A large congregation of community and political leaders turned out at the May Pen funeral of slain businessman Maurice Azan yesterday to hear the Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay, Charles H Dufour, warn Jamaicans that their failure to assist the police could help criminals destroy the country.

According to Bishop Dufour, every Jamaican has a role to play in crushing the veil of fear gripping the nation.

“We must reclaim our neighbourhoods and help the police,” Dufour said in his homily.

“Let them know they are not alone in the fight against crime. Each of us must be the eyes and ears of the police. If we don’t assist the police, we are helping the criminals to mash up Jamaica.”

Azan, 70 and his stepson Lloyd Phang, 50, were shot during a robbery at Azan’s wholesale and supermarket in May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday, May 14. Azan died that day, while Phang, who was admitted to hospital, died two days later.

Their murders sparked a lockdown of businesses in May Pen and Old Harbour in St Catherine last Thursday in protest against the spiralling rate of crime in Jamaica that has so far claimed more than 600 lives this year.

A similar shutdown of businesses islandwide has been planned by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica for this Wednesday, and private sector leaders are to meet separately with Government and Opposition politicians this week on the issue of crime.

Among the persons who filled the St Thomas Moore Catholic Church at Fernleigh Ave in May Pen to overflowing yesterday to pay last respects to Azan were Government ministers Portia Simpson Miller and Senator Burchell Whiteman, Opposition parliamentarians Mike Henry, Karl Samuda, Pearnel Charles and Dr Ken Baugh, who was representing Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, and the mayor of May Pen, Milton Brown.

Bishop Dufour said that the more than 600 persons murdered so far this year were from various social backgrounds – rich, poor, educated and uneducated.

Civil society must rise and challenge the criminals and should not take a back seat, he said and encouraged Jamaicans not to hide behind the “collective we”.

Everyone, he said, was individually and collectively responsible for the affairs of state and would have to work together to “break the barrier and bring justice to our land”.

“They blame Parliament, they blame civil society, they blame the private sector, not realising that each citizen bears some responsibility,” Dufour said of the citizenry, and suggested that one way in which citizens could help in the fight against crime was through their citizens’ associations.

“Every Jamaican can make a difference to help clean up Jamaica,” Bishop Dufour told the congregation. “Everyone should leave here resolved that they are going to do something decisive to bring about a change.”

He described Azan as an exemplary Christian, devoted husband, father and grandfather who shared his time and talent. The businessman, who was a justice of the peace, had a sense of community and love and had rendered service to thousands of people, he said.

“Without a chance to prepare himself, Maurice was plunged into darkness,” Dufour said. However, Azan was an ardent believer in Christ, said the bishop, and “we believe Christ will lead him home where sorrow will be no more”.