Catholic priest, Brancker ‘Brakes’ John, has raised concerns in regard to sexually explicit material and semi-nudity or complete nudity during the 2023 Carnival season.
His comments came while speaking as a guest on the Creole HeartBeat Programme aired on DBS Radio on Wednesday.
The programme, which was hosted by broadcaster creole enthusiast and radio announcer Leroy ‘Wadix’ Charles, focused on the celebration of Lent by the Catholic community. The Lenten season represents a time of introspection and, as the church, members are called to examine themselves and see where they have failed the community in that respect.
“It’s a time to proclaim the message of salvation,” Fr. John remarked. “We have to take a stance. There are some people who do not take part in carnival anymore because of that. They are not comfortable anymore.”
He continued, “So it seems there has to be that mass movement of right-thinking people who say Carnival has to be different, so it’s either we do something different with it or about it or have a separate type of enjoyment somewhere else in some other way.”
He added, “But you see, this degradation of the human person, the influx of cannabis and the increase in alcohol consumption and [sexually] explicit material, these are the symptoms of a bigger problem, especially in regards to the sexually explicit material and semi-nudity or complete nudity. This is a result of a silent volcano that has been erupting for some time and we haven’t been paying attention.”
The young Catholic clergyman believes that seismic activity has been there and if people pay attention to the Carnival videos during the 70s, 80s, 90s compared to the 2000s and presently, they will notice a vast difference in how people dressed.
“The songs, they didn’t just become sexual or explicit overnight…it was slipping into our culture early and we were not paying attention,” Fr. John noted. “Now the volcano is erupting full-blown in our face and that silent volcano has a word: it’s pornography.”
He described pornography as highly sexualized material and images meant to encourage lust, ”and it’s demonic,” he asserted.
“Many people struggle with pornography, and right now what we are seeing is the case of, from the [abandonment] of the heart the mouth is speaking. This has been happening for many years behind closed doors, silently, quietly. Now it is overflowing…,” he said. “It is a crisis and until we get a hold of pornography those things will continue.”
According to Fr. John, he reminded his congregation at Church on the Sunday before Carnival that they are children of God and are created in the image and likeness of God.
“We are children of God, we are created in the image and likeness of God and we must remember that,” he said. “To remember that you are called to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, so that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy yourself on Carnival Monday and Tuesday…but you don’t desecrate the temple of the Holy Spirit on the street or anywhere.”
He told them to remember who they are. “Have fun yes, but have fun in a way that speaks to who you are as a human being and as a Child of God.”
Furthermore, Fr. John said in order to find a solution to the problem, one of the things that has to happen is that the church has to change.
“Church has to go now to the homes, to where the people are gathered, to wherever the people are assembled, on the block, so that you can communicate goodness, you can communicate God and you can communicate love,” he explained. “And then, hopefully, maybe that will draw them back into the four walls [of the church] where the formal worship will happen.”
He went on to say that the church has not been as vocal as it ought to be.
“I did a self-examination of myself and asked why is it that I am not as vocal as I should be? And when I examine myself in that respect, it is because I don’t want to upset some people,” he explained. “When we are silent on certain things it’s because we do not want to rock the boat; we don’t want to make some people upset.”
Fr. John stated that the church is supposed to be the watchman, the security officer, “and the watchman stands on the tower and he sees what is coming from a distance…he [is] supposed to tell the people when trouble is coming…and the steps we have to take to avoid the trouble. And that is the job of the church.”
He mentioned also that Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season are supposed to, “cause us to reflect on our journey, our walk with God, and if there is something in my life that is not right I’m supposed to examine myself and the Lord gave me that season, the Lenten season, 40 days to examine.”
He said it’s also a reminder to everyone that one day, “we will die.”
“This one day I will die, I am mortal, this should really humble me. This should cause me to think about what I am doing, what I am saying, what I am thinking to avoid hypocritical behavior,” Fr. John explained.
Meantime, during a press conference held this week, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit raised concerns in regard to the musical lyrics of musicians in Dominica.
“There are concerns with regards to the lyrics that are now becoming the trend in the region, Dominica included,” he remarked.
He went on to say that one has to appreciate that we are living in a society where these songs are not only exposed to adults but they are also exposed to children.
“And I think that we have a duty to protect children from certain words and expressions,” he indicated.
Prime Minister Skerrit revealed that his government intends to engage the music community in Dominica on the issue to get people to appreciate and understand the need for them to move away from those kinds of lyrics.
“It concerns me, it concerns us, I believe it concerns the majority of people, but we need to exchange [with] the stakeholders on that, and that we will do very soon,” the Prime Minister declared.
Glad you are speaking out Father Branker.
Some of them have no respect for their bodies because those evil eyed men like it.
Carnival has to be enjoyed but with respect. They are copying now.
And don’t be surprised alot if these designers are men..SMH.
God save Dominica!
Fire is a cleanser and we need some more in de Carnival.
NOTHING about Carnival represents Jesus Christ whom Christians have been commissioned to lay down their lives and follow.
This is the hypocrisy of the church there are so many wrong doing in the country by this labour government issues on issues , you can hear you can see but you choose to see the naked women and hear the nasty songs , father what are you doing in nasty business? This song is for you , what for you to see you doesn’t see , what for you to hear you doesn’t hear . When it comes to gods work don’t be selective , in heaven no king , queen, prime minister, president, sir , no boss , don’t be selective in call out wrong , help us push electoral reform .
Fr. Brancker John has conveyed God’s message and it’s up to each of us to listen and make a difference.
I fully fully support the cleaning up of the lyrics of the music. Vulgarity was at its all time high. Baby push your hand in your …… and push it in my mouth. WAW! And thats the song thats being blasted on the loud speakers. It doesnt speak well for us as a nation if thats what we are pushing forward.
That’s what you get in a society which is led by corrupt individuals. They have no standards, no limits and no shame.
Chupes……. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Carnival has always been about uninhibited exhibisionism wrapped in an ultra sexualized and charged “hide the children” atmosphere.
Carnival chippers and jumpers across the globe are increasinly leaving nothing to the imagination. The lines of freedom of expression and hedonism have clearly been blurred for sure and for show.
It will definitely be a very tall order, if not impossible, to convince today’s naked and almost tutuni revellers to cover up.
I do agree with Father John’s concerns, however, the grim reality is the horses have already left the barn. Only the Most High can reel them back in.
Ibo France, the man is a priest. His responsibility is to speak the Word of God, as per the topic used in the news article, for example. If you want to tackle all that you mentioned above. Get off your hiding place and your fake name, and hit the road to the place of politics, and do right, to what you have claimed is wrong. You are no more than a darn coward!
Your myopic, vacuous view on the duty of a priest is the exact reason our ancestors were captured, brutalized, dehumanized, and bonded in slavery for over four hundred years. See and blind.
The European exploiters went to Africa armed with their bibles. They colonized the whole of the continent, brainwashed the native inhabitants to work hard for the benefit of their new masters, and look to the sky for their reward when they die.
While our forebears turned their eyes to the sky for centuries, the invaders departed with their gold and mineral resources and left our people holding on to the bible poverty stricken and dispossessed.
According to you this is what should still obtain. The preacher goes to church; take the people’s tithes and offerings; tell them to look to the celestial sphere for their reward; while being oblivious to all the suffering ad misery of the parishioners. Inane!
Are you a fool or an Atheist. The foll will say there is no God. I am not talking religion I am talking about the unadulterated word of God.one day you must die and believe in something or somebody. I pray God forgive you for spreading such foolishness. IBO you and your education will not make it to the kingdom…. Be wise dude. God is real.
Just read this article. I am a believer and that is the first I heard of a priest using scriptures and very fluent. I think God is speaking through him. Yes our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I will not call you father but I foresee you getting off the Catholic teaching and being fully committed to God. Very good article sir.
Papa Bodier, but here Elizabeth nou Stupes tan. Is this how these workers of iniquity behave? Zor
@Elizabeth, ……..
Very ignorant and foolish comment..!
The problem is simply this: until you Roman Catholic clergy resolve to preach the full true original Gospel which Messiah proclaimed and not this modified accomodating gospel which offers people an “eat your cake and have it” kind of spirituality, the problem will continue to stare you all on your faces. Carnival has received the full blessing and unreserved validation by the church. What you sow you’ll reap when the truth is withheld and compromised. Repentance and conversion must start with the clergy first. You can’t give what you don’t have.
This is absolutely brilliant Mr. Benjamin you have spoken gospel truth. Wow. Nothing but the truth. The time will come they will call on the name of the Lord as stated in Eziekel and He will not answer. Wake up my people. There is a real God.
I beg to differ. The Catholic church has not changed its stance on carnival throughout my lifetime. However, society itself has changed. It must start at home, not the church. The church can only do so much, however when you have parents who know no better having children that are worse, you think a man preaching from a pulpit can reach the ears of these people who only want to hear about money and good time? The home first thats where it MUST begin. Gerard Benjamin while the church has a role to play in providing moral and spiritual guidance, you cannot make a horse drink if it doesnt want to. the home thats where it starts.
Time to put “be brakes on dem”
Part (2) – Why the rise of sex on Carnival.- continued
With the more educated and younger people leaving in droves, the education system just furnishing more immigration, money became scarce in Dominica as it is today. Women needing to secure a man used sex as a tool to secure the most affluent man, even if he was already married. Dominican men do not respect women. as long as their lusts are satisfied, why worry. Sex which was designed by God to create the next generation in stable married partnerships, has become a tool of entrapment. It is not pornography.
We have to educate our women so that they can support themselves without having to sell their bodies and dance naked in front of men. Men have to learn to not look at women as objects of lust, but as partners through life. Our governments have to think carefully, to plan a society where living costs are not so high, that an average man cannot support his family without resort to theft and stress.
This is the naked truth but they don’t like to hear it. Remember how they crucified Lennox for telling the truth in calling most of them prostitutes. That’s the thing the truth always hurts.
Father Brancker,
Part (1)- why the rise of sex in cvarnival
Every year since the time of slavery, plantation workers were given some time off at this time of year to have a party. The crop of Sugar cane would have been gathered and the juice extracted, boiled and sent to England in Barrels. The plantation owners happy to have made 30% on their investment, relented and gave carnival Monday and Tuesday off for dancing and enjoyment.
Us negro slaves were happy to be alive and celebrated another year of life in Dominica and used the occasion to have a party. 1834 slavery was abolished but the custom continued. Time passed and Calypso developed to help entertain the annual crowds, Calypsonians ( like the mighty Sparrow) used the lyrics to comment on the local state of politics.
In Dominica since 50 years ago(say), economic decline has been the norm. Immigration of 30% of Dominicans to Canada, USA, UK, saw the best leave. Leaving elderly retirees and people who could not afford to…
Such great articles. I for sure left. I was not taught none of this in History. I enjoyed you sentiment. Maybe you should put this and more in a book form. Woelw kudos to you Mr. Mitchell. Yes I believe.
Father Brancker,
Dominica has been stagnating for last 40 years under various governments. The girls have nothing else to attract the men but raw sex. Men are attracted by raw sex and anal sex. For these 2 days of carnival since its inception during tomes of slavery, sex has been the main ingredient.
Until girls place a value on their sexuality and men come to the realisation that sex is primarily for the creation of the next generation in a secure family environment, then we will have all these instances of naked dancing on the streets of Roseau during carnival.
Let us not hide behind pornography. We have to respect ourselves as men. Our girls need further education, so that they have the financial means of being independent of men. Then they will have an alternative to determining their financial independence. Wake up father John and open your eyes.
Sex, poverty, prostitution are all related by money.
And you get vicarious pleasure out of watching, RIGHT?
No “ds”I do not.
It could have been me or my mother or my sister. I love the female members of my family. I was brought up by 2 Auntys. Agatha Robinson-MBE- Girl Guide Commissioner Dominica and Education Officer, and Mrs Olive Cuffy – Shop Keeper, Potters Ville.
There is no vicarious pleasure watching a poor girl Gyrating next to me. I had better take off my jacket and cover her up. We need to revisit the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. I am all right today, by accident of birth. Joffre Robinson and Agatha Robinson gave me an education. I started sleeping in the passage of their home at 27 Federation Drive, age 6 years old. I worked in their homes doing the washing up, cleaning their cars and gardening in return for a plate of food. Benoit Bardouil is my school mate at DGS. I passed my 11 plus exams curtesy of Mrs Rita Bernadette Thomas, giving extra afternoon classes. The rest is history. I worked 1 year Cooper & Lybrand, saved my salary. UK after Hurricane…
Proud of what you have accomplished sir. Well done and great testimony. You are no mistake and had to work hard for your your education. I don’t know you but I am proud of you no shame in your game. Bless you sir
There is no need to call me Sir. I am just like you. Mortal and sometimes rude.
DS, you should not measure others by your standards, which happen to be very low. But what could one expect from a Skerrit supporter and toilet diver. Nuff said.
Ninety five percent of the people who walk and dance naked are women. why we women taking our covering off and exposing of be our countenance. Men goes by site. What they see and women goes by touch. It is shameless and I think carnival needs to be regulated like gasoline. Shame on some of these parents who allow their youth to go naked on the streets. The Govt needs to get involved. It is no respect to Dominica. Shame on us.
Father with all due respect to you and the clergy
All of you are hypocrites
How can you sanction something halfway
Dance half naked on Monday and Tuesday
Then come for ash on Wednesday
Rubbish
you didnt read man? Or you didnt understand what you read? The man is speaking about everything.
Dude let the custodians of catholic speak for themselves. Remember they schooled us that sex is aka bad-fing?
They introduced celibacy and allow you black fellas to be priests, your numbers are dwindling because we know better about this isht today, stay with your white Jesus burned in the African sun but white – just leave us alone, get a woman is the manly thing to do. Just move on.
Gone Are The Days-
We must moderate our comments against father John. I think that he is a very good and caring man sacrificing his life to serve us. It is good to see that in this material day (2023), a priest can choose celibacy and service ahead of his own material satisfaction.
Forget about the race issue. God has nothing to do with the colour of our skin. God is there with his coat to cover up our nakedness. To help us to find jobs and skills. I would like to communicate with this priest.
I have a few ideas for helping Dominican men and women to come to England to work and save some capital for their families like I have done. I just need an honest partner in Dominica. If he is reading this, he can email me on [email protected], or someone can bring me to his attention.
God works in mysterious ways.
Do not fear criticism father. There is still God out there and a clever Accountant, ready to help his poor brothers and sisters to do the right thing for his GOD’s…
The gradual loss of common decency and basic standards has been lost since that man from the north took over. No surprise really since corruption, wrong accounting, cheap propaganda and even blatant lies are common place in Dominican politics.
…and that dunce Missus of his isn’t any better!
You are too late “Father” you cannot bend a tree when it is old. 99 % of the people you are referring to are Catholics. The rest are atheists and those who have no religions at all. Your religion doesn’t teach and preach holy living and repentance of Sins. So it was just a matter of time. And it will get even worst. Some of your female followers go to work dressed half naked and indecent. You are a hypocrite, Fadah. You aught to preach Sin in your pulpit and the repentance of the same starting with the man in the mirror.
Well said I’m out. It will get worse if things don’t change in a few years women will be having carnival completely naked and having sex in the open. Watch my words. The priest which I don’t call father also have desires. They need to get a wife. Nothing in the Bible says it is wrong. This needs to stop immediately and come back too roots. If it takes banning carnival that’s okay because God is not pleased with that. When they take thier clothes off they expose to all kinds of stuff. have men rubbing on you and even showing an E…….n… Shame on us. After experiencing such bad hurricanes I thought we would be more More God awareness. Instead it has gotten worse. Bad environment to have kids really.
This is true.
Put de Brakes on them!
Amen. Well said, Father.
Church doesn’t appear to have any influence over leadership in government…….that’s the major problem.
These ‘big’ government ministers get the best seat in the church….they are de only ones in de seat right through de period you talk of…..they get rewarded!
Now look what de church allow to slip under its wings……de hatred that comes out of parliament!
It’s a shame quite frankly!
Tell de leaders that they are shameful to see that as entertainment!!!!
It started somewhere and we too ashamed to say who contributed to this????
Well it will consume us before we realize we lost our culture.
Thanks for coming out and speaking your truth!!!!
But the voice of the religious leaders is drowned by de nasty bouyon influence…..Dat nastiness gets promoted by de leader of our parliament …..in parliament!!!!!!!!!
De person Dat gets promoted now sits in a jail eh …….. wowwww
We know how we got here and who led and continue to lead us there
@dissident, Church is for the functions of worship to the Almighty and Holy God, as He chooses the leaders. Those men/women have commonly studied and own a degree in Theology–to be qualified for their work. God did not call them to have influence on the leaders of the Government–the men/women who deal with the social and economic needs of the people of a given country. Those men are commonly known as politicians–who should know quite a bit about Political Science.
As ever you talk utter BS. Why don’t you go to LA for a while and nurse that other sicko. Birds of a feather always flog together.
The true church which is called the Ecclesiast is not made with bricks and wood. Ok you should know better that the building which is called the church was not made for believers it was made for the unsaved. You get to that building and if you are not dressed like the stylish Christian they would not seat next to you. The Bible said go to the by ways and command them to come in. How many of us so called believers are doing that. The church should be a hospital for the unbelievers. Not a fashion show or the Red Carpet. Yes dress propriatly but leave room for the unbelievers. Go figure Pastor Liz.
Government started in the church Liz. With the children of Israel. They wanted a King when God wanted to be a Theocracy Govt that meaning to be their Leader they kicked against the prick and then God gave them what they asked for. We need to be an influence over those who Lead and have strong counsel for our leaders. We should not be to self righteous where we can’t pray for our leaders and those in authority. Will the true church stand up? The church that carries God true presence that people don’t need a Bible to see God when they look at you.
Father you have so much to say on this issue. Yes, it’s becoming a growing concern but there are more serious anomalies happening that you and your ilk have looked on with depraved indifference.
Here are some that need your urgent attention: child sexual abuse, starvation wages, no poverty alleviation programs, corruption in high places, fraudulent elections, victimization police killings and brutality, bogus arrests, raping of the treasury, misuse and abuse of the CBI program, inordinate delays at the court, et cetera.
Obscenities are bad but the aforementioned social and political problems are worse. The men of cloth should also give those issues some ventilation.