Governor General, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave, with Dean of the St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson; and Chief Justice, Sir Marston Gibson (partially hidden), at the end of the service to mark the opening of the Legal Year 2016-2017 yesterday morning.
DEAN of the St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson, is lamenting that the value systems which brought the country to nationhood are eroding, particularly those which relate to the dignity of human life.
Delivering the sermon during an annual service to mark the opening of the Legal Year 2016-2017 yesterday morning, Reverend Gibson said it is possible economic forces have contributed immensely to this situation.
“In a ‘consumer culture’, the quality of goods have from time to time replaced the quality of life. Consequently, personal character is not developed in respect neighbourly relationships and communal solidarity.”
The Dean said evidence of this can be seen in youth alienation, family breakdown and a culture of violence.
He also suggested that crime is essentially a sign of a broken relationship in the society.
“While one would affirm that ‘the punishment must match the crime’, one gets the impression that there are times when the society is not fully satisfied no matter the punishment... Perhaps there is a need for a process whereby the society can participate in the healing process – whereby victims can be relieved of their pain and offenders brought to the point where there is acknowledgement of guilt, an expression of sorry and a commitment to rehabilitation.”
Speaking under the theme ‘Celebrating a Golden Jubilee – A Call to Justice and Reconciliation’, Rev. Gibson said it is his hope that during the next 50 years there will be an emergence of more victim-offender reconciliation programmes, even if only for young and first offenders.
“Forgiveness is not so much the business of the courts, but it is the prophetic voice of Jesus, who embodied the Jubilee principle. Forgiveness can be an integral part of the justice system when the victim has been included. It should be the concern of the entire society, as it seeks healing and it is most definitely needed at this juncture of our history,” he said.
He noted that while persons view forgiveness primarily in personal terms, there is a social dimension to forgiveness.
“When an individual offends the society by committing a crime, there is a need for healing, and forgiveness may set the stage for such healing to take place, after appropriate sorrow for the offence has been established,” he said.
The Dean reiterated that there is a need to stem the tide of any future erosion of the community.
“This would require a collaborative effort since community building is an economic, political and spiritual process.
Law and order agencies, faith communities, educational and social institutions, and government and non-governmental organisations can all work together to promote the value of life and affirm, for instance, the golden rule,” he said.
Looking towards the year 2066, he said there must be a clearly defined vision which would help to encompass, inform and organise the type of society wanted.
“It would not happen by chance. That ‘basic script’ would help us to discover the moral obligations which persons owe one another,” he said. (JH)
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