The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) has frowned upon the use of an alcoholic beverage by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz during Wednesday’s dedication ceremony for 60 buses to be used in the rural school transportation system while distancing its president, Bishop Christine Gooden-Benguche, from the activity.

The council, in a statement issued to the media on Thursday afternoon, said Gooden-Benguche had accepted an invitation from the Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport to dedicate buses that were assigned to the Rural School Transportation Programme in keeping with its “principled position” of approving “initiatives to provide convenient and safe transportation for our children to and from school”.

It however said following the act of dedication at a brief service at the Banquet Hall at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and subsequent additional prayers of dedication where the buses were parked, Bishop Gooden-Benguche, along with another clergyperson, who officiated left shortly after pronouncing the benediction as “their call to duty ended”.

It said what followed next is not embraced by the council.

“We have seen images that purport the use of an alcoholic libation as a ritual in the event. We are aware of the religio-cultural significance of such a ritual, but remind the nation that this is not a part of the Christian liturgy that is practised in our churches,” the JCC stated.

The council said, as such, Gooden-Benguche and the other clergy officiants “were not involved in or present at any time when such an activity took place”.

“We appreciate our rich and diverse culture in general and its understanding of its historical retentions in particular. However, we do not embrace these practices in our Christian liturgy for our worship of and service to the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures and manifestly fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who is the head of the Church,” the JCC declared.

The 60 buses represent the first of 110 vehicles which will be transporting students to and from school in rural Jamaica, beginning September 8, under the Government’s Rural School Bus Programme. Another 50 buses are expected to be rolled out between September and November, according to Vaz. Among them will be 47 small 32-seater units with engines designed to navigate remote areas; 38 mid-size buses which have 54 seats; and 25 buses designed to seat 72 people each.

“This phase will benefit thousands of students from 258 schools islandwide, with 55 of the 122 routes across all parishes being served by 60 of the first 110 buses. The remaining 40 buses will be introduced gradually between September and November with an additional 10 buses held in reserve to guarantee continuity of service,” Vaz said at Wednesday’s blessing ceremony.

“Jamaica, this initiative is inclusive. Twelve of these buses will serve eight special needs schools in phase one, with another two to be added in phase two. This will ensure that no child, regardless of ability or circumstance, is left behind,” he added.