CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC:

Fathers across St. Lucia, possibly for the first time in the nation’s history, accorded recognition for their contribution to the development on their families on Father’s Day with a prime ministerial address.

In a first-ever Father’s Day message, Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony called on all dads, step-dads and grandfathers, to also take some time to contemplate their roles as fathers.

He said they needed to look back at the successes and the failings of the past and to see how relationships and the paths that they have chosen can be enhanced in the days ahead.

ACCEPTABLE

“Our Saint Lucian reality is far from acceptable, far from just, far from perfect. Many families are hurting. Some face very difficult situations.

Some of the hurt, pain and even anger exist because of abusive men and irresponsible fathers. “True, none of us can be perfect.

We all have shortcomings as fathers. Men, we cannot be macho and proclaim to be men if we don’t try our best to be good fathers,” Dr Anthony declared.

His address comes amid calls last week during radio talk shows from several organisations for greater recognition and support to be given to the plight of the father figure and his declining image at the head of the family.

Dr Anthony made reference to this via the words of Pope John the Twenty-third: “It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.”

He noted that “while we can lament and argue about these matters, we must also begin wiping away the tears, the divisions and even the enmity. “We must remember the many single mothers who toil hard to be dads to their children, as well as moms.”

Dr Anthony observed that there are many uncles and grandfathers who step in and play a supporting role where fathers are not around. He said to the dads who need to mend “things” with their children and families, “be brave and take the first step. Bring peace, joy and love to your families.