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‘Man fi dead’ Pastor advocates vengeance for dentist’s killers

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large ?helpsh@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, February 22, 2010

CENTRAL Jamaica pastor Mark Stewart is calling for tougher punishment for those who kill, and in the process rob the society of some of its great minds.

Delivering the sermon at the funeral service for murdered Clarendon dentist, Dr Ricardo Patrick Fraser at the Blue Mountain United Church in Manchester last week, Rev Stewart said that those who killed the dentist should not be allowed to live.

“It is easy to seek revenge for his murder, and my Bible tells me about the wages of sin is death and an eye for an eye,” Rev Stewart told hundreds of mourners crammed into the small church and spilling over into two tents on the outside.

“When you look on a man and stab him up like this, that man fi dead, man. A parson a say that, so oonu can say so... man fi hang, man,” Rev Stewart said to thunderous applause.

Dr Fraser’s body was found with multiple stab wounds close to the community of Toll Gate in Clarendon on the morning of February 2. His Honda Civic motor car was stolen and has still not been recovered. Police have also not arrested anyone in connection with his murder.

The 46-year-old had served Clarendon as a dental surgeon for eight years, having returned from the United States where he taught for more than six years.

Rev Stewart, whose comments are likely to reignite the contentious capital punishment debate, said that the crime situation had put Jamaica into turmoil, as ordinary citizens were terrified.

“There is a lack of security, and it has come to Jamaica in a very dangerous way. Bloodshed is a judgement on this nation,” he said.

“Crime has got so bad that even when they put men as ministers of national security, them get sick, whether is toe, or hand, or something else, all a dem get sick. And when good people get up to fight crime, them retire them or put them in an office. People are being killed wickedly in this country,” Rev Stewart said.

Dr Wayne Fraser and Dr Ray Fraser — both medical practitioners — while describing their slain sibling as the consummate gentleman, quiet achiever, humble and dedicated individual, dug deep to disguise the emotion running through a family still distressed by the killing.

“He wanted to give back and serve the poor. He was a quiet achiever and did things without fanfare,” said eldest of the three brothers and Floridabased Wayne, in his eulogy.

“It breaks our heart to be giving a remembrance for a last child,” said Ray, senior medical officer of the Annotto Bay Hospital.

“He was very quiet, respectful of others and multitalented. He lived a simple life, was not excited about the extravagances of life and was not concerned about money. He was not a talker, but a doer... a real workaholic who loved his profession and loved his job,” Ray said.

“One of the reasons why he did not go into private practice is that he was concerned that he would not be able to service as many poor people as he would like. He was a very private person who was keen on education and sent a number of children to school.

“Whatever he did for people, rarely would he mention it to anyone. He spoke French and Spanish fluently and up to his death was concerned about the degradation of the district by the bauxite mining companies.

“Despite the vicious end to his life, which brings bitterness and anger, we will overcome,” Ray continued in his remembrance.

Affectionately called Paul, Dr Ricardo Fraser attended Bellefield Primary in Manchester and Jones Town Primary School, St Andrew, before joining his two brothers at Kingston College. He studied dentistry in Cuba and was honoured last year by the Ministry of Health for outstanding work in Clarendon.

Speaker after speaker lauded Dr Fraser’s life and work, many calling it exemplary.

“He was a tireless community worker who had a positive influence on the Blue Mountain community. He assisted children with lunch money, school uniform and books and approached life with humility and simplicity,” friend Egbert Small said.

Close relative John Small described the deceased, among other things, as irreplaceable.

“He had an uncompromising commitment to his family that was extended to all individuals. He was humble, warm and caring, always wanting to give and not to get back. He was never a violent person and his murder is a sad indictment on this country,” Small said.

There were also musical tributes from The Jamaica Symphony Orchestra, of which he was a member; Kingston College Chapel Choir, of which he was a part while he attended school, as well as spoken tributes from Clarendon health officials, the Ministry of Health and local groups.

Dr Fraser, who leaves behind 83-year-old mother Ivy Ducille, was buried in the family plot.

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COMMENTS (22)

anthony james
2/23/2010

its a sad day in the life of my beloveth country. with all the help that we have been getting from the British Scotland Yard, the murder rate continues to climb and the killers continue to go unpunished. I believe its about time we look elsewhere for help. let give the US FBI a stint and see if there is any change.

Duane Parkin
2/23/2010

For a pastor that statement is contradictory to the teaching (in my opinion) .
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
It should be up to the Lord, not man, to decide his fate from this earth - two wrongs do no make it right.

Dumile Anderson
2/23/2010

While I see nothing wrong with the utterance itself, I feel it is not something that should have been said from a pulpit by a man of that nature. If your are a regular listener of this minister on radio on a Sunday, you will hear the most vulgar and distasteful speech you will ever be exposed to. He needs a lesson in English with special emphasis on subject-verb agreements.
I still feel however, that the connotations given by Mr. Stewart's utterance is not one that should have been issued from the pulpit

BHUDEY BHUDEY
2/22/2010

Rose Satchwell , Mr Adams as far as i know reached retirement age and retired not forced out.Are you also saying that Mr Adams is the solution to crime in Jamaica?That is where the problem begins.I understand the emotions of the Pastor ,but it make no sense .We have been killing left right and center for the past 34 years and things only get worse,we kill 12 and 24 rise,we kill 24 and 72 rise ,we kill 72 and 2024 rise.We need a new approach to fighting crime,we must identify these people before they hurt people like this good gentleman and put them away in the public's interest .

Roy Sweetland
2/22/2010

A Pastor advocating "MAN FI DEAD" ?
Lawd Have Mercy- Is wah dis Fada ?
Puppa JESUS yuh nuh si seh yuh Followers dem not following you at all !
Him never hear about forgiveness and the gospel of LOVE
Is he really representing God when he is recommending criminal action and criminal attitude as a solution to the chronic crime situation in Jamaica ?
What would JESUS have said .. what did JESUS do even as he was being murdered by man?
"Father forgive them for they know what they do/have done "
Can we kill someone to teach them that killing is wrong?
The dead cannot learn and the living is not deterred
We've poisoned his mind, now we're asking for his head
They make their world so hard everyday the people are dying
GOD BLESS JAMAICA
May God help us all

Wesley James
2/22/2010

Start the hanging now!

Cee Dubya
2/22/2010

@Verna --- Re "They act based on how well diverse groups of citizens are prepared to speak out, rally for and demand actions that are in the citizens' interest."
It's not "what are [we] going to do" about it. It's what we are doing right now, as you go on to articulate. We are not just "prepared to speak out". We ARE speaking out and have been speaking out (this forum is a case in point) for a very long time. We HAVE BEEN demanding actions (again, case in point). The fact that the ears cork and the eyes close when convenient don't mean that we haven't been speaking and demanding action!
So, yes, we (you, me, he, she and the old lady) are doing something about it. I, along with many others, exercised the right to vote. Whether we voted for the ruling admin or the Opposition, we are governed by the collective actions of both for the good (we'd like to think) of the one Jamaica. Now we are having our say as to how the country should be run. We might not get our 15 mins on radio or TV, but certainly our words, our arguments, our points here must account for something!
I'm sure the ruling administration's communications, media, and public relations advisors feverishly monitor these comment boards. Believe me, they are hearing our points and our demands.

Verna Kitson
2/22/2010

This article is nothing more than sensationalist drivel! No, your putting the comment in your newspaper will not "ignite" any discussion about the death penalty, because it has all been said before, and by two-bit pastors just like this one.
@ Cee Dubya: You ask that "those in the relevant positions of authority" "do something" about crime. Well, they are. They are doing what they need to in order to preserve the status quo while only being motivated to act, as you noted, when people with initials behind their name are hurt. I take it they are not doing what you and many others think is effective?
Well then, I think the better question is: what are YOU going to do about that? This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. Those in authority don't just act based on what god or some other source tells them. They act based on how well diverse groups of citizens are prepared to speak out, rally for and demand actions that are in the citizens' interest. So, the ball is really in our/your court.

Cee Dubya
2/22/2010

@Jay --- I've tried using double, then triple spacing between paragraphs. (Separates the ideas and it does make for easier reading.) Not sure of the 'glitch' that removes the spaces...

mickey samuels
2/22/2010

A lot of people in this small island of Jamaica is uninformed and do not know the truth on alot of things but before we make comments we should search for the truth and speak more facts and less opinion or feelings. I implore all of you that are calling for other peoples head to check the facts
Check all the countries of the world that have capital punishment implemented and check how much of a difference it has made in that country i am sure what u will find will surprise u or i guess educate you.
cause in my brief research i found that it really didnt make a difference some countires crime rate went up some bearly went down a research done in america shows that 38 states that has capital punishment versus the others that didnt the difference is 5.22 percent to 5.76 percent per 100000 people in some countries in africa the murder rate went up.
As i said before killing is against the commandment of God and that will always be no matter how we try to justify doing it it is wrong. Love is the answer I am sure of that be your brothers keeper e need to get back to basics help your neighbours if you have food and he/she doesnt invite thenm over for dinner or buy them dinner small thing like that get back to basics build positive relationships in communities heed to the teaching of the bible
Try to use Jesus as an example no one will be as perfect as he was but we can try .
Bob Marley said One Love
Jah Cure says love is the Answer, Junior Reid said One Blood.
Now These guys arent christians but if they meant what they said which I think They did then atleast they got it right Love . Live and Love Untill then there will be no peace.
Do what is right in the eyes of God and not man and as i said before seek knowledge too much speaking from opinions seek the truth.
Love you all.

Rose Satchwell
2/22/2010

Pastor? I agree with you. Kill dem. One less criminal off the earth. If you do not want to be killed, do not go around killing people.

Rose Satchwell
2/22/2010

Jamaicans are their worst enemies. When Renato Adams was in charge he was helping to fight crime. But some of the Jamaicans politicans and leaders are so corrupted that they cause him to resign, because they are so corrupted and involved with these criminals that it was not in their best interest to have him incharge.
Jamaica needs a complete overhaul of the Security Ministry. I agree with the Pastor, hang dem r... You have to be tougher than these heartless bastards. And to all you girlfriends, mothers, wives, grandmothers who know your love ones are doing these things and keep quiet? Karma is a helleva thing. I am praying it catches up with your asses. I want back my country!!! Security Minister? Get up off your disfunctional, non creative ass and do something or else RESIGN. Successive PM have come and gone since Michael Minley and have done NOTHING to stem the crime and voilence in Jamaica. We want HANGING back, NOW!!!. You emulate American negitative culture so much, try and be creative as they are with catching these damn criminals. My grandpa use to say an eye for an eye would leave the whole world blind, grandma respond ' If you do not want to go blind, nuh juck out people eye".

williams simone
2/22/2010

Sometime I feel frustrated and depress, especially during the winter months in Canada.
It would be my husband and I dream to move back to Jamaica. The truth is we know we would be target because the gunmen’s in Jamaica think
returning residents have money. It’s really sad; we know that if we decided to moved back home our children would be orphans.
I wonder how long we would survive in Jamaica, before the gunmen kill us too. The day when they start killing the politicians and other dignitary in Jamaica thats when they will implement the death penalty.
NSP

blandel witter
2/22/2010

Let me be short and blunt If a policeman,a politician or a rich person gets murdered there is a ninety percent chance the killer will be caught if it one of us the regular citizen there is a thirty percent chance the killer will be caught that is the problem one death is more important than one. Think about that.

mickey samuels
2/22/2010

Yes while I will agree that Killing is wrong and it is totally against the commandnments of God.
I dont think it is right pastor for you to be advocating killing as this is wrong . When Jesus walked the earth didhe ever promoted killing?
A king or man will seek out a subject to persecute them whilst the ways of the lord our God who is in heaven ays is to seek out A subject to forgive them yes the Bible does speak of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but didnt it also say judge not or he be judge first, or forgive and he shall be forgiven. Same in the days when Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour walked the earth when the people at the time wanted to stone Mary Magdalene saying she was a prostitue what did he say let the man who have not sin and fallen short of the glory cast the first stone didnt he say that. Any way alot of you might take what I am saying the wrong way but know this Love is the answer and will always be the answer I am talking about the Love that will allow us to care for a brother or sister in need even if we dont know that person the bible teaches not to store wealth like the birds and animals of this eqarth the lord provides for them daily. Jamaica what we need is love the lord works in mysterious ways sometimes the lord bring hardship for us to realise what is important the biggest crimes in the world are greed, power hunger and materialism untill we eliminate that and really love and care for our brothers like ourself then we will alway have criminality hardship and pain. Pastor keep up the good work but lead by example and dont make statements in the lords name when theopinion is yours. Use Jesus when he walk the earth as an example and not lean on thy own understanding . People of the nation seek knowledge and then you will get understanding and wisdom and they will guide your path.
Love you all and remeber Love is the answer as JESUS TEACHES lOVE YOUR BROTHER AS YOURSELF
and yes it is wrong to kill it is breaking the lords commandment but Love will fix any problem not the police force not the government not money but Love an i mean Godly love. So just remeber that Love each other as yourself I didnt say it Jesus did.
Pastor Keep up the good work and bring more people to Christ.
Love you all
Mick Samuels

Barry Marson
2/22/2010

Here we go AGAIN!! Another person dies at the hands of criminl and I can assure you that nothing will come of it. WHY? WHY? WHY?
When will this great country (as we thing), the people, and government make a change for the better, When will we learn that we are hurting ourselves by allowing these senseless acts to continue? Death Penality will not solve our murder rate, but will will curb the problem. Its time to show the World that Little Jamaica is tough on crime. Hey! If a person goes out and kills someone for his or her personal property, then the assailant/accused simply does not care about his or her own life, or better yet, life in general. The question is why should this person be previledge of having life (using tax payers money to keep him/her alive)? LETS implement death penalty as it was in the olden days. EVERY THURSDAY Morning, you hang, lethal injection or electricute the convicted and have those on the death block watch what will come upon them.

Jay Brown
2/22/2010

The pastor's comment were not as suggested by the headline of the article.
The man was saying, we need to use what's on the books to deal with these vicious killers.
@Cee, when you write these long post please break them into paragraphs and put spacing between paragraphs as it allows for easier reading.

Trevor Lawrence
2/22/2010

As I stated in a previous comment and will continue to echo: REINSTATE RENETO ADAMS. If the Government can successfully limit crime in the tourist areas, if they can successfully use the police to clamp down on illegal taxi and minibus operators; if they can successfully use the police to chase higglers from areas like downtown and Spanish Town, Why is there a problem to curtail crime? Some strategies like have repeated and regular patrols in troubled areas are working. I personally believe if the Government truly wishes to reduce the crime rate, it can. It can.

Nancy G
2/22/2010

Cee Dubya you are totally right. When when when will something, anything be done? I say, start now with with small things: like littering (I SAID small) and disrespecting behavior and work up to the big ones. New York didn't begin its turn-around until the mayor started battling drunkeness in the streets, litter, graffiti, public urination, etc. Once they got a handle on those things, and things like them, the perception of what living in NY meant changed and the domino effect began. Now NY is a safer place. (I'm not saying it's the garden of Eden, just safer) Since we can't just begin fighting crime, evidently, maybe we can start with some common decency and see where that takes us.

Cee Dubya
2/22/2010

There is hardly anything to be said that has not yet been said about the horrific abyss of criminality in which we have sunk. And every, single, solitary time when such a dastardly and heinous act is committed - no matter where, no matter against whom - it pushes us farther and farther into this hole. Are we just going to sit around, waiting to implode?
We get up every morning and read these reports or hear them on the radio or TV. After another, “Oh my God!” and “Jeezam!” we kinda go back to our breakfast and our jobs and our gyms. Not until it gets to your door, do you even begin to understand how much the pain dig out yuh belly bottom; an endless mental and psychological turmoil that is only compounded by the knowledge that it was totally unwarranted. And your loved one just becomes a statistic. “The 46th murder of the year” and then… nothing comes of it?
How …why … I don’t even know which question to ask first. When are those in the relevant positions of authority, collecting a salary to carry out certain tasks, actually going to begin doing what we are paying them to do? There are tough decisions to make; to put in place real, practical and effective measures to help reduce crime. They might not be popular decisions and they may even cost some votes. Is that the fear? A fear of not being re-elected because it may be an unpopular decision? A fear that you may lose your position of adulation and power if, in the face of opposition (small ‘o’), you actually do what it takes? What is your fear? Why are you sky-larking? Why haven’t you done it already? My God, what are you waiting on?
To those in the relevant positions of authority, are you going to wait until the number of (reported) murders per year gets to 2000, 3000? I read in one of the papers the other day that the Minister of Nat Sec said some harsher measures were coming. Then, later on in the same article, it made reference to “longer jail time”. What??? Are you kidding me?
I mean, I can’t even get into the whole “why-some-criminals-get-caught-and-sentenced-in-record-time-and-others-don’t” issue. The “average” Jamaican who suffers the loss of a loved one by these terrible crimes does not hurt less than, well, the Jamaican in the “limelight” who suffers a similar loss. Yet, sometimes it seems like it’s all “hands on deck” for the latter. True, resources are limited, but, let us see you even trying to put out the same effort.
To those in the relevant positions of authority, here is an assurance. If you take the “road less travelled”; make the tough decision, do what even a five-y-o can see as the practical and effective thing to markedly reduce criminal activity in Jamaica, you would be only too happy to realize that that your fears were unfounded. Please. What are you waiting on? Do something!!!

ricardo johnson
2/22/2010

all the pastor lose him mind

Omar Kenyata
2/22/2010

The media quite correctly insists on freedom of the press but seems hell-bent on unnecessary sensationalism. This poor pastor has said nothing new ! The death penalty is still on our books for capital murder. It is your newspaper that is calling it vengeance. Even if the pastor used the term you should be aware that it is precisely to PREVENT vengeance why states implemented systems of justice. Under our system if someone is found guilty in a court of law of capital murder the sentence is death. Please stop your sensationalism at the poor pastor's expense!

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