The news in Anguilla this week was dominated by events in the Church, its role in the community and its own functioning. The 25th Anniversary of St Augustine’s Anglican Church and the Council meeting of the Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas were two important matters in our small but diverse religious community. Of particular interest, was the fact that the events impacted the rest of the religious community, and attracted supportive statements from the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Anguilla Christian Council and the Evangelical Association.
Both events provided a new focus on the work and influence of the Church in Anguilla. At each event much importance was placed on the religious lives and Christian virtues that our people should lead to promote a peaceful and law-abiding society. It is understandable therefore that at both events there were expressions of concern on such matters as youth violence and crime and other patterns of negative behaviour. There was also much emphasis on the role that reformation and proper leadership can play in the present and future lives of our young people in particular.
When one thinks about it, we are indeed living in a world overrun by negative forces battling to control the minds and wills of our youth in the various communities. Anguilla is, unfortunately, one of the emerging small states which are vulnerable to increasing crime and vice of every description, and this is putting much stress and strain on a number of our institutions and society on a whole. Fingers are being pointed to a large extent at the Church which is considered to be one of the most appropriate bodies or institutions to help to stem the tide of crime that threatens to engulf small islands like Anguilla.
While the Church has often acknowledged its role in society, it has been stressed, from time to time, that the Church cannot succeed alone in changing the lives of persons. As such, it needs the assistance and cooperation of other institutions, including the Police and a number of other appropriate departments of Government – and the political leaders both individually and collectively. Members of the public, families and the schools, are also important contributors to positive living.
Recently, following one of the criminal acts which caused much concern on the island, the Anguilla Christian Council and the Evangelical Association issued a joint press statement. Among other matters, the religious organisations emphasised that “there must be a personal and collective response [to crime] which encompasses short and long-term strategies.” The statement went on: “We call upon all citizens to support civic organisations which are engaged in devising and implementing anti-violence strategies … Let us work earnestly to restore peace, tranquillity and goodwill which were once the hallmarks of Anguillian society.”
Even by urging institutions and the citizens of Anguilla to become involved in the above terms of action, the Church is exercising its leadership and influence in Anguilla, and as a leader in our small society, its voice should be heeded. Correspondingly, where the Church is taking any other action or stand of its own on any issue, it should be fully supported.
