Need for healing at CUC elections

THE EDITOR: It was just two years ago, in 2001, when the electors assembled to choose a President for Caribbean Union College. Prior to that election, we had pointed out that the incumbent, Dr Leslie Ferdinand, was pre-eminently the logical choice and should be given a second term in office.

His track record was unchallengeable. Among other things, the College, for the first time in many years, was debt-free, considerable progress had been made towards CUC becoming an autonomous University. Plans for the introduction of new faculties and new dormitories were firmly in place. The College was superbly poised to enter the new millennium with great expectations and resolve. Unfortunately, that election was an irrational exercise, which just two years later brought immeasurable shame and embarrassment to the College and the Adventist Church. Petty, insular politicking, character assassination, calculated misinformation dominated the proceedings. There was no critical perspective, no detached observation, no time or opportunity was given for pertinent questions to be asked. The result was predictable — delusion and confusion.

Nevertheless, with another election in the offing, it is now a time for healing and reconciliation. The past is lapsed indeed. All must now put on the cloak of humility and say a fervent ‘mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Thus freed, the business at hand can then be resolutely addressed. And for such an exercise there is precedent and a sacred formula. This was used in the early Church by the Apostles when they assembled to choose a replacement for Judas. The proceedings were recorded by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. We quote: “Thou Lord which knoweth the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou has chosen.” Here, the Apostles left the decision to the Holy Spirit. Thus, Matthias was God’s choice, not theirs. This is the Christian way for all elections.

There is no doubt that the electors of 2001 prayed before that election. But they were hearing without listening. There is always such a risk on these occasions as pointed out to us in the Epistles of Paul and John. (Paul; Galatians 4: John 1:4) They warn that we can easily fall to the ‘elements’ and ‘the powers of the air. It is these powers that stand in the way and influence our thinking and behaviour in so many unexpected ways, leading us to decide for the world against Christ, thus making any form of justice and reconciliation impossible. There is need, therefore, for keen discernment. Caribbean Union College has an illustrious, unchallenged record as being a truly Christian educational institution. Those of us who have worked and studied at its campus can proudly substantiate this claim. The College has ever been true to its motto: A Light to the Caribbean.

In these troubled times that light seems to flicker ominously. It needs but an ill-wind to snuff it out and plunge all into darkness and chaos. This would be a tragedy for the College, the Adventist Church and the islands of the South Caribbean. We humbly pray that wisdom and true Christian charity will prevail.

MERVYN C J AUSTIN
Five Rivers