Manning: Why was I absent? — ‘No comment’

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, whose absence from the Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II on Wednesday has provoked criticism even from within his own party, indicated yesterday that he had no comment to make when asked about his absence. But his office announced yesterday that “out of respect” for his Holiness, flags in Trinidad and Tobago will be flown at half mass today, the day of the Pope’s funeral. And Prime Minister Patrick Manning will sign the condolence book at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Government also announced that it would be represented at the funeral of the late Pope by His Excellency Learie Rousseau, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ambassador in Brussels who is accredited to the Holy See and Dr Andreas Signori, Honorary Consul for Trinidad and Tobago, in Rome. Education Minister Hazel Manning said she did not attend because she did not receive an invitation and she “really wasn’t aware that it was happening at that time.” The Archbishop’s House however indicated that an invitation was sent to the PM and his wife.

The Archbishop’s House stated that it received a call at around 1.45 pm on Wednesday from the PM’s office. The caller said that the PM apologised for not being  able to attend the Mass because of a previous commitment. The PNM’s leadership normally meets at Balisier House every Wednesday afternoon. Many persons yesterday described the Prime Minister’s no-show at the Mass, which was attended by UNC leader Basdeo Panday, former presidents, President Max Richards, Parliament heads, religious leaders and members of the public, as an “unforced error.” Trinidad and Tobago established diplomatic relations with the Vatican on June 23, 1978.