Sinckler: Has the Church lost its voice?

THERE are a number of questions still left to be answered by Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, and Finance Minister Chris Sinckler is querying why so many people and institutions, including the church, have gone silent on issues that could have a major impact on Barbadian society.

According to Sinckler, “One of the groups that seems to have fallen asleep in Barbados is the church. You know you can’t hear a peep out of the church. Can you believe that there is a potential for Barbados’ political system and culture and potentially its economy to be corrupted by foreign influences…and you can’t hear a word out of the church,” he queried.

Sinckler said the church leaders appear to have “backed their cloth and are hiding”.

“A major political party in Barbados produces a manifesto, in which they are promising to have referendum on same sex marriage, and you can’t hear a peep out of the church. It is probably the first time in the history of the elections not only in Barbados but across the world where you can’t hear the church.

“Where are the church leaders tonight who preach in the pulpit every Sunday about corruption, and about corrupting influences, and after we spoke on Sunday a week ago, you can’t hear anything out of the church.”

Sinckler even called out Reverend David Durant of Restoration Ministers who was in the crowd to speak out on the issue. “Where is the voice of the church? Have you no opinions, are your tongues tied? Where are you hiding? What guidance are you going to give to Barbadians even as you prepared to go to the polls on Thursday? These are the questions that have to be answered,” Sinckler told the party faithful in Villa Road on Tuesday night.

He said that the questions posed to Mottley with regards to ties to a Nigerian businessman must be answered. “We have our suspicions, but the leader of the Opposition has not answered the question.”

Additionally he stated that the Barbados Chamber of Commerce, the Barbados Private sector Association, the two major Trade Unions and even the Barbados Integrity Movement have been woefully silent.

“This election must be defined by the fact that when put to public scrutiny Mia Amor Mottley, could not ’fess up and speak …to the public of Barbados. If we are going to allow this as the people in the US allowed Trump to get away with every possible thing under the sun, what do you think will happen if she becomes Prime Minister of Barbados? You think you will be able to ask her anything?” he queried.
(JH)

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