Hats off to Shouter Baptist Archbishops

THE EDITOR: The Shouter Baptist fraternity must be proud and jubilant over the way the Crowne Plaza debacle was handled by its leadership. Indeed, in the true spirit of compromise, forgiveness and reconciliation, the matter was resolved without resort to legal and/or verbal/media recriminations. This no doubt, is credit to the leadership and forthrightness displayed by Episkopus Archbishop Dr Barbara Gray Burke, Archbishop Monica Rando and Archbishop Morian.

The trio went about the exercise with consummate ease and professionalism worthy of emulation by the labour movement, private sector and state institutions whose activities from time to time bring them in conflict with each other, necessitating resolution around the negotiation table. While I must confess that Episkopus Burke and her team rest their negotiation skills in providence and the intervention of the Almighty, there are lessons to be learnt by politicians, business leaders and labour unions.

Trinidad and Tobago is currently experiencing the worst period in its evolution as a sovereign state. There are transformation dynamics which are constantly changing on a daily basis. These include economic development, wealth distribution, an appropriate political system to take account of the present ethnic and cultural diversities; while yet still addressing poverty and marginalisation in a time of relative national affluence. Globalisation and the need to bring all human resources to meet the challenges of this inevitability; which is associated with information technology and productivity based on an appreciation of competitiveness and efficiency.

These are simply imperatives that we must confront if economic and social transformation are to have any meaning. It is against this backdrop the conduct of Episkopus Archbishop Dr Barbara Gray Burke, Archbishop Monica Rando and Archbishop Moraine must be seen, and for which invaluable lessons can be learnt; whether it be in resolving the LNG crisis at Pt Fortin, addressing crime or dealing with the less-fortunate or engaging in legitimate bargaining for improved conditions of work for workers. Cordiality, mutual respect and a spirit of good faith, guided by sound principles of the highest order are traits which seemed to have galvanised the atmosphere which gave rise to resolving the Crowne Plaza incident. Hats off to these ambassadors of the faith. You have arguably, halted significantly the potential for tarnishing the reputation of Trinidad and Tobago  for its non-discriminatory traditions and zero tolerance for bigotry in any form.

PASTOR W SUTTON
St Michael SSBC