“WE do not hate Catholics!”

This was the declaration of the leader of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Jamaica, Pastor Everett Brown, on Saturday as he moved to squash talk of hostility between the faithful of both denominations.

“We are not apologetic as a church in presenting the end-time message which God has given to this church to preach, said Brown, as he addressed hundreds of members during the Service of Ordination for three pastors at the Brown’s Town SDA Church in St Ann.

Brown was referencing a newspaper article by Roman Catholic priest Father Richard Ho Lung asking the question, “Do Adventists hate Catholics?”

“As christians we are respectful of other religious faiths, we respect their beliefs, we don’t agree with some of the things they preach and teach, but we love them and respect them. As far as Catholics in Jamaica are concerned, we have enjoyed a very warm and cordial relationship with the leadership and members of the church. We do not hate anyone, not even sinners we hate,” which was met with a loud, “Amen!” from the congregation.

In a response published in the Gleaner yesterday, Brown said the question raised by Father Ho lung had puzzled many well-thinking citizens.

“While one is not imputing motives, it is strange that the godly priest chooses to ask that question in public without first making contact with the church. Had he done that he would have gotten the simple sincere answer: Adventists do not hate Catholics and we do not teach our members to hate them, or any other religious or non-religious group. Furthermore, we do not label church leaders as devils.”

He pointed to an official statement: “How Adventists Views Roman Catholicism”, that can be found on the Adventist World Church website.

Meanwhile, Brown charged those ordained Saturday to be faithful to their calling.

“You must not take it lightly. Sometimes, pastors, we are tempted to believe that we are important, but we are not that important, it is the work to which we are called that is important.”

Those pastors ordained were: Wilton McKoy, pastor of the Moneaque District of Churches; Omar Oliphant, pastor of the Alexandria District of Churches and Czedale Smallwood, pastor of the Duncans District of Churches.