What I heard from Sir Brian Alleyne, retired Chief Justice (Acting) of the OECS Court at the public lecture at the Fort Young hotel on June 18th 2013 provided another opportunity for real reflection as a civilized society. One such area that cries out for reflection is in the area of self-introspection on how we as a Christian people, particularly the Catholic faithful deal with each other regarding issues of morality, ethics and truth, the law and importantly our spiritual relationship, not only with our maker but indeed with one another.
Sir, Brian was at the time speaking on the topic “Faith and the Law” at a public lecture organized by the Diocese of Roseau (Catholic Church) in observance of the Church’s “Year of Faith”. Sir Brian’s presentation does not answer all of the questions relative to all of the issues, and I did not agree with all the arguments he advanced either, but it is a sufficiently good foundation for critical thinking and the development of other interrelated subject areas.
Judging from the media reports that followed the presentation, I have concluded that the media in Dominica was not present. Or those who were present were so focused on what they wanted Sir Brian to say that they just did not hear anything else. From what I have read or heard, the only two subjects that seem to attract the attention of the media are those related to “Buggery” and the ugly face of corruption that seem to be dogging the “Legal Profession”. I have not seen or heard any report or commentary on the number of other issues that Sir Brian took time out to identify and elucidate on. Alas! It says much about the interest of the media. Just to cite two other issues
In his presentation, Sir Brian alluded to the absence of or none appointment of an Ombudsman since the coming into force of the constitution of Dominica in 1978. The office of Obudsman as presented in the constitution is an important institution related to the good governance of this country. I may not be too far off if I suggest that Sir Brian might have remarked that he takes some of the blame unto himself (not appointing an Obudsman) since he served for three consecutive terms as a senior member of the government of Dominica during the period 1980-1995. Sir Brian lamented the lack of will on our part (successive governments) to follow through with such an important appointment as provided for in the constitution. As a follower of developments locally, I do recall that the closest we’ve come to begin dealing with the appointment of an Obudsman was during the period 1995-2000. At that time I remember there was a meeting of Caribbean Obudsmen/women that was held in Antigua. Dominica was represented at that meeting by a member of the ruling party of Dominica – an insider from its Women’s Arm. Please note that the Obudsman is supposed to be a non-partisan person representing every aspect of Dominican life and aspirations. A party insider could never do justice to the intent and spirit of that constitutional provision.
Another classic omission from the reporting of Sir, Brian’s presentation has to do with the role and functions of the Public Accounts Committee. This is a constitutionally provided for provision in law establishing a parliament appointed committee to monitor the management of government’s finances. The Public Accounts Committee is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and includes members from both the government and opposition benches. The committee has sweeping powers to investigate, look into and report to the parliament its findings on any aspect of government’s finances. It can summon documents, records, personalities (holders of Public Offices), hold meetings and carry out inquiries as it deems fit and necessary into how the public purse is managed. Any “wrong” doing is reported to parliament and parliament is empowered to take action. I am careful to say that Sir Brian expressed great disappointment in the functioning or rather non-functional status of Dominica’s Public Accounts Committee. I should add too that for two years the committee could not be appointed on account of the absence of members of the opposition from the parliament.
Of course during the question and answer time, the comments were directed more at what government and not opposition is or not doing in violation of the constitution. In a particular comment the presenter failed miserably to hide the fact that similar sentiments and perhaps worst could be attributed to the opposition. Sir Brian was quick to point out that the opposition party in parliament is equally guilty of failing to fulfill an important aspect of its constitutional role as head of the Public Accounts Committee. Not one meeting has been held since the start of the current parliament – more than 3 years ago. Yet we daily carry the torch complaining of seeming wrong doings in the management of government’s finances. As a faith believing people, we have failed to ask those responsible for such an important aspect of our development – why has the committee failed in its responsibility to live up to its constitutional functions? I thought the media would have picked that up on these and offer an informed comment. That was not to be. They chose the more sensational and did not even do a good job at that.
Today we must not only demand more of our leaders in government, but we must also critically assess and evaluate all that the opposition has thrown in our direction. We should also stay far away from a Theocray, where church and state is one institution with two branches. Those we chose to lead us in the seat of government must be imbued with certain spiritual values, including truth, honesty and love of others, that will serve to inform our legislative and development pathway.
From a Christian perspective, I came away with the conclusion that we, all of us have fallen short on our role as Christians. We have resorted to finger pointing, not realizing that our own fingers are pointing right back at us. We have taken umbrage with the speck in our neighbours eye, totaling forgetting the pain caused by a log in our eyes. We have laid all the blame on someone else and not me.
I speak only for myself in this piece. I am not perfect as I forge a daily struggle to stay above the fray and survive everyday living a decent Christian life. From experience, it is not easy, for all too often I find myself not measuring up with the spiritual blue print that ought to guide and direct our life as Christians – followers of Jesus. I look forward to more thought provoking lectures.
History will keep repeating itself. The Ceasers the Pilates the Judasses are here and operating in the Political arena.Once in a blue we get a Mandela who rises and has no malice ,instead of retaliation He went for reconciliation.
All others are Hypocrites and don’t anyone deny or defend it .Just let it be accepted
Ron, I salute you. In this environment of character assassination, hatred and deep division, not many persons would have penned their names to this article, although there is nothing wrong with it. Just think about the number of persons who are writing in the Chronicle and hiding under pen names while attacking left, right and center.
What did Ronald say in here that is different. DNO did not expond on the failure of the accounts committe? Ronald I was looking forward to something of substance. Here is an advise though. If you want the scale tipped in your own bias opinion maybe you should have ask ….. for that. You focused on the media and I am wondering wether you meant all the media houses. Ronald it sometimes better to zip it.
It seems you ned that kind of advise more than Ronald. He has not hidden his bias, nor have you. So take your advice unto yourself. One day, one day, canker day, all of us wil wake up to a stark reality. We can agree to disagree,but why should we be disagreeable. It is better to “Jaw jaw, than war, war”.
Ronald Charles has no idea how the media operates. You simply cannot go to an event and report on EVERYTHING that was said.
The media must pick and choose things that are relevant, topical, in the news and current.
There are scores of other events taking place at the same time and to report on everything that takes place in all of them will simply lead to overload.
The critics are usually the ones who sit on the fence and do nothing.
you have said absolutely nothing at all.
Sir Brian went off on an intellectual tangent and took a head dive into the realms of the political. What does Ombudsman and public Accounts Committee have to do with LAW & FAITH ” The stated theme of his Lecture ? It is rather shameful that this commentary attempt to take a cowardly swipe at our hardworking Media especially DNO.
I DIDNT SUPPORT THE RUBBISH OF SIR BRIAN!!!! As a Catholic I deplore BORGARIN!
Nice display of ignorance.It is very funny in a era of information some people still choose to be ignorant.
As a Catholic you could have been more circumspect in your criticisms of a personal comment. I suspect you were or have not been listenming to the teachings of your church. Remember two Sundays ago when a prostitute cried over Jesus’ feet and wiped the tears with her hair. Remember what Simon the hosts said about Jesus? “if only he knew what kind of she was” If he was who he say he was he would not allow “that woman” to even come close to him much more to wipe his feet with her hair. Of course you, like Simon see yourself as better individuals than any other sinner who probably has come straight and admitted their fault or whose fault/ugly sins the world knows about. Take note, your sin, your hidden sin is as much of a spiritual scandal as any other person sin. Think of that. Who give you the authority anyway to judge anybody.
to answeer your question about “law and Faith” regarding the Obudsman and Parliamentary Accounts Committee. you see it is Christians who have taken the oathof office to fucntion in such positions of national importance. they took an oath and solemnly declare to observe the law in the discharge of their functions – their social response to the daily needs of the fellowman – fellow Christians. So when without any good reason they fail to dischrge their responsibilities, then they do injury to their standing as Christians among their brethren. The functions of the Obudsman and Public Accounts Committee are not contrary to the teachings of Christianity. In fact if and when PROPERLY discharged, they serve to put value on the Christian life particularly in our relatiosn with each other at a national level.
By the way,can you show anywhere the Catholic Church condone homosexuality. the church abhors the act, but like Jesus must show mercy andlove to those who are involved and try to led them to away from that lifestyle to one where they can enjoy a fruitful relationship with God. you may not be a Gay, but think of the many sins you have committed. that toois an outrage for the church. you may think it is a lesser evil, as faras society is concerned, but for the church all sin is sin. Yours and mines.
Now go ahead and call me a fool.
Excellent piece of writing sir. it gives much pleasure to read such a critique.
Thoughtful commentary, We sorely need more of this critical thinking based approach to observation and commenting instead of the rampant bias and emotional self gratification that mires this country of ours.
One question though, what other media house besids DNO has published your editorial? This is also something that is lacking: acceptance of self-critical reports from individuals and organizations. Due to the way they handled their story, DNO would be included as being guilty of your criticism of the media and how reporting is handled and the general bias towards sensationalism or “what sells”. I applaud the fact that they are often willing to publish material (articles, comments etc) that are critical of their organization.
A very well-written article.
I really don’t expect much comments though, since it touches on the heart of what you were trying to bring out in the article, and that is: Dominicans are much more interested in the ‘sensational stuff’ and not much about anything else.
I guess that’s where the media takes its cue. A sad state of affairs indeed!!!!!!!
The Chronicle newspaper is publishing Sir Brian’s lecture. So, all the issues he raised can be read by the paper’s readers.
Please note the above commentary noted that the media failed in its responsibility to critically comment on the many issues that were raised in the lecture. Reproducing the lecture in whole or in part,has its merit. there is NEED for objective commentary, no matter what the subject area or who presented it. The Chronicle should be commended. a properly constructed and objective commentary of lecture would certainly prove that you are not a “herd follower”. You have however proven that you are indeed a “herd follower of sorts – a “Mouton Batalie” they say?
Mr Brian ALLeyne was the Attorney General for 15 years and he did nothing about an Ombudsman.
No need to remind us of this as Sir Brian himself has alluded to that … just as the writer stated.
Also it does not mean that because he did not do it he should not speak on it.
About time we move forward as a people!