.Many practices in the business world reflect past views, and having to follow them can prevent people from exploring new approaches. Corporate policies and practices should encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. But boards don’t often place importance on qualities such as independence, intuition and non-conformism, or reward critical or imaginative thinking

Today’s leaders may have earned their spurs when expectations were different and possibilities fewer, yet they sti ll think they know best. They may claim to have a more strategic perspective, but many of them are preoccupied with internal issues. Front-line staff may be closer to customers and the market, and are often earlier adopters of new technologies than those at the top of the corporate tree.

Are your colleagues aware of their limitations? Do they experiment and question assumptins? The philosopher Sir Karl Popper warned of the enemies of the open society. Enemies of the open company are excessively concerned with order. They are slaves to particular models, reluctant to empower others.

The freedoms There are a number of essential freedoms for liberating latent potential.

Support your staff and allow them to work and collaborate in ways that allow them to be creative.

Encourage people to be open about problems, learn from mistakes and failure, and build on achievements. The computer animation studio Pixar blossomed because candour and constructive questioning were highly valued. People actively searched for solutions and better approaches.

Celebrate diversity Many boards are intolerant of variety: markets fragment, customers seek bespoke responses and new channels emerge, yet directors still try to insist on a dull uniformity.

Single solutions are imposed. No wonder so many creative ideas originate outside of the workplace. Differences of opinion can be healthy and spark innovation.

Avoid rigidity and bureaucracy Well-networked organisations can support co-creation and grow organically.

Collaboration can speed up adaptation and spur innovation. The chemist and novelist CP Snow warned of a divide between science and the humanities with the emergence of two distinct cultures. But perhaps another division emerging is that between those who think in a logical way and prefer order, and those who are tolerant of uncertainty.

The latter favour variety and look for links, patterns and relationships. Throughout history breakthroughs have been caused by outsiders who challenged orthodoxy. Boards should look beyond the usual suspects. Allowing creativity can unleash energy and stimulate imagination.

Nurture entrepreneurial fl air so that you can develop and commercialise creative ideas at prices pitched so that enough people will buy to generate a profit. To have a dream can be inspiring, but a relevant and affordable offering can provide an income. In business, both thinking and doing are required. We need aspiration and achievement.

Review corporate policies and practices.

Business leaders should consider where creativity and entrepreneurship are most needed. What should they be applied to and why? What is their value to customers? The requirements for effective corporate leadership and successful entrepreneurship are converging. In some contexts, they may soon overlap and be almost indistinguishable.

Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas FCCA has advised directors and boards in over 40 countries.

Despite being miles away, the pain was closer than ever as Zheng’s mother could be heard weeping loudly over the phone at the sight of her daughter’s casket.

Throngs of Santa Cruz residents packed the aisles and spilled out onto the church foyer to pay their final respects to the woman many affectionately referred to as “Jackie Chan”.

Father David Khan lamented that society has become too accustomed to crime and violence and pleaded with mourners to reject evil.

He also told Zheng’s killers that in time they too will receive judgement from God. “Our God is a God of justice and I believe that he has the final say,” Khan said.

“So to the perpetrators of this heinous crime, remember tomorrow is another day. It is sad that we in T&T are getting so familiar with the demons of men.

“To many people, once these demons don’t bother them, they couldn’t be bothered.

“But I say to you today don’t wait for something like this to happen to you for you to take action.” MP for St. Ann’s East Dr Nyan Gadsby- Dolly also attended the funeral and expressed condolences to Zheng’s husband.

She called on members of the community to take a stand against crime and injustice and to be their brother’s keeper in such turbulent times.

Zheng’s husband Peter Tan spoke briefly with Newsday after yesterday’s service and said while he still intends to leave Trinidad, he was touched by the outpouring of support from the community.

Newsday spoke to Cheryl Crosby who said the neighbourhood has been left deeply traumatised by the murder and respected Tan’s decision to return to China with his children.

Neither of Zheng’s two children were present at the funeral.

Newsday understands that Tan has not yet informed them of their mother’s death.

The Trade and Investment Convention (TIC); hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, is being held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya from July 6 to 9.

To find out more about the cocoa products being showcased this year, Business Day spoke with Jenson Alexander, CDCTTL Director and Chairman of the CDC-TIC 2017 Planning Committee.

“Visitors will be treated to the delights of mixologists, cuisine and nutraceuticals, along with a wide range of lotions and chocolates. Our intention is to showcase the diversity in the cocoa industry.”

According to the website, www. news-medical.net, nutraceuticals is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.

Last year was the first time that CDCTTL had a presence at TIC, following which it has seen an increase in cocoa production; based on information from individual farmers.

“But moreso,” Alexander said, “we have seen a greater interest by farmers who wish to get involved in value adds. CDCTTL executives have also met with farmers and persons who have committed to rehabilitate their fields with a view to increasing local production.”

While he declined to say how much it cost to rent a pavilion at TIC, Alexander did tell Business Day that the 2017 edition costs “much less than what was spent last year.”

“We see it as an investment, as we showcase some 17 exhibitors within the space over the four-day period.”

For its investment to be considered a success, the CDCTTL would like to see “an increase in the number of persons who see that cocoa is option for creating products which will lead to our farmers increasing production.”

Asked why the theme “The Revolution Continues” was chosen for the CDCTTL’s 2017 pavilion, Alexander explained that they want everyone onboard to help grow Trinidad and Tobago’s (TT) cocoa sector.

“Locally, a trending issue is that of young entrepreneurs in converting local high-quality cocoa into local high-quality chocolate (75 percent to 80 percent cocoa content). The vision/revolution is limitless – not just exporting cocoa beans abroad. Not limiting ourselves to the production of chocolates. There are value-added products for the pharmaceutical industry, such as soaps and creams, as well as gourmet cocoa cuisine, using the cocoa pods for production of handicrafts.”

Information about all 17 exhibitors at the CDCTTL pavilion will be available on the company’s Facebook page, complete with links to each company and product information.

Speaking about product trends the CDCTTL has observed since TIC 2016 and how local farmers and cocoa product manufacturers trying to make the most of this opportunity, Alexander noted that TT has many producers of chocolates, as evidenced by the exhibitors last year and those this year.

“One in particular has since launched a caf? offering a range of cocoa value-added products. There has also been a trend to offer darker chocolates, known for its health benefits since the local consumer population is becoming more discerning.”

While many of these products are available in local stores, Alexander said more marketing has to be done if the general public is to be more aware of the various producers and the products they sell.

The CDCTTL plans to address this as part of a strategic plan for the cocoa sector. This is “in its final stage”, following which it “will work with all stakeholders to make this a reality.”

“Citizen Security may be regarded as a dimension of human security.” The more overarching construct, human security, “is based on a fundamental understanding that Governments retain the primary role for ensuring the survival, livelihood and dignity of their citizens.” The concept of ‘citizen security’ is associated with security against the threat of crime or violence and involves those rights to which all members of a society are entitled, so that they can live with as little threat as possible to their personal security, their civic rights and their right to the use and enjoyment of their property.

We must ask ourselves, as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, including those of us who are entrepreneurs, do we feel safe and secure? One only needs to read the newspapers daily to realize that the continuous rise in violence and crime – more recently against businessmen and women – has crippled our economy and our country. The obvious next question would be, with an ever increasing budgetary allocation to the Ministry of National Security, has there been any corresponding decrease in the level of crime? The Global Peace Index (GPI), which is the product of the Institute of Economics and Peace, attempts to measure the level of peacefulness within a country. In 2017, it ranked 163 countries and the index gauges the level of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization.

Factors are both internal such as levels of violence and crime within the country and external such as military expenditure. The assertion is that low crime rates, minimal incidences of terrorist acts and violent demonstrations and a stable political scene can be equated with peacefulness. It is important to note that the main findings of the GPI are that peace is correlated to indicators such as income and schooling and that peaceful countries often have high levels of transparency of government and low corruption.

According to the GPI for 2017, of the 12 countries in the Caribbean region, five saw their scores deteriorate. The largest deteriorations were registered in Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. In the latter case, this was on account of a rise in military expenditure as a percentage of GDP and weapons imports. In fact, for 2017, Trinidad and Tobago’s ranking has plummeted to 97th as compared to 84th in 2016 and 77th in 2009.

This places us behind countries such as Haiti and Jamaica. Interestingly in 2009, Haiti ranked 120th and Jamaica 89th, which means that, in spite of their many challenges, they have seen significant improvements.

According to the report, the economic cost of violence for Trinidad and Tobago was $6.5 billion representing almost 15% of GDP. As for societal safety and security, both Jamaica and Haiti, and even the Republic of Congo, ranked better than Trinidad and Tobago.

It is hoped that this is a wake-up call to our leaders and emphasises the need to treat with spiraling crime effectively. We are squandering massive resources in these parlous economic times without any positive impact. The monies being wasted could be directed towards treating with unemployment, poverty, health and education. For citizens to feel safe and secure, the perception of the government’s ability to ensure freedom from crime is also an integral part. We are fast running out of time.

Roads are designed to accommodate a projected number of axle load repetitions of a specific magnitude for a projected service life. The damage created by traffic loads is expressed in terms of a reference axle load. Projected axle loads from different vehicle configurations are converted into an equivalent number of 8,000-kg single axle loads. These equivalent single axle loads (ESALS) are the basis for determining the thickness of the road structure required to provide the desired design life and thus its cost. The effect of a single axle load on a road increases as approximately a fourth-power of axle load. For example, although a 16,000-kg single axle load is only twice as large as an 8,000-kg single axle load, it causes 17 times more loss in life of a road.

In addition to the impacts on road service life, increasing axle loads may also increase the level of maintenance required between major resurfacings. As expected, using tandem axles rather than single axles reduces the damage to the pavement.

I have suggested that Government consider a system of varied license fees based on the number of axles and axle configuration. Lower fees would be applied for the vehicles with higher number of axles, with particular advantage being applied to the usage of tandem axles.

Section 97(1) of the existing Act directs the vehicle or trailer to the nearest weighbridge for the purpose of weighing such load.

Which weighbridge of the Licensing Authority is operational? The 1994 Weigh-in-Motion Study done by Lea-Trintoplan on behalf of the Ministry of Works and Transport showed that there was a significant amount of vehicle overloading on the nation’s roadways.

The incidence of overloading was greatest on the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, the Uriah Butler Highway, and the Eastern Main Road in Valencia. The main offenders were semi-trailers with 3 or 4 axles, while straight trucks with double wheels on the rear axle followed closely.

Hauliers of aggregates and hardware material often install a “greedy bar” in order to extend the truck’s capacity beyond the stipulated maximum gross weight. The “greedy bar” is removed whenever the truck has to be inspected by the Licensing Authority.

The Honourable Attorney General referred to the Jamaica example; let me refer to Jamaica a bit. Jamaica has given priority to the control and enforcement of vehicle overloading.

What is the extent of their overloading? (a) The number of heavy vehicles doubled over the period 1994-2006.

Just like us in T&T.

(b) The typical truck is at least 65% overweight (quite a number of units are carrying twice the legal axle loads). This causes in excess of 10 times the damage of a vehicle carrying legal axle loads and cuts in half the life of the roadway based on design loads.

Several years ago, Jamaica established a Vehicle Weight Enforcement Unit: (a) A 4-man unit established at ITA.

(b) Unit has received hands-on training on AX900 Portable Scales.

(c) Developed a Comprehensive Vehicle Weight Enforcement Manual.

(d) Procurement of the two (2) portable weigh scales.

Jamaica has proposed improved regulations:

• An increase in the sum payable as a penalty for breaches or violations of the law is also proposed.

• The person in charge of the vehicle shall ensure that another vehicle is dispatched and the excess goods be off loaded onto another vehicle in a manner not likely to cause obstruction to the traffic and the offending vehicle or trailer shall not proceed until it has satisfied the prescribed weight limit.

• “The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) may after seven (7) days, dispose of non- perishable goods stored [removed from overloaded vehicles] by means of sale or such other manner as it thinks fit. For perishable goods, the Island Traffic Authority may sell or otherwise dispose of them before the seven (7) days.” The ITA does not want to get into the storage and vending business

• Axle configuration details to be put into regulations

• No objection to varied license fees favouring increased axles, but max vehicle length of 17.3m must not be exceeded I have recommended that

(1) Permanent weight-restricted bridges be placed at the terminal gates of all ports, in order to address container truck overloading;

(2) The Licensing Authority acquires portable weigh bridges; and,

(3) vehicle weight regulations be enforced in a consistent and effective manner. This enforcement should be highly visible in order to deter and act as a warning and reminder to others.

e-mail: info@ccost.org

Addressing the UNC’s Monday Night Forum meeting at the McBean Hindu primary school in Couva, Indarsingh also asked the labour movement to compare the number of negotiations that had been settled by the ruling PNM government since it took office in 2015. “I want to ask the labour movement of Trinidad and Tobago, how many negotiations have been settled for the 2014-2016 period,” Indarsingh said.

“I want to ask them what is the government’s position as it relates to the 2016- 2019 collective bargaining process,” he said. “I want to ask Minister (Colm) Imbert, how much workers will lose their jobs based on the coming of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA),” he said. “I also want to ask the Minister of Energy and the new parliamentary secretary, based on the report of the restructuring committee, how many workers are destined to lose their jobs at Petrotrin in addition to the 25,000 who have already list their jobs,” he said. “There is a sense of hopelessness in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

Indarsingh also observed that two weeks after the passage of Tropical Storm Bret, government had failed to deliver assistance to affected homeowners in south and central Trinidad. Also addressing the meeting was Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial who said the Ministry of Works and Transport had not done any maintenance works on rivers and watercourses in central Trinidad since 2015.

She however reserved her harshest criticism for the Minister of National Security, Edmund Dillion saying crime had been steadily increasing in central Trinidad due to an “absence of leadership” at the Ministry.

“I can tell you that there is no 24 hour joint Army and Police patrols anywhere in central Trinidad,” she said and wondered whether the recent murders of schoolboy Videsh Subar and his caretaker Hafeeza Rose Mohammed would be solved or would it be relegated to “cold case” status.

Meanwhile, Couva/ Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) deputy chairman Allan “Taxi” Seepersad said his family had not yet come to terms with the murder of his brother Roopnarine “Dar” Seepersad in 2015.“We cannot ketch we self yet,” a sombre Seepersad said, adding, “I does ask myself sometimes in the night why you gone boy and leave your wife and children.”

At a news conference yesterday at the ministry’s Port of Spain office which was also attended by Chief Education Officer Patricia Mc David, the ministry’s permanent secretary Angela Sinaswee-Gervais and TTUTA head Lynsley Doodhai, Garcia gave a breakdown of the statistics of this year’s exam.

He noted, “a little dip” in the number of pupils overall, scoring over 50 percent, from 64.84 percent last year to 63.22 percent this year.

For Language Arts, Garcia saw a “huge improvement” in pupils scoring over 50 percent from 62.8 percent last year to 76.4 percent this year. Garcia did not offer figures for Math.

He did not present figures for Creative Writing, saying this subject was held under conditions of the Continuous Assessment Component (CAC) last year but as an exam paper this year, so no valid comparison could be made.

Garcia said the proportion of pupils scoring over 90 percent overall was now 14.25 percent, up from 12.17 percent last year.

For Language Arts this figure of high-achievers was 14.74 percent, up from 0.8 percent last year.

“Our Evaluation Department will have to look at it, a great disparity,” he said. Garcia lamented that some pupils have poor literacy and numeracy despite seven years of primary schooling.

Francis said “a remarkably high number” of pupils are scoring zero in the SE A Exam, even as otherwise competition is getting tighter at the higher end of the scale to the extent that to get your first choice, you would need a perfect score.

Francis lamented the crisis where a cohort of 100 pupils enter secondary school but only 20 ultimately graduate.

“My heart, my soul and my mind are focused on those at the other end of the scale. We can’t afford to have 2,000 young people on the cusp of secondary school who are unable to read or write,” Francis said.

He lamented that the proportion of pupils failing to reach 30 percent remains as troubling as had been seen last year. Some are likely challenged by “undiagnosed issues”, he lamented, adding that the Ministry must focus more attention on these pupils.

Citing a constituent’s child who had scored just five percent in Math and six percent in Language Arts, Garcia said such a pupil lacks the foundation to start secondary school, advising, “It is in their interest to build on their foundation.” However, Garcia and Mc David sent different messages as to whether parents of low-scoring pupils under 13, could insist their child move on to secondary school, rather than re-sit the SE A.

Posed this question, Mc David said no, but minutes later Garcia said yes.

“It is not an option. It is ministry’s policy that under 30 percent (and under 13 years old) will be asked to re-sit,” Mc David said. Garcia cited a Cabinet policy document that said low-performing pupils have the “opportunity” to repeat, but the document did not say if parents could refuse that offer. “It is up to the parent to accept that opportunity or not.” When asked if the head table was giving two conflicting statements, Garcia cut off the reporter mid-question to accuse him of trying to drive a wedge between himself and Mc David.

Dear Promoted and Deflated,

Congratulations on your promotion! Know that you are not alone. According to a study published by the American Sociological Review, 70% of Americans struggle with finding a work-life system that works for them, and we see everyday evidence that it is an on-going battle locally as well. Balancing a career and family is a challenge for any professional. Add motherhood to the mix and you begin to feel overwhelmed. It is important that you give yourself credit for your accomplishments, both at work and at home. You have done well.

Many women struggle with work-life balance, and they feel time management is the answer to their woes. However, it is more an internal struggle, within our minds, than the skills we possess.

Work-life balance is really a psychological construct which we have allowed others to define for us. The term “work-life balance” suggests that there is an element of a divide, two different and distinct aspects of our lives, and it connotes that these elements are equal. If we try to separate work from life, we will always be frustrated and going on a guilt trip. Whether you feel guilty for leaving the office before 6 pm when there is still work to do, or guilty because you have to work until 6 pm, there is no way out.

When you focus too much on work at the expense of the rest of your life, you run the risk of your work taking over your sense of identity completely and becoming the only source of meaning in your life.

We must recognize that work is part of life and not separate and apart from life. Sometimes we just need to focus more on work – for example when there is a project deadline approaching – and sometimes we need to just focus on home because the situation warrants it, for example, an illness, a wedding, exams, or an important family event.

Ask yourself, “Where do I want to devote my time? What is my priority now? Can my family wait? Can my boss wait?” Your decision will always be based on what you value more at any given time, bearing in mind the long-term consequences. “Work-life balance” is a see-saw. “Balance” is whatever makes sense for you at a given point in time. “Balance” is never like a balanced scale.

As you adjust your mindset to disregard the concept of work-life balance and embrace the fluidity of life that includes work, here are some steps you can take to help you be less stressed and gain a sense of fulfilment: Wake up early. Getting up early gives you a sense of control over your day. You won’t be rushing to get to work.

Organize yourself at work. Get to work early and leave early. Every afternoon make a list of three main tasks you want to accomplish the following day.

Assume ownership of your time.

Manage distractions (like social media and idle conversations from the popular girl down the corridor who seems to have no work to do and always pops into your office) and stop procrastinating. Learn to say “No” sometimes.

Carve out time for your family each week. Go for dinner, ice-cream, have a family movie-night (movienight can be at home).

Do routine things together as a family – take mini local vacations, go to church or visit relatives or friends together, as a family.

Get support. Whether for your chores, or just good old moral support. Remember Gal Gadot plays wonder woman in the movie, you don’t have to play the role in real life.

Build downtime into your schedule. Set aside some “me time” to take care of yourself – meditate, exercise, find a hobby, go to the spa or just do absolutely nothing! Schedule a date night with your other half. Invest in your relationship.

Ensure you share at least one meal together as a family, if not daily, weekly.

Strive for equity not equality.

Equity tells us that all things are not created equally. Don’t frustrate yourself; accept that every day you will be adjusting the time you need to dedicate to your commitments at work and at home, and the time will not be equally spent on both fronts. Our choices in life are made based on our values, and because everyone’s values are different, everyone’s version of “life balance” will be different. You define what works for you. Work-life balance is a myth. It’s your life, live it on your terms.

AFETT is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2002 with the goal of bringing together professional women and engaging in networking opportunities, professional training and business ideas. ASK AFETT is a column meant to address issues and concerns of professionals seeking advice to assist in progressing in their careers.

Today’s response was written by AFETT member, Charlene Pedro, Managing Director, Conventus Consultinc and President of AFETT. Learn more about AFETT at www.afett.com, search for AFETT Events on Facebook, follow us @AFETTEXECS on Twitter or contact us at 354-7130. Email us your careerrelated questions at admin.afett@gmail.com.

When Newsday visited, some students were crying in the courtyard while screams from the bathroom area could be heard. Many parents did not want to speak with reporters, opting instead to console and offer encouragement to their emotional children. This was not the case however, with Dalia Lutchman, 12, who passed for her first choice school, St George’s College.

Her parents Kumar and Martha Lutchman stood in shock as she revealed the results to them. “We are shocked, but she is deserving of her results because she worked very hard.

We are very proud of her achievement as it is proof that hard work really pays off,” Mrs Lutchman said.

At the Rosary Boys, the atmosphere was different with joy being the predominant emotion expressed by students. Principal Richard Gomez said his school did fairly well and he was surprised one of his students placed at Presentation College in San Fernando.

Contacted for comment, Clinical Therapist and Clinical Traumatologist Hanif Benjamin said that the SE A should not be an exam for children at such a young age due to the pressure this exam places on them.

He said children in their early teens should not be put through the wringer of such a rigorous exam, mentally and psychologically, because they are not prepared for the level of the exam.

“What we need to find is a way of transitioning children into the secondary school. They need to find a different way of assessments. The pressure that is put on children by the schools and parents…by parents because of the status quo, they want their child to go to a prestigious or a good school, and by the schools they want their statistics and their numbers to look good and because we are a credentialed society.” He continued, “Where of course the first thing that came out of the news this morning is the schools that had the top performing students.

They took 200 students out of 18,000 and they reward them…they get to meet the Prime Minister and the President because they did well. I have no problem with students being rewarded for doing well but, what are we saying to the other students who have also done their best and are faced with challenges?” He said there are many students in TT who could not afford extra lessons or have assessed different resources.

“The playing field is not equal. When you say to children that we are putting you all to line up in one race and you have to run this race and we are going to pick the top 200 or 100, but yet only ten per cent of all who set the exam have the advantage. How does one reconcile that? ” Benjamin said there is no doubt why some children were crying out in disbelief and was left heartbroken yesterday, because the pressure and the burden that would have been placed on them, they are now realising that they did not get their first or second choice.

“We have to look out for students who did not do as well as they would have liked to because this is a time where we see a lot of ‘suicidality’, a lot of anxiety, a lot of stress, and a lot of worry from both parents and children because of the shame and embarrassment that goes along with it and that goes along with it because of the pressure we put on our children.”

“I thank God that your many gifts are being recognised in this way. Grenadians will benefit enormously from having you as their shepherd and bishop, and the work of the AEC bishops will be enhanced also as you share your gifts with your brother bishops.

“God bless you, monsignor, for working so faithfully in His vineyard.

I know that you will serve with dedication, love and commitment.

“The four words you used to describe your approach as you start your new ministry are inspiring and reflect the kind of leadership that is sorely lacking in our region and in our world today. Inter alia, you said that you will: look, listen, learn, and love — listening not only to what people will be saying to you, but to what God says to you. We could all benefit from your wisdom/discernment.

“We in our Archdiocese of PoS will forever be grateful to you for your contribution to building a better TT .

We have some way to go to achieve our goals, but we will get there as we learn from icons like you. Be assured of our continued prayers as you embark on this important phase of your ministry. May the Lord continue to journey with you as you take up your new episcopal duties.” What is the role of a bishop? It is worth reflecting on Pope Francis’ message to bishops appointed during the year prior to his meeting with them in September 2014. The Vatican website reports that the Holy Father said he saw bishops “as sentinels, able to awaken their churches… men able to cultivate and ripen God’s fields and pastors able to restore unity, sow nets and overcome division.

“Engage in respectful dialogue with the great traditions in which you are immersed, without fear of getting lost and without feeling the need to defend your borders, because the church’s identity is defined by the love of Christ which knows no boundaries.

Do not waste energy in conflict and disagreement, but rather use it to build and to love.” He said the church does not need “dull and pessimistic bishops who live independently having surrendered to the darkness of the world or the apparent defeat of good crying out in vain that the fort is under attack.

“Your vocation is not to watch over a failed mass of people, but to be guardians of the ‘Evangelii Gaudium’, as such, you cannot lack the only piece of wealth we really have to give and which the world cannot give to itself, and that is the joy and love of God.” In September 2015, he reminded bishops of the US that they need to recognise that their greatest joy as shepherds comes from being “pastors with undivided hearts and selfless devotion … The heart of our identity is to be sought in constant prayer, in preaching and in shepherding the flock entrusted to our care.” “Prayer,” he said, “nourishes the life of a pastor.” It helps him recognise his flock as “the ones whom you entrusted to me … Be pastors close to people, pastors who are neighbours and servants. Let this closeness be expressed in a special way towards your priests.

“Support them, so that they can continue to serve Christ with an undivided heart, for this alone can bring fulfilment to ministers of Christ … confront the challenges of our time … “The innocent victim of abortion, children who die of hunger or from bombings, immigrants who drown in the search for a better tomorrow, the elderly or the sick who are considered a burden, the victims of terrorism, wars, violence and drug trafficking, the environment devastated by man’s predatory relationship with nature.

It is wrong to look the other way or to remain silent” on these issues.

But to be successful, “it is important that the church … also be a humble home, a family fire which attracts men and women through the attractive light and warmth of love.” (www.

ncronline.org ) May the Lord guide our dear Monsignor Harvey as he seeks to teach, govern and sanctify the faithful in the Diocese of St George’s.

LEELA RAMDEEN chair, CCSJ