Roman Catholic Bishop Francis Alleyne has called on all Guyanese and their leaders to work for the earliest resumption of parliamentary democracy.
Declaring that the suspension of Parliament on Monday has put Guyana into uncharted territory, Bishop Alleyne in a statement yesterday called on all stakeholders to work towards a resumption of Parliament.
“I … call on all Guyanese and their leaders to ensure that we navigate these uncertain times peacefully, honestly and respectfully with a view to the earliest resumption of parliamentary democracy.
“Finally, this crisis, this time of opportunity, requires all Guyana to join hands and find solutions to both the immediate impasse and the longer-term causes that led to it. I commit my support for initiatives that bring people together in common cause for our beloved country”, the Bishop said.
President Donald Ramotar on Monday suspended Parliament on the day that the AFC was to move a motion of no-confidence against his government which would have triggered fresh elections.
The Bishop’s appeal yesterday came just days after the Catholic Church had been accused by a member, Leon Suseran, of remaining voiceless on important public issues.
In a letter published in the Stabroek News on November 6, Suseran said:
“The Catholic Church was always in the forefront of attacking, dissecting and commenting on national issues in Guyana in the past, especially issues that dealt with corruption, infringement of human rights, crime, injustice and the list goes on. Today, under Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB with all due respect to the office he holds, the Roman Catholic Church has remained silent on the numerous front-burner issues facing the Guyanese citizenry.
“We have issues such as the Anti-Money Launder-ing Bill; crime; suicide; allegations of corruption in government; local government elections; traffic mayhem across the country; public officers who become tainted in revealing scandals; domestic violence and sexual abuse; and the most recent issue of the quandary befalling our National Assembly and its prolonged ‘recess,’ putting the business of the nation at a standstill.
“During Bishop Alleyne’s tenure as Bishop of Georgetown (Guyana), he has not issued one single Pastoral Letter which, in the past, addressed the above-mentioned issues from a Catholic point of view, with calls for change and sobriety. Those letters in the past, issued by Bishop Benedict Singh and others, were radical and were written in the strongest of language, especially during times when Guyana was under oppression and dictatorial rule.”
In yesterday’s statement, the Bishop acknowledged that the church was not as vocal as it used to be and announced two initiatives aimed at increasing “Catholic conviction and action”.
“It is true that in former times the Catholic Church was at the forefront of efforts to promote justice and peace in Guyana, as we sought to give life and meaning to Jesus’s exhortation to have life and have it to the full. We have worked on many national issues, from elections to domestic violence to trafficking in persons.
“It is true that efforts in this area have not been consistent. In humility, I suggest that Guyana – like my Church – needs both institutional and relational strengthening. We must find new ways of relating to each other, and better structures to support and encourage those improved relations”, the Bishop said.
Stating that reconciliation and trust are critical to restoring and building the nation, the Bishop said he also believes that the Catholic Church’s limited capacities must not see it only focused inwards and he was therefore taking two initiatives.
First, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church (JPCCC) is being reconstituted. The bishop said that this body has a vital role to play in promoting social teachings of the church and providing leadership to the faithful.
Second, he said, “there will be a process of engagement with parishes to pray, reflect, discuss, and discern the urgings of the Holy Spirit as relates to justice and peace in Guyana. “ The Bishop disclosed that he had invited two members of the JPCCC, Gino Persaud and Lawrence Lachmansingh to lead this process.
“I pray that these two initiatives will lead to increased Catholic conviction and action that would bring all Guyanese to the full freedom as children of God”, the Bishop said.
