PM: Baptists contribution to TT — invaluable

Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday called upon the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community to share with the country those positive values which they embody — discipline, perseverance and courage. “It is only by integrating these values into our daily lives that we can harness our unique strengths, skills and resources and make the quantum leap of faith that is required to realise our God-given potential,” he stated. Manning said as the country joined with the Spiritual Baptist community in incommemorating freedom, faith and fortitude, the nation should recognise that “each of us has had to overcome tremendous obstacles, which have brought us to a deeper appreciation of the value of liberation”.

Manning noted that when on March 20, 1951 the 1917 Prohibition Ordinance was repealed, all of Trinidad and Tobago — not just the Shouter Baptist Community- enjoyed a tremendous victory. “Indeed the freedom to worship without fear or prosecution is a pivotal underpinning of the diverse society, such as ours, that embraces a multitude of ethnicities, cultures and religions,” he said. Manning said his Government wanted to join with  citizens in extending best wishes and sincere gratitude to the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community for their invaluable contribution to the development of the nation.