It is not often that I publicly agree with Archbishop Drexel Gomez, but in one of his statements a few weeks ago, there is a complete meeting of our minds. In his release, Archbishop Gomez blasted the religious community for being nothing but a bunch of “hypocrites and sinners!” This revelation was most surprising as indicated in the preamble of the Bahamian Constitution is the fact that the Bahamas is supposed to be a nation with Christian values. Christian values implies that the Bahamian people live their lives following the examples of Christ. With all of the Reverend Doctors, Apostles, Bishops, Disciples or whatever title some people want to award themselves, The Bahamas should be one of the holiest places on earth, second only to the holy city of Jerusalem.
One of the characteristics of a true Christian that the Bible suggests is to visit the imprisoned. Bishop Gomez’s concern is that the vast majority of inmates at Fox Hill Prison are members of a church in The Bahamas. What have these churches done to reach out to these persons, especially when they are so desperately in need of some sort spiritual guidance? The Bahamian church has clearly failed as far too many of their members continue to end up behind bars.
Another area consistent with Christian values suggested the Bible is to “feed the hungry and clothe the naked!” In this area, time and time again, the Bahamian “Christian” has demonstrated that there is no limit to hypocrisy. By ignoring the needs of the hungry and the naked, this hypocrisy is anti-Christian in a nation that professes to be Christian. Far too many church leaders set a bad example and are too busy maintaining their large split-level homes out east or out west along with their latest fancy cars to hear the cries of the poor.
The recent closure of Cheshire Home for persons with disability represents one of the most disgraceful, shameful and un-Christian act that the Bahamas has witnessed in a long time. How on God’s earth can this group of weak, down trodden and disadvantaged persons be treated so shabby? Evicted in the most undignified manner and literally thrown out with no place to go, any decent and Christian person should be outraged by this insensitive act. None of us can truly imagine what the inhabitants of Cheshire Home went through. After 15 years, you are thrown out on the streets of Nassau like dogs to survive. The trauma and anxiety of uncertainty as their power and water were turned off is nothing short of mental cruelty. Once again, the Bahamian “Christian” has proven that they are a world leader in hypocrisy as not even the church as a body came to the assistance of these unfortunate souls.
Melanie Griffin, in her capacity as Social Services Minister, has indicated that they were aware of the pending eviction for the past two years. Yet, what has her ministry done to facilitate the residents to avoid the mess that they ended up in? Another statement indicated that the residents were to be relocated, but where? After spending time at the Nassau Beach Hotel, they were then moved to an undisclosed location for their “protection and security.” What a bunch of hogwash! What do these individuals need protection and security from?
Minister Griffin, maybe you can enlighten the Bahamian public as to where we are with legislating special protection for pesons challenged with disability that was called “The Bill of Rights for persons with Disability”. In the PLP’s manifesto or book of campaign promises, “Our Plan”, the PLP had promised among other things to “ensure that all government policies to help those in distress are administered humanely, sympathetically yet efficiently.” In this situation, either those administering this policy are incompetent or they don’t intend to live up to the PLP’s campaign promises. What would it take to construct a permanent home for persons with disability in both Nassau and Freeport, something they had been trying to do for years? Minister Griffin represents a government who had no difficulty conceding tens of millions of dollars to rich foreign investors who are only here to make money. Yet we cannot give something to the most disadvantaged in our society. Remember the story of Lazarus who was only given the crumbs? The Bahamas is a land of plenty. We can do a better job of taking care of our persons with disabilities.
With the departure of Algernon Allen as Minister of Social had such a positive impact on that ministry. He showed the disabled that they had the same rights as any other Bahamian. To this end, he made the House of Parliament wheelchair accessible and for the first time persons in wheelchairs were able to attend Parliament when they were debating an issue important to them. Even more significant, Algernon Allen in his fight for persons with disability circulated a Green and then a White Paper for discussion to pass a “Bill of Rights” for persons challenged with a disability.
However, Algernon Allen’s most significant contribution to the Ministry of Social Services was that he cared. With his clear vision of where the Disabled should be placed in our society, he lifted their spirits and gave them hope.
Rather than the abundance of hypocrisy displayed in the Bahamian society, our national objective should be a kinder, gentler and more Christian nation. This I am certain Archbishop Gomez would wholeheartedly agree!
By: Dr. Leatendore Percentie, D.D.S
