THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE ASCENDANCY of Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller to the position of Prime Minister of Jamaica signals a new day in the history of Jamaica. On the surface, she represents the first of the beginning for women who will rise to the pinnacle of political office. Secondly, she represents the first political leader to make her position of faith a platform for public discourse. It is this second factor that I wish to briefly comment on.
Madam Prime Minister must be commended for speaking candidly about her faith and for beginning the tenure of her prime ministerialship by invoking divine guidance and blessings, not only on her behalf but for the country to which she is called to lead. As Christians we hold to the view that God calls each to public or private office. Therefore, if the new Prime Minister sees herself as a servant of God, then it follows that she would come to regard her elevation as a call by God. In declaring her faith in God and her being the answer to the people's prayers, it behoves our Prime Minister to exercise great wisdom in her public declaration on the issue of her faith and how public policies are pursued.
BIBLICAL TRADITION
The Prime Minister must understand that in keeping with the Biblical tradition, those who were called by God to public office carried a greater responsibility and accountability. In other words, the failing of any part of the system of governance made the King accountable and demanded his intervention.
The Prime Minister's declaration to name pastors to public sector boards must be looked at dispassionately. For my part, what is important is not for pastors to be named to Boards but that the government looks at the system by which these appointments are made. It is here, I believe, that the people's representative should play a critical role. A committee of Parliament should at least have a say on this matter and these persons so recommended appear before the Parliament. What we need are not just pastors but men and women of integrity and probity, lay or ordained. It is naïve to believe that one would automatically get this from pastors. To believe this is to ignore the history of the church.
FAITH-BASED ISSUES
It seems to me, therefore, that the Prime Minister needs to have an advisor on religious affairs. This route would not be new; Prime Minister Michael Manley ensured that such person was available to him. It seems, however, more critical for the new Prime Minister, given her faith position and her proclivity to make public statements on religious or faith-based issues to be so armed.
A prime minister who understands and articulates the need for collaboration between government and church is a breath of fresh air. But the people must not regard this as messianic. The Prime Minister has to be cautious in her public declarations and ensure that her expectations and aspirations are smart, that is, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.
I salute our Prime Minister for her courage and strength of character and pray that God will use her to govern wisely.
I am, etc.,
Rev. Dr. PAUL GARDNER
email: pgardner@cwjamaica.com
President, Moravian Church in Jamaica
and Cayman Islands
3 Hector Street
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
