The Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI) says it is saddened and appalled by the recent acts of theft and vandalism at various places of worship throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
In a statement yesterday, PAWI said, “These cowardly acts violate the rights of persons across the religious spectrum in Trinidad and Tobago, and threatens our peaceful existence and tolerance for each other.
“PAWI unreservedly denounces such acts, not only as crimes against the various religious bodies, but against the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
PAWI added within the recent past, member-churches of PAWI have also suffered attacks, both in Trinidad and in Tobago, where churches were broken into, ransacked and items of value stolen.
PAWI said it joins in solidarity with other religious bodies across Trinidad and Tobago in condemning any act of violation and desecration against the people of this nation.
“We continue to lend our prayerful support to the law enforcement agencies in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Members of our organisation are in no way instructed, directed, or incited to perform any such acts, and we categorically renounce, and distance ourselves from such behaviours.”
For this year alone, there have been several and frequent attacks of sacrilege at various places of worship, including Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and even Christian churches like the St Francis Roman Catholic Church and St John’s Anglican Church.