With issues of morality and integrity dominating newspaper headlines and editorials, Anglican Archdeacon Keith Cartwright has called for the revamping of the church, the state, and the judiciary.
In a compelling sermon held at Christ Church Cathedral on Wednesday to mark the opening of the court’s legal year, Archdeacon Cartwright admonished the prime minister to be “decisive” in his leadership, and have the “moral energy to carry it out.”
Using biblical references about the moral decay of society that led to ultimate judgment, Archdeacon Cartwright said from the “prime minister on down should take Isaiah’s lead.” Additionally he stated, “He who would rule others, must first of all be ruled by the knowledge and love of God, and must be constrained to live according to God’s moral standards.”
Societal cleansing
“The courts, the Attorney General’s office, the prison system, the police force” were all in need of drastic change, the archdeacon said. “We need men and women of sterling character and strong wills to do the job. Those who are not ready, or ill-equipped or unfit for the task, ought to step aside or be removed. The very fabric of our society depends on this success. Isaiah demanded a cleansing of the filth and rot of his society. We demand the same today!”
Relying on a scriptural excerpt from Isaiah 11 Archdeacon Cartwright highlighted ” …He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.”
He explained that Isaiah was one of the great prophets of Israel who in his prophetic work denounced “the wilful pride and wickedness and the religious disloyalty of his people. He dwelt particularly on the corruption and oppression of their rulers.”
‘God demands change’
Isaiah accused “his fellow Israelites of failing in their responsibility to maintain justice, of greed, of ostentation and self- indulgence at the expense of the poor and of brazen irreligion.”
He said that God was weary of his people who honoured him with their lips and not their hearts. “Isaiah’s lips and the lips of the people were morally unclean, their minds were dulled by sensuality and materialism, their wills were infected by rebellious pride,” said the archdeacon.
“What God, what Yahweh, demanded of them was that they should become clean, that they should cease to do eveil and learn to be right,” he stated.
Archdeaon Cartwright said the prophet Isaiah perceived a nation on the verge of collapse. “There were great gulfs separating the rich and from the poor, the priest from the people, and yes, the judges from the innocently accused,” he said.
This analysis of social sickness by Isaiah led to the declaration of divine judgment. Archdeacon Cartwright stressed that “justice is not only essential to the proper functioning of any human society, but it is absolutely required by God himself.”
He declared that the prophet Isaiah’s message “fits our Bahamian society today with such accuracy that it is totally alarming.” The message, he said, continues to speak to this nation with the same immediate relevancy and urgency.
Justice scarce for poor
People who become entangled with the law have little or no representation at all, he charged, “There is no advocate at the Bar for them. Justice is scarce for the poor man! His rights are trampled on everyday.” He informed those present of the need for a proper legal aid system so that the poor will no longer be disadvantaged. “You and I, who have a job, who have position, who have status, the high and mighty, people with power and money, we have justice everyday,” he proclaimed. But “What about the poor man?” he asked.
People today question the integrity and functioning of the Church, the State and the Judiciary – the foundations of society, he continued. “Far too many of our churches and church leaders are only big business. Religion has become nothing more than a commercial venture,” with people following pastors instead of Jesus. “They follow a new theology of if- -you-give-you will get- and get rich quick,” he said noting that the Saviour was a simple carpenter.
In essence, he said, “The emphasis has shifted from soul and salvation to riches and luxury.” He charged that churches seem more focused on what their pastor drives or where they live as opposed to “feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and curing the diseased.” A title of Bishop seems more important than members in the pews, he stated, but “More than ever the church needs to point to Jesus Christ.”
A higher calling
Judges and magistrates must be beyond reproach, he said, emphasizing that “Their’s must be the higher calling. Justice must be dispensed in an honourable, decent and respectful manner. The Courts ought to be a place of decorum and a place of the highest standards.” If the Greek idea of justice is taken seriously, he went on, “that justice consists of giving to man and to God their due.”
Archdeacon Cartwright warned judges and magistrate to “beware of smooth-talking politicians and sweet-talking lawyers. Be careful Mr. Chief Justice, Madam President of the court of Appeal, protect your independence of the Judiciary. Guard it zealously.”
During Isaiah’s era, he said, justice was bought, hence he urged justices and magistrates present to take no bribes. “Be satisfied with your pay! Justice demands it and so do we,” he stressed.
Reiterating that the society is on the verge of collapse, the archdeacon drew attention to “the concept of the almighty dollar as being the most important thing in people’s lives. There is far too much greed.”
He called on politicians to “be content with your wages.”
To avoid the doom that Isaiah spoke of, Archdeacon Cartwright said, “Justice demands an accountability for all.”
By JIMENITA SWAIN,Guardian Staff Reporter jimenita@nasguard.com
