Catholic priest, Fr. Nigel Karam has called for “respect, trust and consensus” as the debate on electoral reform continues in the country.
Fr. Karam, of the Dominica Christian Council, was the moderator of a discussion on electoral reform organized by the Electoral Reform Group.
The Electoral Reform Group includes the Dominica Christian Council, the Dominica Evangelical Churches Association, the Dominica Business Forum In. (DBF Inc.), the Dominica Bar Association, the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) and the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU).
The leaders of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) were all invited to be part of the public discussion but the DLP failed to show up.
The topic for the discussion was is: “Electoral Reform – Facilitating the verification of identity of persons on the Voter Registration Lists to enhance the process of issuing Voter ID.”
Fr. Karam stated that over the course of the discussion and debate on electoral reform. sometimes things that are unpleasant are said which include, name calling and summarily dismissing each other.
“As a result, I think we need to keep that word in mind “respect” as we continue to discuss an important topic like this,” he said.
“As a maturing nation and people, we need to build consensus among ourselves. It is not only the most powerful that has to gain all its advantage but everybody deserves a hearing. In the hearing, both the minority and the majority, I think we come to a broader sense of what is right, what is good, what is true and what is noble,” the Catholic priest stated. “We have to be able to trust each other…if we are going to have any discussions and have openness and listen to the views of each other, we must have trust; trust our government, opposition, those in minority opposition and those who are seeking the good of the country.”
Meantime, chairman of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Johnson Boston who was also part of the discussion called for all stakeholders to be considered equal as it relates to the discussion of electoral reform.
“The Freedom party, DLP, Workers party and the voters are all equal in this discussion and no one should feel that they have a monopoly on this discussion…the Commission is an independent commission established by law and they should not be influenced to anything with individuals and or political parties,” Boston said.
He exhorted the Commission to do “what is right for the people of Dominica so that our democracy can be maintained and we can enhance our democracy going forward.”
Everything should be fine as long as yours truly does not send out his goon squads dressed up in camouflage playing soldier on election day frightening and intimidating voters at the polls. The next election needs to have international polling observers and police to arrest anyone including politicians interfering with people who are voting.
Born and raised in theRoman Catholic faith I decided to abandon the church a few years ago when the accusations of “alleged” molestation of the young by the catholic clergy exploded globally. To this day I remain a free thinker in terms of religion but hearing how these guys on the DLP station disrespected Fr. Karam I am forced to come to his defense. In so doing I say; May they be damed to the pits of hell unless an apology is issued. FIRE BURN THEM ETERNALLY!. These DLP apologists cannot be allowed to attack the young priest for doing NOTHING wrong. I await to hear from the bishop of Roseau and fellow priests asap.
Nothing wrong in attending a meeting of such nature but to be conducting or cheering such an event?! That speaks volume.
The END is at hand. Many are called but few are chosen. False prophets. Wars and rumors of war. Strange things will happen. Children will be making children. Family disorder,etc. It was written
Chairing not cheering, google the word if you not sure kid.
Even as the priest is calling for respect, trust, and consensus, throughout this significant discussion, there are still people thinking and writing with a negative mode.
It is still sounding as if someone or some people are simply expecting the “Electoral Commission” to simply say change the “voting list” to the form that suits their expectation, or else “nothing” is being done right for them.
Why criticize the call for respect, trust, and consensus, if this situation is heading towards a conclusion that will be the satisfaction of the majority?
I see no other way to that a good and fair conclusion. But isn’t that what everyone is hoping for?
It is amazing that anytime a civil organization plans a public discussion tbe ruling party does not show up. This is the respect the government shows dor the various organizations and unions. What the government does not understand tbese civil organizations have members and represent the productive sector of our population. It is time that they actively persuade thier members to vote against all representatives of the DLP. When the union got the double bouble everyone benefited. People dont understand that collectively they have the power and its time to teach this gov a lesson. No need to be afraid. Document all victimization because it will be used as evidence for later. When its to get drug dealers and criminals to assemble the DLP candidates posing thier best for photos trying to pretend they down to earth. These folks are lime expired can goods at the port after Maria and need to be dumped
Admin: My submission last night was based solely on the comments as you posted it on your site; hence, I believe there shouldn’t be reason for the omission of my comments.
You see some of us are trained creative writers, we can select two or one word out of a one line sentence and write a book!
I am one of those persons, trained in the field of electrical/electronic engineering, compounded with a certain amount of health science training: creative writing which is an English discipline is mandatory in my profession.
I conclude this by reminding Nigel it is an embarrassment to believe there can be trust and respect in politics, consensus in this case means agreeing to and respect another opinion, even If the other opinion is flawed; should it be respected?
Let it be noted, where religion; preachers are involved; conflict prevails!
Conflict between Church and State, that’s why nothing shall come from this religion talk!
Father, we are not a maturing nation anymore because under Skerrit the country has been degraded to a massive Kindergarten and everything is orchestrated by the big clown Skipo. It’s a crying shame. You guys need speaking up instead of pussyfooting around. What are you afraid of???
Anyway to those who were calling on the Catholic church to speak they speaking eh. I hope you all listening!
You all priests are too involve in politics one day God will show you all sign just as he did to one as per himself, the bible flew from his hands.
Religion and Politics go hand in hand
In the beginning, the priests held slaves of their own, until some brave people led the way against the atrocity and the church joined the movement and called for the abolition of this heinous act. Note the church is the organization which says it is the representative of a loving Jesus here on earth. For 15 years there has been a call for electoral reform and the Catholic Church has once again stood by and now joins the people’s efforts to get the much called for election reforms. Note how the church comes into the fray calling for respect, trust and consensus. We don’t trust a government which for such a long time has made no effort to reform the electoral process. Without trust, there can’t be a consensus. The church went to bed with the Nazis to preserve itself instead of standing against injustice, today we see the same thing, in that having gone to bed with the dictator Skerritt, there is no direct call on the government to enact electoral reform. Wishy-washy church position.
Profound thoughts, Mr. St. Jean, as perusual! The church is guilty, ever so often, of just glossing over serious issues. They (churches) usually advocate peace, love, respect without demanding justice and fairness for the victims. Here is a government that is in survival mode. This government has done unspeakable harm to the citizens and is singularly focused on stealing another election. Instead of demanding electoral reforms, transparency in government’s procurement practices, fairness for all citizens despite their political affiliations, the Father is advocating respect for a most corrupt and evil administration. Something is very wrong with that. The church should call a spade a spade and stop equivocating.
Electoral Reform is an important and critical subject in relation to Dominica’s democracy and I am pleased to see that civil society and political parties are now engaged in looking for answers to ensure that free and fair elections becomes the norm in Dominica..The failure of attendance of the DLP is unfortunate Does that signal that the DLP is NOT interested in electoral reform??
Thank God we still have some good and wise Priests left. I know we have a handful of good pastors like Randy, Auguist and Jack. However the Evangelist has destroyed himself in the corruption of Skerrit just like JI