaisi-superstitious [sic] religion. Will she be able to inject a moral sensitivity and responsibility into her fold?
Within this fold in the Trinidad scene with its large middle class section that wields considerable power, but who are resistant to any significant change expect [sic] token ones. This is the middle class group whose morality the church has largely sanctified, but will now have to challenge, and possibly court its disfavour in doing so.
This creates an ironic situation where the church may have to say to this section that are products of the church [— the essay continues on Page 9, not preserved]
● Turn to Page 9
Page furniture (advertisements sharing the page — not articles):
1. Henckel's Hardware (boxed advertisement beside the opening columns): "Congratulations to the Nation on its 9th Anniversary of Independence from Henckel's Hardware, General Hardware Merchants, 96, High St., San Fernando. Phone No: 652-2473." 2. Wm. H. Kennedy & Co. Ltd. (advertisement at the foot of the page, its lower edge running off the preserved sheet): "Wm. H. Kennedy & Co. Ltd. Agents for: WHITE HORSE" [whisky; the bottle illustration and the foot of the advertisement are cut off in photo].