KINGSTON, Jamaica — A call by senior pastor, Reverend Peter Garth, for Jamaicans to temper the crass and vulgar manner in which they criticise each other has found support from Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

“Jamaicans, I urge you to stop the vulgar criticisms of each other and vicious character assassination. That has to stop and love has to take over, we are all in this thing together and we need all persons on deck if we are going to rebuild Jamaica. Let us love each other today,” Garth said as he delivered the sermon at the 46th staging of the annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Thursday at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew.

Holness later told Observer Online that the senior pastor’s words were powerful and he was encouraged by the message.

“I am particularly heartened by the message today. I think an important message that was delivered here at the ceremony is that as a nation we must be unified. There are those who will stand on the sideline and criticise unnecessarily, unreasonably and unjustly and there are those vested in character assassination, spreading of rumours and lies. That is not serving the interest of the nation,” Holness said.

Highlighting this year’s theme “Caring for our Neighbour”, Holness added that the message, underscoring the importance of unity, is a call to action.

“He [Garth] did point out that there are risks in giving, there are risks in being good, but the good neighbour is one who looks at doing good from the point of view of what would happen to the person in need if they didn’t act, rather from the point of view of what would happen to them if they act, and I think that is the essence of being a good neighbour,” added Holness.

He argued that the annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast, which was first held in January 1981 following the divisive 1980 general election, is an important calendar event for Jamaica as it sets the tone for the rest of the year.

“It is the forum in which we bring together all the national leaders, it reaffirms that Jamaica is a Christian society, that we believe in God and the power of God, and it gives us an opportunity to hear the words of the lord directly transmitted to leaders to guide us,” Holness said.

Garth, in his sermon, pointed to the devastation brought by Hurricane Melissa in October last year, and charged that many Jamaicans are afraid to help due to the risks associated with helping.

“We live in a country where we have become very cynical and we criticise persons. I watch the news on television, and I saw persons, the Government, the Opposition, the private public sector and the church all there doing the work of a good Samaritan and there were persons who were just there criticising.

“Brothers and sisters, the reality is pastors, politicians, the police, public and private sector individuals, are criticised daily and sometimes I wonder how is it that we go on. We go on because there is a purpose. We go on because there is love in our hearts. We go on because of the love we have in our hearts for Jamaicans,” said Garth.

He added that in order for the country to be unified, love must be present alongside the proper understanding of oneself.

“Let us continue our efforts to restore lives and rebuild homes. Let us respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Jamaica. Let us care for our neighbours,” declared Garth.

— Billeane Williams

Senior Pastor Reverend Dr Peter Garth delivering the sermon at the 46th annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. (Photo: Colin Reid)