Support for Archbishop Gilbert

Before attempting to remove or abolish the Trinity Cross as the Highest National Award of TT, Mr Manning and his Cabinet must take into consideration the shame, hurt, pride and the humiliation of the present holders of this prestigious award of the Trinity Cross, which they have been wearing with dignity and pride at official functions and abroad over the past 44 years and which they and their families, friends and the community have always cherished.

The Prime Minister and President must also consider what these illustrious men and women who presently possess these medals and citations are to do with them.

Should they crumble up their citations and throw them in the garbage heap, and flush their medals down the sewers?

Think of the humiliation and disrespect the present holders will face and feel, ex presidents, prime ministers, judges, distinguished public officers and citizens now residing both here and abroad.

Mr Manning and the President must retain the Trinity Cross and accept an alternate award of equal value such as the Trinity Crescent for Muslims, the Trinity Om for Hindus or an alternate Trinity Star to others who should be allowed to choose one when nominated and accepted for the highest award by the Awards Committee.

If the nominated person refuses to accept them, we have the precedent of Lord Kitchener — Governments must not discard history willy-nilly. There is absolutely no need to remove the Trinity Cross as this nation’s highest award.

RALPH PETERS

Arima