A local priest has frowned upon the level of violence taking place during our carnival celebrations as Dominica observes World Respect Life Day today.
The Director of the Social Justice and Peace Committee, Father Reverend Franklyn Cuffy, said a Day of Peace in Dominica was conceptualized because of the upsurge in violent incidents at Grand Bay. He said it is also to celebrate the dignity of the human person.
“Tomorrow we’ll be launching carnival here in Dominica and it saddens me that on an occasion like this, the greatest cultural celebration for us as a people, yet we have death, young people being stabbed and killed during our celebrations,” he told Dominica News Online in an interview.
Fr. Cuffy recalled the stabbing incident at the St. Andrews High School in 2002 which left Wadico Bunch dead.
Many activities were put on and are underway to commemorate the event today. This morning a peace torch was carried by police officers via the carnival route to the Convent High School (CHS) on the eve of the national carnival
parade and official opening of carnival city.
“The whole significance of today is really to help our students reflect and say ‘how can we be instruments’. So I’m very, very pleased with the response. I’m very encouraged. Most of the people who accompanied the peace torch were police officers… we talk about community policing and for me that is reinforcing their efforts,” he recognized.
At this morning’s ceremony at the CHS, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Justine Charles handed over the peace torch to a senior cadet, who handed it to Principal of CHS Josephine Dublin.
The Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) has planned a special assembly as part of the day’s events as well, where the Peace Torch will be transported to the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church where a Peace Concert will be held from 5:30 this afternoon.
An organized march is expected to take place from the ITSS headed by the Cadet Unit of the school through the village to the church.
The Peace Torch will then be carried to St Joseph to be installed at the 2010 Peace Concert. Addresses will come from Hon Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt, the Minister Counselor Mr. Francisco Anzola of Venezuela among
others.
Dominicans who died unfortunate deaths, including Andy Kentish, Wayne Dalrymple, Darnelle Bedminister, Baby Mia, Nurse Carol Hypolite Norris, and Wadico Bunch will be remembered by the National Youth Council.
There will be entertainment in the form of music, poetry, dance and calypso performances.
Edona Jno Baptiste – News Coordinator/Reporter
On “World Respect life Day”, January 22, 2010 the PEACE TORCH was carried through the streets of Roseau, led by a group of Police Officers from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force. The Torch was then handed to a Senior Cadet at the CHS, by Hon Justina Charles, who was representing the Grandbay Peace Committee, who in turn handed it to the Principal.
A special Assembly to mark the occassion was carried live by all the local Radio Stations. All who saw and listened to this event were very impressed by the quality of the presentations of the Students and Staff.
The 2010 PEACE TORCH was then installed at a grand PEACE CONCERT, held in St Joseph from 5:30 pm. Again, Hon Justina Charles handed the Torch to the Chairman of the Village Council, who installed. it was then lit by a youth of the St Joseph’s Parish.
In the wake of the first homocide in Dominica for the year, the Peace Torch will be taken to Calibishie on Wednesday 10 February. The significance of the 2010 PEACE TORCH is to help all concerned that Peace should be given another Chance.
“Let there be peace and let ot begin with me!”
mr cuffy i think it’s something good that your planning. but i dont think you should have a day like that only when during carnival time. just like your religion it should be atleast once a week , and in as much comunities as possible,and to the anonymous people or person you should not take this as a grandbay thing. you should be happy that someone is trying to make a change in your area.
why do we always have to pinpoint my beloved grand bay as the reason for everything bad in da. a peace concert or what ever should be for the entire country because i have read of many community in da where some seek crimes have taken place. and finally you guys are so out of touch with the young fiolks thats why we have all these crimes. we only see father whoever when its tiime to burry someone who have become a victim of father and his organization being out of touch with these young generation. father you should not wait for them to show up in church on sunday you should be out talking to them while they are being groomed by the older ones, take your church to the streets everyday instead of waiting for them to show up on sundays because your way doesnt work. the only people you see in your church on sundays are old folks and women. lets save the young me if you need some help post a response and i will tell you how its done because i have done it in my community in fort green project in brooklyn.
I applaud the Father Cuffy and the CHS for a very well planned and executed celebration.
HELLOOO OLD SKOOL :D..(SEE DAT THEY MORE ORGANIZED THAN STATE COLLEGE) LOL
Well Marry, they won’t think of banning Carnival,
But Mr. Cuffy is concerned and being saddened
that somebody is going to get killed, someone is going to get
chopped, some School girls will not be continuing their education as usual,
due to pregnancies.. during tthe carnival season.
I don’t have to be a Roman Catholic or Catholic to be concern too.
And don’t forget the spread of de virus from de Antiguan guy.
let me say that the day of peace should be observed for the upsurge of violence and crime in DOMINICA….and not only grandbay…stupes
let me jus say….the peace day should be on the upsurge of crime and violence in DOMINICA….grandbay not the only community…stupes
Haterz@Anonymous. If you want something done well go to the CHS! Sorry my dear.
Just because you are not catholic, but all watching it on the tv, and you all go to camp do not let me tell you want happens there STAFFY
Are there not any other schools in Roseau that can host these things besides CHS…..there is SMA and ST.MS???? Why is it always convent the other 2 are also catholic schoold…… Just a qusetion and an opinion of noticing that one school gets too much credit
Cuz convent much more well behaved organized and better dan dem other skools!! Duh!!
All the best Fr cuffy keep up the good works atleast if one young person is saved you have achieved a milestone.
As a professed man of God, mr. Cuffy should be talking about banning Carnival..
He’s seeing the negativity it has on society.