PM confirms removal of the Trinity Cross

This announcement comes amidst a High Court ruling that stated that the nation’s highest national award The Trinity Cross, was discriminatory to Hindus and Muslims.

This after the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) and the Islamic Relief Organisation (IRO) petitioned the courts seeking to have the Trinity Cross changed on the grounds of discrimination.

The following is the full text of Manning’s speech to Parliament yesterday:

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity to make the following statement to this Honourable House and the nation.

Throughout human history, the management of diversity has always been a great challenge for government and society. Racial and religious differences have been at the root of many of the most horrendous conflicts of human civilisation. This did not happen only in the distant past. It transpired with some of its worst consequences as recently as during the century just ended.

And it could happen again. Ethnic conflicts continue to simmer today in various global flashpoints; and some thinkers increasingly proffer the view that a clash of civilisations is at the heart of the new wave of international terrorism that we are now experiencing. It is clear that notwithstanding tremendous material, scientific and intellectual progress, human society has not completely eliminated those prejudices that stem from differences in culture, colour, race, religion and place of origin.

Since Independence, almost 50 years ago, Trinidad and Tobago has continued to be a shining example to the world, of unity in diversity. This is to the eternal credit of our people whose innate rationality and deep commitment to harmony have been of foundational importance in the building and sustenance of our nation. It has been paramount in resisting all attempts to create fissures in the society. Consequently, divisive demagoguery of all kinds has so far failed in this country. The people have not been as combustible as some would have liked.

We are therefore able to eventually make the right decision when difficult choices arise as a consequence of our plurality. We have one such choice now before us. Do we keep the Trinity Cross as the nation’s highest award or do we not?

As you know Mr Speaker, this is not a sudden development. For some time, arguments have emanated passionately on this issue, from various vocal and influential sides of our multi-religious spectrum. It is most noteworthy, however, that on a matter which can generate much emotionalism, never have we reached the point where there arose any cause for alarm.

This is a tribute to our country. We are a nation of great cultural and religious diversity. Our Constitution affirms our belief in God as the creator of all and as a guiding principle for the conduct of national affairs. Religious beliefs and practices are a most integral part of the lives of the vast majority of our citizens.

We have, with justification, been described as a very religious people. In fact it is part of the folklore that because citizens of one religion or the other are in fervent prayer at different times of the year, ours is a nation in constant worship of God and thus able to sustain the Grace of the Almighty through thick and thin for the benefit of all our people. Our good fortune has even produced the saying that “God is a Trini.”

This is not being frivolous Mr Speaker. The point I am making is that passions run high in this country where the matters of prayer, religion, worship and moral values are concerned. In the final analysis, the issue is not limited to the appropriateness of the Trinity Cross as our nation’s highest award. It goes deeper than that. Among other issues, it points to the role that religion should or should not have in the conduct of our national life. Large questions, Honourable Members. Managing diversity is no ordinary matter.

You can see therefore Mr Speaker, that as a result of our social and cultural milieu, there is, understandably, considerable difficulty in arriving at decisions or embarking on action that could offend the religious or cultural sensibilities of any group, however large or small, in our plural society.

This is the challenge that any government faces. The history consequently shows that the country’s political directorate previously examined the issue of the Trinity Cross and with clearly good intentions. During the Administration of those opposite, for example, a committee was established, headed by a former Chief Justice, to make recommendations on the way forward. The Committee completed its assignment, but no further action was taken.

This is not a criticism. We, who are also engaged in the political management of diversity, recognise that whatever decision is taken in such a situation could cause disenchantment on one side or the other. You run the risk of inflaming passions. You need to tread sensitively, carefully, almost tentatively. Religious beliefs are very close to the heart. No Government wants to alienate any section of the population, however large or small, through any decision it takes on a matter like this. It is not in the national interest. Our observers and analysts should therefore not be too short-sighted in their armchair assault on perceived political delay.

However, Mr Speaker, we must state that, as we on this side first observed the unfolding of the drama and then became directly involved in it, one fact always remained supreme and unassailable in our minds; and it is this. Trinidad and Tobago is a secular democracy.

But Mr Speaker, as our Constitution declares, ours is a society founded on the recognition of a supreme Being. This country therefore accepts the existence of Almighty God. It is well known that there are several religious interpretations of this very concept of the one God. It must therefore follow that a religious interpretation of the concept of Almighty God cannot be the basis on which the society advances. This would be too divisive and could lead eventually to the fragmentation of the society and even anarchy. Yet, at the same time, the Constitution guarantees that each individual is free to pursue the religious interpretation of his or her choice.

We must ensure that we do not endanger the future of this diverse society nor replicate the traumas of unmanaged plurality that have been experienced elsewhere. This beautiful, harmonious Trinidad and Tobago would then be no more. I am sure that no right-thinking citizen of this country would want that eventuality.

The Government has a responsibility to ensure that no such dire prospect is ever on the national horizon. And so I must point to the other unassailable fact by which this country is governed. This is the rule of law. This is the foundation of the order and organisation through which we continue to build this country. Without it there would be utter chaos; our freedoms would vanish, including our cherished freedom of worship; and we would be faced with the most devastating consequences to our stability and security from which it would be most difficult, if not impossible, to recover.

No one, including the Government, is above the law. This Administration must therefore adhere to the rule of law. One of our main responsibilities is to set the example. The Court has now ruled that the continued existence of the Trinity Cross as the nation’s highest award is, indirectly, discriminatory against non-Christians. My Administration therefore has an obligation to comply with this ruling and remove this anomaly from our national life.

We shall do it. At the same time, Mr Speaker, we must not lose this excellent opportunity to examine any other similar situation which has been allowed to persist to the discomfort of any section of the national family.

I therefore wish to announce that the Cabinet has agreed to establish a committee to review all aspects of the nation’s highest award and also to examine such other national symbols and observances which may be considered discriminatory and make appropriate recommendations to Government. The Committee will be chaired by Professor Bridget Brereton of the University of the West Indies, and its membership will comprise Ms Gillian Bishop, designer; university professor emeritus Dr Selwyn Ryan; lawyer and businessman Mr Devanand Ramlal; business leader Mr Gregory Aboud; Dr Rolph Balgobin, Head of the Arthur Lok Jack Institute of Business; Mr Anslem Richards, Head of policy research and development of the Tobago House of Assembly and Mrs Sandra Marchack, Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister and Head of the Public Service who will be secretary and head of the committee.

In undertaking its assignment, the Committee is expected to take into account the work of any other Committee on related matters. The Committee will report its findings on the matter of the Trinity Cross by the middle of July this year; and on its larger mandate by the end of September 2006. Mr Speaker the Government is determined to conduct the exercise of National Awards this year on the basis of new and more acceptable arrangements.

Mr Speaker, we have reached a defining moment in the history of our country. I am convinced we are on the way to the greater enlightenment and refinement of our civilisation. We are opening the national mind even further and putting to the test the understanding of our history and our much vaunted appreciation of variety. In the final analysis it would lead us to a better understanding of life and improve our capacity to benefit from the dynamic diversity of Trinidad and Tobago. Let us therefore go forward on this course of strengthening national harmony.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. May God Bless our nation.

USE FILE PHOTOS OF PRIME MINISTER PATRICK MANNING; THE TRINITY CROSS AND SAT MAHARAJ