• Latest

Statement from The Bishop of St George’s-In-Grenada on the 2018 General Elections

4 years ago
AEC statement regarding Covid-19 situation confronting the nation

Statement on 2022 General Elections

3 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 24 June 2022

3 hours ago
NDC announces 7 candidates

Caribbean leaders congratulate Dickon Mitchell on assuming Grenada PM’s office

4 hours ago
National Cleanup Begins Friday

Tropical wave to affect State of Grenada on Sunday

4 hours ago
Supervisor of Elections signs agreement with Chief of OAS Observer team

OAS Electoral Observation Mission reports for Grenada General Elections 2022

13 hours ago
NDC wins Grenada’s General Election 2022

General Elections Results 23 June 2022

1 day ago
STAR Intervention Programme brings out best in RGPF

Despite overwhelming success at the polls…A word to the wise!!

1 day ago
OECS Family Launches 195in365 Global Environmental Initiative

OECS Family Launches 195in365 Global Environmental Initiative

1 day ago
NDC announces 7 candidates

OECS Commission congratulates newly elected PM and Government of Grenada

1 day ago
New executive leading the work of the CCG

Statement from the Conference of Churches in Grenada

1 day ago
Prime Minister’s Address: Grenada’s preparation for Covid-19

Former PM speaks with PM-elect

1 day ago
Sagicor salutes legends at 2021 Group Annual Awards ceremony

Sagicor salutes legends at 2021 Group Annual Awards ceremony

1 day ago
NOW Grenada
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Statement from The Bishop of St George’s-In-Grenada on the 2018 General Elections

This story was posted 4 years ago
30 January 2018
in PRESS RELEASE
3 min. read
Bishop Clyde Harvey
Share

To all the Catholic Faithful in the diocese of St George’s-in-Grenada and to all citizens of good will.

Beloved in Christ, Grenada stands on the verge of another general election. Once more the people of God in Grenada have the opportunity to choose who will lead them politically and economically. We can all be grateful to God that we live in a participatory democracy which allows all citizens 18 years and over to exercise their franchise. This is our right in a democracy which places on us an awesome responsibility to use our vote in the best interest of the nation.

In small countries like ours every vote counts and a seat may well be lost by a single vote. In many countries, including developed ones, the process is corrupted by fraud, bribery and deception. Elections can be bought by those who would control countries and governments in their own self-interest. Grenada can still boast of free and fair elections. As your Bishop, I strongly urge you to participate in the process by listening to the debates in the media, at political meetings and in friendly encounters with friends who may be of a different political persuasion.

As Catholic Christians we respond to the call of the Lord to work to bring about the reign of God in our land. It is our response to God in Christ which challenges us to build in community, village, town and nation a world in which respect, dignity, equality, justice and peace are the pillars of our social life., We thank God for all those who offer themselves, as candidates, to be servants of the people and nation and are clearly committed to these Gospel values.

The Catholic Church takes no side in this election. Grenada’s history has created an electorate which values its democracy and is committed to protecting their rights and values. The history of the Catholic Church teaches us that Church leaders should not directly involve themselves in partisan politics by seeking to be candidates for political parties or by urging church members to vote for any particular party. The Church, both leaders and members, must always respect the political choices of every citizen.

I have therefore instructed the clergy that they are not to preach in favour of or against any particular party, whether in church or at political meetings. Clergy are not to appear on political platforms to lead prayers for candidates or parties. Other churches may act differently. We act in the wisdom of a 2,000 year experience which other churches may not yet have. When we enter the House of the Lord, especially for Eucharist, we ought to be united around the Table of the Lord, regardless of our political affiliation.

Lay Catholics are free to support openly whomsoever they wish and may invoke the blessing of God on political occasions. The Church leaves them free to make their own political choices, trusting that they will do so in accordance with God’s will after prayerful reflection on the issues.

I cannot urge you strongly enough to do your best to keep the level of political discourse high over these days. No Catholic, candidate or ordinary citizen, should descend into the gutter of character assassination. We now clearly see that as a form of murder, and against the Fifth Commandment. In our quest for office, hopefully a genuine desire to serve, we sometimes lose our moral and spiritual moorings. We cannot put our words back into our mouths. Apologies and excuses do not heal these wounds. We still have to live together beyond this election.

When I first saw the new Parliament Building rising on the hill, it reminded me of the Acropolis of Athens, the birthplace of Western democracy. I dared to hope and pray that Grenada could become the Athens of the Caribbean where the political discourse may be known for its quality and that full mature citizen participation may be always assured.

“Remembering the mercies of God, let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that (in this election and beyond) you may discern what is the will of God (for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique) what is good and acceptable and mature. (cf. Romans 12:1-2). God bless our tri-island nation now and always. Amen.

Clyde Martin Harvey
Bishop of St George’s-in-Grenada,
Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
Tags: bishopcatholicclyde harveydemocracypoliticalvote
Next Post
Breast Cancer Survivor Turns Advocate for Cancer Screening

Breast Cancer Survivor Turns Advocate for Cancer Screening

Comment on post Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=9 crop=”no” max_width=300]

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.