Carnival message by by Bishop Gabriel Malzaire

Bishop of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire
Bishop of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Carnival is a unique time of year, which brings with it a great sense of excitement, joy and freedom. It is a time which brings out the most creative genius in our people; the calypso art form, the queen shows, the creative costumes that depict our life situations, are but a few of its positive attributes. As a nation it also provides a great avenue for catharsis, that is, the release of repressed emotions and tensions that can be detrimental to the human psyche. Therefore Carnival serves a good purpose.

However, you and I know that it is also a time when some people take the liberty to engage in all formed of unsavory and unacceptable behaviors. It must be realized that any form of abuse reduces a good thing to an inordinate state. Carnival, therefore, should never be used as and excuse for bad behavior, or license for indecent exposure nor should it be a reason to lower our human dignity. It seems right to conclude that if Carnival cannot be raised to its sublime value it is not worth celebrating.

For the human person, there is nothing more fulfilling than clean fun. Some fun one must have, but it should never be the cause for self degradation and regret.

I therefore appeal to all Christians during this Carnival season; have an enjoyable Carnival festival, but have the utmost respect for yourself and for others. I appeal to all parents of young children; keep a close watch over these little ones. To the youth; in the midst of having a good time, refrain from the excessive consumption of alcohol and a complete refrain from the use of illegal drugs. These reduce your inhibition and can facilitate engagement in unsavory actions and promiscuous sexual activities. We have been warned in more ways than one that HIV-AIDS is a reality.

A happy Carnival to everyone and may the Lord bless your every step on the road. Let us work towards a drug-free and an incident-free Carnival. God bless you all!

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27 Comments

  1. blunt
    February 13, 2013

    I’m happy to see the non hypocritical comments. As a Dominican I appreciate calypso and will nod my head to some Boyon songs and most aspects of carnival I do understand its significance to our identity as a people. A friend summed it this way: because of our people’s love for Jump-up and predominant Catholic community the bishop is in a precarious position.

  2. Hmmm
    February 13, 2013

    Allu Protestants does give it to me papa. Getting so upset about carnival. Its not carnival thats the problem its the way people behave. The same way they behave when they go to camp and there fornicating and what not. So please, spare me the sanctimonious lecture. smh

    • PROUD CATHOLIC
      February 13, 2013

      I totally agree with you. when they come back from camp check how many get pregnant. ( when the keep the child that is) and as they come back from camp on Tuesday evening they head down into town for last lap while me a Hard Core catholic at my home. I so happy SAT and Marpin Just show them on tv in the band after six when its dark. I strongly condemn the way some individuals behave during Carnival making it look like something sinful when its not. Doh worry they just abe so jealous of the carnival they doing the same when they have gospel concert some of them dancing so indecent and please dotn tell me if for God all u doing it because you cannot dance indecent for God. I can never forget when Bridget Bluthcher was here for a concert and the way is saw those who so righteous dance going down on the ground back off shoes etc Telling me I lying

      • Affection8
        February 14, 2013

        That still does not justify your sinful situation. you need to be a proud christian instead. this will lead you somewhere not your religion. blind

    • February 13, 2013

      The way they behave when they go to camp does not make carnival right.
      Carnival–the very root of the word means flesh.
      “Farewell oh flesh” You do everything fleshly and then mourn for forty days and then the routine begins all over.
      If you know people who go on camp and fornicate tell them in love that this is unrighteousness. What they do wrong does not justify your wrong or anybody else’s.

  3. scappy coco
    February 13, 2013

    that bishop not better than those in the band and those doing the nasty crimesto young boys overseas and now the evil pope is letting go the post because of shame not old age

  4. February 13, 2013

    Hello my people. Well I will have to say that this is a nice article which really did not criticized our carnival . Now Mr Bishop the Catholic Church is in decline in America and Europe but it is growing in Africa , South America and the Caribbean. So why do you all send all the money to the Vatican while you all are not investing in placed where you get the donations. So please invest in places where the people are supporting you. Any way I did give a donation to the church to help you fix the roof that you have been complaining about.

  5. J.J.John-Charles
    February 13, 2013

    When the gentleman asked those who participate in carnival to refrain from the excessive consumption of alcohol.Refrain from the use of illegal drugs.Promiscuous sexual activities (of course is first cousin to HIV-AIDS).
    Would such behavior derive from a Gospel crusade at the sport stadium in Roseau.?
    Mr.Malzaire,why don’t you trust the Lord Jesus Christ for the saving of you soul?

  6. Affection8
    February 11, 2013

    Carnival is reveling. The bible says revelers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:21. Webster’s collegiate dictionary defines the word as, “To be festive in a riotous or noisy manner.” Reveling is a work of the flesh. Those who engage in works of the flesh cannot go to heaven. How can God bless anyone in something that he does not condone. How can one expect people not to partake in illicit sex and drunkenness when they are part of the atmosphere that creates it. This is not a good time this is sin and religious leaders need to tell people the truth and not compromise. Say it as it is. No amount of ashes on Wednesday can wash away some of the lewd acts that will be committed during these 2 days of carnival- flesh activity. Only the blood of Jesus. Lord have mercy on our people who call themselves Christians and partake in or condone such sinful activities.

    • PROUD CATHOLIC
      February 13, 2013

      Affection8 Before you speak kindly get your facts straight. Did we as Catholics ever once tell you that the receiving of ashes on our foreheads on ash wednesday washes away sin/ or according to you the lewd acts committed etc . I thought you were more brilliant than this. Because all Christians, all intelligent christians know that its the blood of Jesus etc that washes away sins. I suggest that you take your message for yourself and begin to tell the truth as a christian. Secondly you all love to condemn Carnival nothing is wrong with Carnival its the way you partake in it. SO are you telling me that when I go to Calypso show, I commit a sin. You all quick to talk about revelling but yet still when you guys have you gospel concerts at the newtown savanna or sometimes the Old mill it is quite amazing to see the manner in which so call christians like your self behave. when the music is played. Trust if Jesus would have been in person at the Gospel concerts he would condemn the way some of you all dance and conduct yourselves. Well guess this is all you carnival.

      • Affection8
        February 14, 2013

        I feel sorry for you proud catholic. when you face Jesus you must tell him you were a proud catholic. trying to justify yourself by talking about concert. you seem to know the truth so live it. those who know the truth and do not do it will be punished.

  7. YAP
    February 11, 2013

    Great Encouragement.

  8. Anonymous
    February 11, 2013

    Thank you Bishop God bless us .

  9. blunt
    February 11, 2013

    The cultural and overall benefits as a nation that carnival gives are undeniable. But there is NO question that biblically it is condemned. I challenge anyone to tell me they had a beautiful time with the Lord when they come out jump-up

    • February 13, 2013

      @blunt February 11, 2013

      You made it sound funny, but I agree with you! Whose mind is focused on God through the functions of Carnival?

      Why don’t this man start a column on DNO to teach Dominicans and the world for that matter, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if ever he was appointed to do so?

      • Channel 1
        February 13, 2013

        @Lizavier4Jesus – How can this man truly teach about the Gospel of Jesus Christ when he is a deliberate participant in a belief system that is diametrically opposed to the fundamental teachings & practices of God’s word?

  10. February 11, 2013

    “My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Carnival is a unique time of year, which brings with it a great sense of excitement, joy and freedom”–News Article

    Is this man for real? He address people as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ before he starts with a message on Carnival, does he not know the attiude and conducts of people who are in Jesus Christ?

    Joy and Freedom in Carnival? Why do these men, of all people, keep making a mockery out of God, instead of preaching the Gospel of Life to the people?

    When a bishop of the Church go on the Internet to tell people that there is “Joy and Freedom” in the festivities of the world–such as Carnival in Dominica, how does he ever expect his congregation to turn to God through Jesus Christ, for the joy and freedom of Life–as Jesus said His Word is what makes people “free”, and His Love is what gives people “Joy”.

    After all, I believe that God is forgiving people because of their ignorance, and this man is supposed to be called to remove people from their state of ignorance of God and Life–what exactly is he doing talking to people about carnival?

    What is his point of starting with it is joy and freedom and to turn his words the other way around–what kind of message is that?

    Who will pay attention to this message as they choose to do whatever they please at carnival–it is all about the flesh, God and good things has nothing to do with the functions of carnival–He is not in people’s mind when they are feeding their fleshly hunger through the acitivities of carnival.

    Is this bishop not supposed to be living in the Spirit, so to be encouraging his congregation to to enter Life in the Spirit by their faith?

    What does the pleasures of the world have to do with Life in the Spirit? Is it not the same as darkness having nothing to do with Light?

    The apostle Paul advised us, who are in Jesus Christ, to walk in the Spirit; walk in Love so we won’t satisfy the things of the flesh–what exactly is spiritual about Carnival?

  11. sphinx
    February 11, 2013

    sense of excitement joy and freedom!

  12. February 11, 2013

    Message Appreciated. Thank You!

  13. midnight dare
    February 11, 2013

    positive message

    • Channel 1
      February 13, 2013

      @midnight dare – A “positive” message destined to lead you straight into the pit of hellfire.

  14. Waitukubul-original
    February 11, 2013

    Sir, I applaud your good intentions to reach out to the prospective carnival participants, especially the youths and “Christians”; however, as a self-proclaimed Christian (a follower of Jesus’ doctrine) you should not be a proponent of carnival (revelry) as this is in sharp opposition to Jesus’ teachings and expectations.

    In actuality, Christianity should not in any way be associated with carnival given that alcohol, nudity, all manner of partying, drunkenness, lewdness, vile dancing, and sexually- stimulating music, etc characterized the festival. Christians, at all costs, should refrain from participating and should not compromise their faith in the name of culture.

    Anyone who positions him/herself in that type of environment is subjected to the territorial spirits associated with such acts of drunkenness, sexual perversion etc. So warning people, particularly Christians, to refrain from revelry is paradoxical.

    Instead, as a self-proclaimed representative of Jesus Christ you should preach the pure gospel – repentance and a turning away from these things. If the Lord is God then serve Him if Baal then serve him – you can’t serve both.

    • Waitukubul-original
      February 11, 2013

      “So warning people, particularly Christians, to refrain from revelry is paradoxical”.

      This should read: warning people, particularly Christians, to refrain from revelry (alcohol, sexual immorality, etc)simultaneously advocating carnival participation, is paradoxical.

    • February 13, 2013

      Amen!

  15. ALL OF US
    February 10, 2013

    HAVE A BLESSED CARNIVAL GUYS
    GOOD BLESS

    • waitukubuli-original
      February 13, 2013

      A “blessed carnival”? Who blesses carnival? God?

  16. Anonymous
    February 10, 2013

    Seriously? so in other words revel but revel in a decent manner? SMH. God bless nothing He is nowhere in this worldly pleasure and traditions of man.

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