Archbishop Joseph Harris has scolded politicians for the scandalous comments in Parliament and on the election platform, saying tarnishing people’s character appears to be the new trend in T&T.
In delivering his Holy Thursday Mass homily at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church, he preached the humility of Jesus Christ in washing his disciples’ feet. He said although some see the washing of the feet as repulsive because of some people’s dirtied condition, it was an act of love shown by Jesus, St Damian of Molokai, who sought out lepers, and Mother Teresa, who cared for dying street dwellers.
However, in an obvious reference to recent attacks in Parliament and on the political campaign trail, he said not all people are dirtied in the same way, explaining that, “lying about someone and telling the truth about someone to defame that person are sins.” He said, “People are dirtied in various ways.
Unfortunately, the trend in our country at the moment seems to say that we are allowed to malign others and sully their characters in the worst way possible.
“The gospel for this Eucharistic celebration shows us, however, the Lord and Master lovingly washing and cleaning his disciples’ feet.
“Must we not therefore concentrate on cleaning up others rather than sullying them? Lies, half-truths and innuendos cannot be and must not be part of the arsenal of disciples of Jesus Christ nor of any religious person. “All religions hold sacred the values of selfless love and of truth and honesty, nor is it permissible to tell the truth about someone if by telling the truth we intend to place someone in a bad light.” Just last Saturday, Harris joined other citizens in expressing shock at the comments made by Tobago East MP Vernella Alleyne-Toppin in the Parliament against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, in which she claimed the PNM leader was a product of rape and may have engaged in the act himself.
Citizens and other groups have also voiced their dismay at Rowley “dog and cyat” comments in reference to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a cottage meeting in Brazil and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal’s claim that Rowley had the “nastiest mouth in the Caribbean.”
During his sermon, Harris also paid tribute to citizens of poverty-stricken communities, saying that he admired their continued struggle for better lives, despite living in environments that were toxic. (See page A12) He said one wonders how human beings can live in such squalor, adding that it appeared that they have been forgotten by civil society and religious authorities.