The Coalition of Evangelical Pastors and Leaders has written to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit concerning a number of proposals for immediate consideration and implementation in order to help save the nation in light of the widespread abuse of children in Dominica.
The letter dated, March 17, 2016 was copied to Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, President of the Dominica National Council of Women, Vanya David and Chairman of the NGO Coalition, Phillip Carlisle.
But Pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church (TBC), Randy Rodney, told Dominica News Online on Friday that to date no response has been received from the Office of the Prime Minister.
“I don’t have an acknowledgement yet of the letter so I don’t believe he intends to respond.The letter was dated March 17 and it was hand delivered the same day,” he stated. “It’s a month now and no response.”
However, he said that the opposition has acknowledged the letter stating that, “they will support it when the matter is taken to Parliament, because we are suggesting for something to be looked at in Parliament.”
In part of the letter, the pastors requested that the Prime Minister through parliament, address some of the archaic laws within the country’s justice system namely, ‘The sexual offense act #1 of 1998 and The Children and Young Persons Welfare Act Chapter 37…..51 of 1972’.
“We therefore, call on all leaders across the board in this country to approach their responsibility with utmost importance and the maximum priority,” the letter noted. “We call on the Executive of government as well as the opposition to be equitable, honest and transparent in the administration of their duties as representatives of the citizens of Dominica.”
The letter continued, “We call on males in our society to take their role as men and fathers in the nation, leading through modelling rather than by speech, leading the charge to rebuild a disciplined and productive nation. We call on women to esteem morality as a lofty ideal and to renew their belief in self-worth and dignity.”
A rally is planned for Saturday 16 at Peebles Park in Roseau to address the issue of abuse of children in Dominica.
“Pastors from the Northern Pastor’s Fellowship and members in Portsmouth, as well as Pastors and leaders in the south, are expected to join in the rally,” Pastor Rodney said.
According to him, representation is also expected from the NGO Coalition, the National Youth Council, among other groups.
“The public should expect some education as well as a proposal on a way forward in terms of child abuse,” he said. “The public should also expect the church’s position on the subject.”
The rally will begin from 10:00 am under the theme: “Protecting our Heritage”.
See the full letter to the Prime Minister below.
Yes sit down n wait on Skerrit to fix problem. Pastors please move away from the four walls of the church building and go and bring the good news of salvation to the lost and dying. Remember the great commision ‘go into all the world and preach the gospel’. It didnt say come. Dominicans when last you saw a pastor or pastors on the road witnesssing or keeping open air? No they sit down in their fancy vehicles with tinted windows collecting big tax free salaries on the backs of the poor congregation. No one wants to be seen on the hyways and byways.They using wassap to communicate. They treat the chuch building like club house. What a shame
For your information, and the development of your mind only “andromeda!”
I do not know where you get your argument form!
Under normal circumstance I would fire a shot at you, but because I see you have the wrong concept of government, and how it works I’ll let it slide. Where in the world you were thought that Government has to baby-sit peoples children?
Learn this: Government is a term generally used to describe the formal institutions through which a land, and its people are ruled.
To govern is to rule!
Government is comprised of institutions, and processes that rulers establish to strengthen, and perpetuate their power, or control over a territory and the inhabitants. A government may be as simple as a tribal council that meets occasionally to advise the chief, or as complex, our very own supposedly democratic system, with its forms, rules, and bureaucracies.
This more complex government is referred to as “the state” an abstract concept referring to the…
This more complex government is referred to as “the state” an abstract concept referring to the source of all public authority. Keep in mind the tribal council, and their chief on the Carib Indian Reservation in Dominica is a government. Whatever their makeup, governments historically have included two basic components: a means of coercion, such as an army, or police force, and a means of collecting revenue.
These two key components have been the essential foundations of government; they are the building blocks that all individuals, and groups who ever sought to rule have been compelled to construct if they were to secure, and maintain any measure of control over a country, and people.
Government made no plans to baby-sit peoples children, or give free money, and food, and house to individuals, okay!
Government however, supposed to provide the infrastructures necessary for a country to progress, and prosper, hence, employment would be common, the inhabitants of the…
Government however, is supposed to provide the infrastructures necessary for a country to progress, and prosper, hence, employment would be common, the inhabitants of the country could exchange labor for money and take care of their responsibilities, looking after their children, affording them even if it is the mere necessities of life, thus they would not become vulnerable to the haves such as politician and who prey on the vulnerability of the children for a few dollars.
Discipline yourselves before having children, hence when you bring children into this world you are able to train them, so that you wont have to depend on government to feed and dispelling them, it is not about government, it is about an individual effort to train their children properly, and stop depending on government to take of you!
Responce to what, preach to the parents in your chruches thats your problem is. NOT the PM.
Them pastors are jokes. What they should focus on is not taking advantage of the congregation and the wives and young ladies that looking up to them. all that is abuse also. abuse of power.
Nice try I wonder why you run and make your own church. I see one of your victims singing for you now in the church. You’re a brave man with that rod….
False Preaches Rodney you are one of them! stop doing the devil work
to be quite frank pastor,i do not see what skerrit has to do and can to better this situation besides just passing legislation, yes they should address stiffer laws at the next parliamentary sitting,but the bulk of defending and upbringing of children rest in the hands of the parents,and this is also where the church comes in,what happen to the power of jesus which you guys claim to exercise daily,have you guys lost your faiths,it should be the government depending on the churches for guidance,not the other way around
The quest to find justice and a safe place for our children to grow and develop must be a multi-pronged attack. While laws with teeth will provide a sense of justice for the citizenry, they are meaningless if the behavior of the abusers is unaddressed. What’s the point of sentencing someone to a lengthy jail term after the damage has already been done to our children? We need to stop the bleeding, before it starts.
Pastor Rodney, you have to use the “Bully Pulpit” to identify, define and propose creative solutions to the issue of child abuse in Dominica. You, in conjunction with every other religious leader on the island must make this issue a central theme in every sermon that you give.
Additionally, invite trained counselors from neighboring islands through your church to help address the issue. Hold small workshops and seminars for parents, young children and in particular, men. Help create an atmosphere where adults and children can discuss these issues without being shamed or blamed. Our culture also plays a prominent role in deviant sexual behavior. This is not something that will go away in a day or two. There has to be a long term plan of action that is very flexible to help deal with this issue. Furthermore, we must meet people where they are, before we begin to impose or sense or morality and wright and wrong upon them.
Furthermore, we must meet people where they are, before we begin to impose our sense of morality and what’s right and what’s wrong upon them.
I said before you RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN come together and organize the people , Bishop, cardinal, priests pastors, lay preachers what is wrong with you, use your podium and pulpits and preach the truth against abuse and dictatorship, let your voices be heard teach that truth. What do you guys think Christ did when he was on earth?
The Priests and Pastors in the past used their pulpits to join the then opposition to take down Patrick John. Didn’t you know that maybe you were too young to know. But there is one active clergy man who is still around what is he doing hiding?
Speak out the people need leaders you guys are the elites Christ is with you use his help he will help.
Ask and you shall receive seek and you shall find knock and it shall be open unto you. We are a Christian Nation.
With God all things are possible. Lead you religious people, YOU WILL WALK ON FIRE YOU WONT GET BURN.
YOUR letter should be address to the mothers who let their children wander the streets like little goats. Your political biasness is so pathetic you don’t deserve an answer. Lecture the children who are making children and hold parents responsible for the ill manners of their children. The job of the PM isn’t to educate mothers, as pastor you have a moral obligation to hold parents responsible for the behavior of their children. First and foremost children should have a crew few and alcohol should not be sold to minors. PM is in his bed when these children are enjoying their seewoo. Your church pews are empty go in the streets and bring them back to the fold. That’s your God given responsibility.
I doh want to wait in vain. Dr. ##### Five more years, We love our PM. Keeping it Real The country Nice Boy once my Bread has butter on it. R.I.P. Phillip must be rolling in his Grave. The voice of the people is the voice that will break the vin–ce, Code. A dormant Volicanoe in Dominica.
WHAT HAPPENEND TO THE PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN, NO ONE TALK ABOUT THAT. they are out all night with very little on them what are they looking for ?. Thats where the prob. is. Why do we Lock our cars and homes ?.Dont lock your child but…..let them be children.
Why the religious rhetoric in such a letter. I do not deny the sincerity of Pastor Rodney and The Coalition of Evangelical Leaders in addressing the problem.The problem at hand is a moral issue regarding adults and the lack of education imparted to children and teenagers in identifying such immoral behavior by adults, asking The Government to amend laws does not necessarily solve a moral issue. Why not ask the Government to introduce sex education in the school curriculum.The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.
Will de bold face Roseau MP talk about saving our young children from adult males.
They are pastors so they will probably know the hymn that includes this:
O wait, meekly wait, and murmur not,
O wait, meekly wait, and murmur not
O wait, O wait,
O wait, and murmur not
It probably pertains to this situation also !!!!!
I dare any one make comments against what Mr. Telemaque said, for if you do, you should get counselling from your pastor and, if any pastor disagreed, he himself the Pastor, should get counselling from Mr. Telemaque. briliant
Rodney you working for uwp but your plans will fail…………
Skerrit does not make the problem of the citizens of Dominica especially the children and the vulnerable a priority..He is doing little charity gifts to fool those who cannot see in the future.It is a shame that the people are so blind to elect Skerrit a second time but note well there is an end to every thing..the most cruel dictators all around the would had an end further more for Skerrit..It is time to upgrade the system of voting ,so that Dominicans living abroad can help put this man out of office.Nonetheless this crucial problem does not rely only on the gov’t to help put an end to it..parents are responsible of the where about of their children and who they frequent even though they cannot always be at their backs at all times.The law should be effective and every one who does not respect the law as far as child molestation is concerned ,they should be punish severely according to the level of the crime..to make them an example in order to deter crimes.
“It is only the government that can make these things happen. When the government refuses to respond things will get worse until the people bring about a radical change in the government” –Rev. Donald Hill April 16, 2016
I am disappointed in reading this from you as one who claims to be a Church Minister–and particularly in relationship to the matter in question here.
First of all the government of any given country is only a few men and women serving from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of people, they cannot solve every problem on their own or make everything happen, as you claim–that is a stupidity that society has embraced, that is the reason the world is upside down.
You should know the story of Moses in the Wilderness with about 3 million of the Israelites from Egypt –God’s chosen people at the time. Because God called him to lead those people, he tried to do that work all by himself. Below is the advice from Pedro, his wife’s father.
Jethro’s Advice to Moses: Exodus 18: 1-27
But below is the important facts–and it is Jethro, not Pedro
14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”
Moses explained at verses 15-16
17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself
24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves
What is my point?
The government of any given country is only the top authority, they are appointed to deal with the most difficult issues according to the law of that country—but leadership has to be broken down to govern small groups—regardless of the population of that country.
Every village in Dominica has a village council, they have churches, they have schools and teachers, they have health nurses, they have youth groups, therefore those leaders should be responsible for the welfare of their community (village) –that is a great ease for the ruling government, so to deal efficiently with the most difficult issues.
One again it is foolish to say that the Government can fix everything or make everything happen—that is not possible.
And relating to this particular conflict, can the government tell people what to do and what not to do in their bedroom, the place where children are conceived and produced? Come on now people!
That’s why I believe the PM is not interested in the welfare of Dominicans on a whole. Once something is not initiated by him it does not interest him. He wont answer the coalition of pastors because they are not the ones he can manipulate but rather he will summon his religious party supporters to help him give the impression of something is being done. My comfort it “even the longest rope have an end.” One day, one day we will be free from this sham of a government.
As it is said, “More things (godly actions) are wrought through prayers.” I will add sincere ones.
I have noted a problem with Dominica and the rest of the world. In recent years Dominica has a severe spiritual problem and it has been the influx of all these various people who opened their churches and who claim they are saving souls. These have caused lack of love, division and disunity. They even hate the Catholic Church and what It represents. Is God not displeased with you?
I cannot comprehend that people who claim to be religious do not as much as think that no one enters Heaven with this on their soul. It means you should not die with hatred for the religion of others on your souls. Where will those souls end up in eternity?
St. Paul said: “Nothing defiled will enter Heaven.”
They are the ones trying to be supreme and take over Dominica as if they are the decision makers and know what is best for Dominica. Step aside!
United we stand. Divided we fall. Your lack of love, disunity and divisions are killing Dominica, morally and spiritually.
You approached some Catholics, falsely indoctrinated them, influenced them to renounce their Catholic Faith to join your churches and to hate It in general..
How many souls have been saved since? The attitude of these people in words and action will reflect how godly or ungodly they are.
I wish I could get this into your heads.
Crimes/murder rates have escalated in a worst manner. If you people sincerely love God, worship him and pray, Dominica would not be in this mess it is.
Therefore, do not blame the government. Blame yourselves who wrought this on Dominica and nationals of all.
If you keep blaming the government for these matters which the PM has nothing to do with, one day you will pay for it. So get off his back! He has other national problems to be concerned with and to rectify.
God is taking note.
The saying: “As many heads there are, it is as many opinions you will get.” Isn’t that so? There are many difference of opinion.
Why are you implicating the PM in this? He cannot prevent children from being abused. He does not live with them.
Nothing is stated in the manner in which some of these children are brought up, how they are nurtured and the responsibility of parents. This is where discipline commences.
The PM can only approve and legislate a Bill; pass a Law. Will it prevent children from being abused? Was it not stated that a new law or a revised one is being tabled? This does not happen overnight. It has to be read, re-read, discussed, approved and probably modified prior to being legislated. Wait for it.
In the meantime the Social Service Dept. should be approached to help deal with this matter.
This should also be discussed with parents of underage children. They should be counseled accordingly.
Tell pastor rod to stop trying to play politics……….
Pastor Rodney, don’t expect an answer from Skeritt. For you to get a positive response, you would have to go on Simeon Heng , Labor Party Next Level Shows or Tony, Cleville, Christian and McIntime Douglas would have to give your proposals their blessings. Aaron would also have to throw in a few good words for you on this weekly commentary. It unfortunate, but that is what Dominica has come to.
The problem is not with Skerrit it is with the Citizen of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The man is treating us bad, very bad, why every 5 years we are voting for him to come back and rule our DONKEY HOLE
When ever some one make a good point on the talk show concerning him couple DONKEY HOLES always come to defend him for them to get some scrap so the problem is with the DONKEY HOLES of Dominica, can’t u all see that?
very true indeed
He will never respond. Let an international … send and get a passport, they getting it same day via Fedex and fellas cashing in. Let dominicans sit down there still.
Rodney one of the reasons Skerrit treat the nation as his children is because you people give Skerrit too much power over you! What can Skerrit do to reduce child abuse if parent in their homes abuse their children? We critique him when he dips his hands into everything, but the man has his own children to raise, abuse children is not Skerrit or any politician business to deal with.
If a child is rape the law should punish the rapidest as severely as possible: Home training goes a long way if my parent did not train me in a proper manner, there is no way I would know how to train and treat my children.
The church should introduce their members to the Biblical principals of training a child, as it is written in the Book of Proverbs. Leave Skerrit out of that, if I was him I would not respond to such crap. His responsibility is to look after the people affair governmentally, and not involving himself into the business of baby-sitting!
If he ask me this time I will tell him…
@!Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque April 15, 2016
Well, well, well. Francisco, you are right on point in every word you spoke here. Today, you are not a cockroach in my book
I am not saying that you are defending PM Skerrit, but you have spoken the truth–I embrace that attitude
I truly believe that this conflict of child/adult sex relationship stems out from the home, the lack of monitoring of parents towards their children first and foremost. The worse part is that, today we have children conceiving children, because they, themselves were poorly raised–the Prime Minister of a country is not a Maggie to simply wind his magic wand for solutions.
Why does this man need the Prime Minister’s permission to go ahead with what the Church’s approach is to this conflict; what is it they want him to say or add to their decision?
What nonsense with these people who calls themselves leaders of the church, in the name of priest, bishop, pope, or pastor.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque!
am wondering if you really know what the work of the government is about.
it is not only taking care of the peoples affair governmentally but is also babysitting. it is protekting not only the bordes of Dominica but also the people including the CHILDREN.
you call standing up for the childrens right for crap, and then you talk about that parents should train the child in the right way. I think standing up AND asking the head of Dominica to change the law so that the children can have a better chance in life is a part of traning your child in the right way.
I pray that you will never have to look into a childs face after he or she have been violated, I pray that you will never experiense the pain, anger and frustration that a parent feel when its child ask why did this person do this to me?
If that ever happen to you i hope there is someone there helping you and yours to fight the very same battle that you today call crap and…
Francisco they, government need to put the resources in place. The resources are few in numbers and do not cover the country. So early detection and prevention is not possible. The families do not get the regular early visits and monitoring to do as you request. Most times they live their children home alone and down to the red clinic. So Skerrit has to accept some responsibility. They are blind to the real povrty issues because they have created it.
i dont usually like your comments but i agree with you 100%. we acting like it is the state’s duty to raise children into proper humans. we have this “purple” drive going on getting a lot of attention, but a man will beat his wife when he wants to in his home and that is that. children should be taught to not do that, and in turn when grown it wont be their tendency.
Francisco
It is not often that I agree with you, but I read your comments and some others on this site and I detected some kind of balance on this occasion. You raised an appropriate question, why are the pastors making this about Mr. Skerrit? What happened to preaching to our congregations against what is happening? What about counselling programmes for young parents/couples before the fact? What about helping young girls to respect their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit? Why does this move by the pastors reek of political manoeuvering?
Where were the pastors when that old lady from Wesley was brutalised in the worst way and a number of other senior citizens were viciously raped? Silence!
Why ask for the Sexual Offences Act to be examined when about a month or so ago there was a big press conference when a legal expert from Government was explaining to the public the amendments being brought to Parliament to include suggestions made by several NGO’s?
To continue, it is just unfortunate that not even pastors can be taken at face value now because of their behaviour and pronouncements on other issues. It is also interesting to see who the letter was copied to. Delia Cuffy Weekes was basically a one man army against child abuse for several years. Perhaps the national Council of women gave her moral support but I don’t think they did so publicly, at least I didn’t hear them doing so. I suppose they could argue that their target group is “women” not “children”. If so, why are they being copied now? extending the political coalition?
I think we need to address the root as the Pastors are saying and as many people are commenting here, parents need to be parents, first of all. They have primary responsibility but many people seem to be trying to absolve them of it and blame other people. Train your children properly. Lead them by example and we just might see a change in Dominica. Rev. Hill ask them to petition God…
The feeling of the Christians in Dominica goes beyond frustration and borders on absolute despair. For years they have been petitioning the government for help with the sexual child abuse problem which only gets worse. The thing that vexes them the most is the fact that it is almost impossible to even get a response one way or the other. It is like there is simply nobody home.
Their reaction is not gaged even by the seriousness of the crime. It can be the rape and impregnation of a child. It can be a murder. Even when it simply couldn’t be any worse all they get in the most extreme circumstances is a promise to look into it, or “steps are being taken …” with nothing ever happening.
It is not like there is no danger involved. Month after month men are commenting on DNO about what they would do if anybody touched one of their children. It is only a matter of time.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
The citizens and tax payers of Dominica have asked for:
1) A sex offenders registry.
2) A law making it mandatory to report every case of child sexual abuse to the police with a hefty penalty for not dong so.
More speedy trials. Less time between when the abuse is alleged to have taken place and when the alleged offender goers to court.
Mandatory professional counseling for both the victim and the accused if he or she is found guilty.
Maximum sentencing for convicted offenders that will send a strong message.
Which of theses things has your government not refused to take action on?
It is only the government that can make these things happen. When the government refuses to respond
things will get worse until the people bring about a radical change in the government.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Reverend Hill, what do you mean that it is like “nobody is home?” Who is the “Body” that should be home; who are the “Christians” that are frustrated.
If Dominicans who claim to be Christians were living according to the Principles of Christianity, I am sure that those problems and social conflicts, which we are facing would not have been as intensive as they are today.
For the Church to be waiting on a go ahead from the Prime Minister of Dominica, to initiate the ideas which they think would solve or lessen those problems, is already a weakness on their part.
According to Francisco Telemaque, it the Church had any kind of strength, they would leave PM Skerrit alone– Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is a Christian, he would not object to the good works of the Church; they know that.
So to say that Christians in Dominica are frustrated is an “overstatement”–I believe that they are the reason for the problem. I am from Dominica, so I should know.
This was very painful to read. for a minute I thought I was attending Sunday service. Despite the fact it was penned by pastors, I found this missive to be too preachy for my liking.
They are pastors, what do you expect? You expect them to write it in the improper english and disrespect we that we speak and write in Dominica everyday? Then next time don’t read it..smh
Since March 17 u send skerrit a letter to help our children and it is April 15 OMG but when it was madueke she got her passport the same day.