Dear Editor,

The Observer of January 12 indicated that “Danny Buchanan maintained his vow to fight colon cancer to the very end. His mechanical ventilator or life support machine was switched off on Sunday following an improvement in his breathing. Prayers offered by Rev Ernle Gordon also gave the family of the political stalwart hope.”

It should be remembered that I officiated at the union of Danny and his wife 31 years ago, and so it was prudent that the anointing of his body should be performed by me. In retrospect, if I had anointed his body at seven sections, he may have lasted another seven days, that is Sunday, January 16, 2011, or there could be a miraculous intervention by the divine creator. All things are possible with God, because Danny was listening to the litany while he was being anointed, and the words aroused the subconscious vibrations — therefore, anything could have happened.

We have learnt a lesson from this ritual that we should never underestimate the power of the Almighty. There was a similar occurrence with Portia Simpson Miller’s mother, who appeared to me when I was going to anoint her body. My car danced in the road as the hearse passed with the body of Portia’s mother. God is real, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient.

Revd Canon Ernle Gordon

gordfm@yahoo.com