radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
After carrying the cross through the streets of San Fernando on Good Friday, Roman Catholic Archbishop Jason Gordon pleaded with parishioners to do more to help the less fortunate, including migrants.
Saying many children– both migrant and local–are being denied the right to education, Gordon said if every citizen helps another, a lot more could be achieved.
“Neighbourliness is a great virtue of T&T. We are excellent at that. Generosity is a hallmark of T&T but we have to think about our brothers and sisters from Venezuela, Cuba, Latin America and Africa, who are here. It’s a difficult time for them where they came from and it’s also a difficult time for them living here,” Gordon said.
He added, “We have children who are not in school and that’s against the United Nations Convention. We have many families living in poverty. At the same time, we have many Trinidadians who have children who are not in school also. We have to deal with them too.”
Gordon said many citizens have been helping others but noted more can be done.
“Anyone who is living in poverty without dignity, we have to be a neighbour to them to be able to help them. We have to be of help and healing. Inflation has gone crazy and food prices have gone up,” he lamented.
He said his grandmother’s generation did not have much but was still able to help others and even help to raise children who were not their own.
“As little as we have, we have always been a generous people. It’s about being aware and conscious and asking yourself what can I do. Asked why the procession did not take place on the Hill, Gordon said the stipulations were for 100 people only to be allowed on the Hill. He said this was not sufficient as many more people usually make the Good Friday trek.
Meanwhile, Father David Khan, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church, has been re-evaluating its outreach programmes to help the poor.
“We are trying our best to give what we can. We have looked at those who come to us. We always have those who come but are not in need.
“We have done a rigid needs test and all the people we have on file, we are visiting. So we are certain we will be serving the neediest of the needy,” Khan said.
He added, “Therefore, whatever little we have, we will give and we give freely.”
Hundreds of devoted Roman Catholics usually participate in the annual Stations of the Cross on Good Friday morning at San Fernando.
The walk this year started at 6 am at the Cluny Eucharistic Centre at Mount Moriah Road, San Fernando before proceeding on St James Street, Mon Chagrin Street, High Street and finally at Harris Promenade.
The Stations of the Cross is a re-enactment of the last day Jesus Christ spent on the earth. It depicts His condemnation, His pain bearing the cross, His fall under the weight and whipping and his eventual crucifixion.
Specific prayers are said at every station.
