Members of the legal fraternity in Anguilla have been given two pieces of sound Scripture-based advice. The first is: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
The second is: “You shall not pervert justice due…Keep far from a false charge and do not kill the innocent and therein the right… You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.”
The occasion was a special service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Tuesday morning, September 18, to mark the new Law Year in the nine jurisdictions of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court which includes Anguilla. The above admonitions were given by Methodist Supernumerary Minister the Rev. Dr. H. Clifton Niles quoting from the Books of Amos and Exodus.
Rev. Nilessaid the whole responsibility of the island’s social institutions was first and foremost the establishment and maintenance of justice. “It is not the protection of the interests of the privileged and powerful,” he stressed. “The real purpose is not so much the incarceration of certain members of society, but upholding the integrity of the community and enabling optimum human living.”
He observed that when seen that way it should be understood why there was a condemnation of the acceptance of bribes; the practice of corruption; favouritism in judgment and interference in the judicial system.
“Injustice in any form is heinous and undermines the integrity of society,” Rev. Niles went on. “My challenge to you is to raise the bar. Expose and denounce injustice in every form. Support and uphold justice every time and everywhere and for everyone. This will mean cultivating a commitment to the principles of justice and righteousness; and courage to be principle-centred rather than personality driven.”
He made the point that “when true justice is not given, we have a case of injustice – and injustice undermines and threatens the stability and wellbeing of the society.”
The Methodist Supernumerary Minister quoted the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr writing, from a Birmingham jail, that: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere…Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ On that premise, Rev. Niles stated: “This is why the turf warfare we are presently experiencing inAnguillais so offensive and needs to be ended as a matter of urgency. The wellbeing of the whole island is threatened by it. As long as the notion exists that one from the west cannot come to the east in peace, and without molestation, none of us in Anguilla can experience optimum living. Our system of administration of justice must help ensure the integrity of our communities.”
Rev. Niles concluded his homily as he began: “Hear the challenge of Amos: ‘Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream’. Be therefore God’s agents of justice and righteousness in Anguilla everyday, everywhere to everyone,” he added.
During the service, Scripture readings were delivered by Registrar of the High Court, Ms.Vernette Richardson, and Attorney General, the Hon James Wood.
