Dear Editor,
It is with sadness I read of the passing of Anglican Bishop Randolph George. He was not only a towering spiritual leader but a champion of democracy and free and fair elections. He, along with Bishop Benedict Singh were important elements in the resistance against Burnhamism. He will be long remembered for his role in helping to restore democracy in Guyana.
Bishop George led the Anglican Church at a most difficult time in the history of Guyana, when the Burnham PNC dictatorship was at its most oppressive stage, with priests and human rights workers being targeted. Father Bernard Darke and Dr Walter Rodney were murdered and Bishop Benedict Singh was threatened. There was also a crackdown against other church figures like Father Malcolm Rodrigues.
It was an honour to meet the Bishop several times during my visits to Guyana from my teaching breaks exchanging thoughts with him on the struggle for free and fair elections in Guyana. He was open to conversations and not shy about discussing political issues and race relations. He believed in and advocated racial equality. He left an indelible impression on those whom he met. He spoke frankly and was in interested in healing from the decades of racial animosity. I extolled his remarkable contributions to the freedom struggle and for advocating racial equality. The Bishop was a man of integrity who could be trusted.
Without the Bishop’s role, free and fair elections and political change would have been very difficult in Guyana. Through the Anglican Church, he helped to internationalize the struggle.
Not surprisingly, he became deeply admired by the Indian population. Indians trusted the Bishop as being among a few preachers who spoke out against oppressive rule. They held him in high esteem.
Although not a man of faith or religion, Dr Jagan had regular conversations with Bishop George. Dr Jagan admired him very much and spoke glowingly of him in conversations I had with Dr Jagan in New York and Guyana. Dr Jagan was very impressed with Bishop George’s support for social justice and the cause of the working class for a livable wage. Not surprisingly, Dr Jagan told me he proposed Bishop George’s name as consensus presidential candidate during PCD negotiations to contest the 1992 elections when the WPA opposed Jagan’s nomination. Unfortunately, the Bishop was opposed for the presidency. After Jagan became President, he appointed Bishop George to several commissions and deservedly honoured him with the Cacique Crown in 1994.
Bishop George was a patriot and will be long remembered after his final rites for his significant contribution to the nation.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
