In response to a wave of gun violence that claimed at least 10 lives in Saint Lucia within eight days, Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire has called for a national day of fasting and prayer.
The head of the local Catholic Church urged Christians and all people of goodwill to unite in spiritual reflection this Friday, July 11, seeking divine intervention and moral renewal for the nation.
In an official statement, Malzaire expressed deep sorrow over the recent homicides, stating: “It is with deep sadness and concern that we reflect on the recent multiple homicides in our beloved country, Saint Lucia. These acts of violence prompt us to examine the state of our society and our values as a Christian community.”
He condemned the brutality in the strongest terms, emphasising the need for collective responsibility: “We must vehemently condemn these brutal acts on human life with every fibre of our being. At the same time, we recognise the need for collective responsibility in addressing the decadence of civility in our society, which seems to be losing its moral compass.”
The archbishop also called for prayers for the victims and their grieving families, as well as for the restoration of core values, including proper parental guidance, strong family life, mutual respect, love for the common good, reverence for God and the rejection of all forms of evil.
Concluding with a message of hope, he invoked Saint Lucia’s name, “Lucis”, meaning “island of light”, urging citizens to work toward a society of true peace. “We owe it to our children to provide a place of tranquility. May God lend a helping hand in this time of need. Amen!”
Sorry to bust your bubble of hope, but that is not going to change anything.
And what exactly will that achieve other than everyone being hungry? Save your prayers, no one is listening
It is a shame when no one wants to realize that the issue in St. Lucia is a lack of effective parenting or care-giver skills, lack of education, lack of respect and lack of integrity for self and others. There will always be poor folk amongst us no matter where you live in this world – however – poverty is no excuse for crime. Why – because there is always something a person can do if they desire – whether it be sweeping the streets, bagging groceries, hair braiding, learning a trade or a skill. I knew folk who got up at 4am to milk cows, sold bread and went fishing to make a living – you all want to live the Gucci and gangster life and then blame society for your own choices – we all reap what we sow. You guys are too much in your 238 square miles.
The issue in St. Lucia is everyone wants to get rich overnight and they want what they did not work for. Envy, jealousy, confusion, evil, obeah and strife and some parents encourage their children to do wrong and then play the “he was a good boy/girl card”. Why should you envy someone who persevered while you sat by the wayside on the step going nowhere fast??? – blame your parents, caregivers and yourself for the choices that you decide to make and leave those who want to make something of themselves alone.
St. Lucians believe that the government should house them, feed them, buy books for their children while they jump carnival, go to every jazz concert, and pay for expensive costumes. The government did not tell you to have numerous kids — sleep around with Tom, Dick and Harry, Peter, Paul and Mary who by the way are also going nowhere very fast. God help you all because it is a crying shame – you can bring a horse to the water you cannot make it drink. Some of you are so self – destructive even when you get an opportunity to migrate you still continue with evil behavior oversees – guess what outside of St. Lucia you will be prosecuted, incarcerated and then deported steadfastly – again the choice is yours. Fire burns whether you believe it or not – that the reality. “Rome was not built in a day.”
I come from a very large family (10) – thank God we all migrated. We lived in a one bedroom in St. Lucia with bunk beds- HOWEVER we all went to school and studied. I remember there were negative influences all around us even at that time – BUT we were taught from an early age to stay away from bad companion and to live within our means, do not envy anyone-we could not bring anything to the house that was not purchased by our own parents.
In St. Lucia when you stay clear of negative influences they call you fresh – thank God we listened to our parents and grandparents.
Today, some of us are engineers, nurses, hospital administrators, computer analyst, welders, real estate brokers, school administrators, business owners – I am a witness who knows that regardless of poverty it can be done if you put work and effort into it. Do your own research and you will see that there are several places in the world where very very poor people live and GUESS WHAT they are not criminals – so if you desire to do right and live right it can be done.
They never have anything positive to say when good men and women make an effort to reach out and confront societal issues head-on. I bet that ” Anonymous” and ” outside looking in” have never tried to mentor a youth, never gave to the poor, never visited the sick and dying at the hospitals and elderly homes, never forgave anyone, never sacrificed their gains so that someone else may benefit! These two commentors are part of the problem- -they are selfish, they check for themselves only, they are quick criticize any attempt at solutions to our social problems. They know not of God, therefore they are clueless as to what love is! Let the prayers pour forth !!!!!! HE listening.
Prayer, with other initiatives can help. Anything positive