KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches is calling on Transport Minister Daryl Vaz to retract videos showing a libation ritual from social media and issue a statement clarifying that the group was not involved in it.

The group described as ‘disrespectful’ and ‘insulting’ the incident in which Vaz splashed what appeared to be white rum on a school bus as part of a blessing ceremony.

In a press release on Tuesday, expressing ‘profound disappointment’, the group said,

“Our representatives, Bishop Gooden Benguche and Apostle Michael Smith, conducted a formal prayer and blessing for the buses. After this ceremony concluded and they had moved on to bless the remaining buses, Minister Vaz performed an offensive act using rum that mocks Christian practices. Not only was this insulting, but it was disrespectful to the clergy who accepted the government’s invitation to offer prayers and blessing.”

The church maintained that it was not part of the official programme.

“We understand the view of many who believe the offensive video was diabolically inserted to create a false association. We categorically state that this was not part of the official blessing, and we had no prior knowledge of it,” it said.

Describing Vaz’s actions as a “mockery of the principles and practices of the Christian Church,” the group said, “We are most disappointed that because of his actions he has brought the church and the government into disrepute.”

The group added that actions do not reflect the values of the church, and it could not endorse them.

The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) in a prior statement had said, “We are aware of the religio-cultural significance of such practices, but remind the nation that this is not part of the Christian liturgy observed in our churches.”

READ: JCC clarifies role in bus dedication amid ‘rum blessing’ reports