Dear Editor,

I am not the head of the National Family Planning Board, particularly because I have never had the requisite qualifications for that or its related fields. I am clueless about formulating legislation and have no aspirations where serving in Parliament is concerned. At best, I am a concerned citizen who only knows that, while I want the citizenry to participate and contribute, I want a political directorate that leads.

The role of the church in Jamaican society is undeniably marked by a rich history of service in education, health, social justice, and the good old message of choosing good over evil. Today, much of the social outreach done by the church is simply not known. If the help and general ministry given by churches were removed for one month, I shudder to think of the tremendous social unrest that would prevail.

That said, I would want to note that in a society where the church has traditionally been active, welcomed, and respected, we must be careful of giving in to any temptation to believe that the agents of the church have all the answers to the challenging questions of life.

Dr Sandra Knight is right! There ought to be a frank discussion about abortion minus religion and politics. We employ personnel in various disciplines based on their particular acumen. It is true that there is much value in employing sensitivity to various ethical, theological, and societal concerns in a context like ours. However, we all cannot be pastors, politicians, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and nurses.

Are we going to watch the sexual and reproductive rights of women wash down the drain simply because of our personal biases? Are we going to accept the gruesome crime of rape against any Jamaican citizen (regardless of gender) to get treated with disregard as a result of an inadequate definition of rape in our laws? Did the electorate vote for the church to determine the law of the land in 2014?

Our elected officials and all other employees of the State must be allowed to do their work. Capacity-building includes increasing awareness and affirmative response to the human rights of all Jamaicans. Human rights are indivisible!

We must come to that place where we know and practise the supreme place of human rights where there is a conflict of views inclusive of religion, politics, and citizenry. Think about it. Whether you are humanist, religious, political, stupid, bigoted, whatever, if the place of human rights is protected and its guidance adhered to, everyone, bar none, will be covered.

Those who guide the pace of decision-making in our Senate and any creature of the Jamaican Parliament have listened to debates and dialogue. The next step is action! Faith-based organisations provide voters and views. Legislators must still provide evidence-based guidance and leadership. Will you have the courage to act now?

Rev Fr Sean Major-Campbell

seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com