Reverend Canon Curtis Goodridge making a point as he delivered the sermon yesterday.
Priest concerned about violence
Mon, 09/19/2016 - 12:00am
An Anglican cleric has expressed concern about the increasing acts of violence in our society and is adamant that this behaviour must not be allowed to flourish.
Reverend Canon Curtis Goodridge delivering the sermon yesterday morning at the St. Lucy Parish Church, where the Board of Management and staff of the Rural Development Commission (RDC) gathered to celebrate its 20th Anniversary, maintained that part of the problem is that many young people do not know God. He is adamant therefore that this does not bode well for the country, as it resulting in lawless and deviant behaviour being exhibited.
“There are many of our young men and young women who are heading down the road of destruction. But I want to tell our young people this morning that there is a better way and this better way is God’s way… As long as you walk with the Lord, you cannot and will not go wrong,” he said.
His comments came as he lamented that many are even undertaking violent acts without any remorse. Canon Goodridge suggested that is perhaps stemming from their overexposure to violence on television, and they are beginning to act out what they are seeing.
The reverend was speaking as he noted that over the last weeks “much gunplay has been unleashed on our country”. Barbados is “like gun town”, a reality he said that should be of concern to all Barbadians. To the youth involved in criminal activity, he is telling them that they will never regret making the decision to serve God, contending that to continue on the path they are currently on will only get them into Dodds, and not to heaven. As such, he is urging them to open their minds and hearts and let Jesus in.
“They need to understand that following the Lord Jesus Christ is far better than following a multitude to do evil… You and I must be at the forefront of showing this way to our youth,” he said.
Furthermore, he stated that, “We need a revival in this land, from the north to the south and from the east to the west. And I’m saying there is work for the Church to do – pastors, priests, evangelists, to get on the battlefield and pull our nation back from the brink of the devil.”
Canon Goodridge is of the firm belief this can be achieved, but maintains that it must be a collective effort if we are to save our nation. Speaking later in the service, Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman said his ministry is desirous of working with the churches in the rural communities to address the problem of crime and violence. He made the comments while indicating that the RDC has been quietly undertaking activities to address the challenge. Though remaining mum on the details, he said that they are committed to ensuring that the youth are gainfully engaged. (JRT)