Hypocritical Jamaica Council of Churches says one of it's own(Gleaner Letter)

The Editor, Sir:

The recent call from the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) for the prime minister's resignation amid the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips controversy is outrageous, hypocritical and not of God.

I am a pastor and I want to use this medium to express my disappointment in the JCC and its attempt to align the entire church body to this call. The JCC as the lead church organisation should be preaching forgiveness and not condemnation. Condemnation is not of God but of the devil. Conviction is of God not condemnation.

Galatians 6:1-2 "... If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens."

Leaders are appointed by God Himself and no man should seek to tear down what God has established.

Romans 13:1-2: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

We are prone to sin and make mistakes. David, as king, committed murder and adultery yet God forgave him and he continued in leadership. The prime minister stood up in Parliament and admitted to the nation that he sanctioned the decision to consult with the US law firm. This is clearly a confession of sin. We should commend him for this bold and honourable act as a leader. As far as I know, this is an unprecedented act of nobility and he should be commended not condemned.

There have been some 10 scandals under the PNP administration including the zinc, Shell waiver, furniture, Operation Pride, Netserv and the Trafigura scandal. These are incidents of waste of public funds that involve illegal and immoral acts. Not once in any of these scandals did the JCC make any calls for resignation from any government official. This smacks of hypocrisy.

Recently, there was a minister of religion who was involved in sexual immorality and who was known to the JCC but there was no hue and cry for him to resign from his ministry or any revocation of his licence.

The JCC is a let-down to God, let-down to the church and a let-down to themselves and Christians throughout Jamaica. It makes one wonder what is its agenda.

I am, etc.,

ONEIL ESTEEN
Oneilesteen@gmail.com