THE island’s churches, facing heavy criticisms for their silence and lack of action in the wake of recent upsurges in crime, has expressed deep concerns over the current situation and called on those responsible to turn from their wicked ways.

In a joint statement, the churches through their united body – the National Church Alliance – condemned the acts of violence which have claimed dozens of lives in troubled Kingston and St Andrew communities.

“We would remind them that there will be a day of reckoning and accountability for all men,” the group said in a joint statement released to the media.

At the same time, the church group called on members of the security forces to be impartial in carrying out their duties and urged women and children in troubled communities not to stand in their way.

“We encourage our security forces to continue to act fearlessly, strongly and without favour against criminal elements, and with due care and consideration for the citizens of Jamaica, whereever they reside,” the National Church Alliance said.

“It is important for the security forces to operate in such a manner as to solicit the much needed support and cooperation of all well-thinking citizens,” the group added.

Women and children, the church group, said “should not hinder” the operations of the security forces.

The churches also re-emphasised their commitments to work for peace, safety and justice for all and encouraged the participation of all Jamaicans.

“We appeal to all our members to do all in their power to help the needy and support all lawful duties of the security forces,” the churches urged. “We Jamaicans are a strong, resilient and able people who will conquer the challenges of these times as we look to God and work together to overcome evil.”

The churches were particularly concerned about acts of violence against women and children and expressed sympathy for families who had lost loved ones during the recent upsurge.

“We mourn with those who have suffered such painful loss under tragic circumstances in the Mountain View Avenue area and in Arnett Gardens, the continued islandwide violence, including the atrocious burning of the family on Barnes Avenue in Whitfield Town,” it said.

The churches were referring to last week’s massacre along Maxfield Avenue where gunmen shot up a house, then set the building on fire, killing the four occupants – all members of one family, including a 10-year-old girl. Only a week prior to those killings, gunmen shot and killed a three-month-old baby and three women within a 24-hour span on Jacques Road in the Mountain View area, forcing frightened residents to flee the area.

Then on Sunday morning a group of gunmen invaded a house on Hanover Street, downtown Kingston and shot and killed a mother and her two sons as they slept, while gang violence has claimed several lives in Arnett Gardens.

The National Church Alliance is the united body for the Church of God in Jamaica, Jamaica Association of Evangelicals, Jamaica Association of Full Gospel Churches, Jamaica Pentecostal Union, and the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.