IRO leader: Parents psychologically abandoning children

THE NATION’S real enemy is the destruction of the home and the family, which given the chance would lead the country to moral erosion in every sector of the society. This, according to the President of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago, Rev Cyril Paul.

In his message to the nation on the country’s 41st anniversary as an Independent nation, Rev Paul called on citizens to move their minds beyond their own family, and consider the special needs of the national family of Trinidad and Tobago. He explained that what the country needed was the spirit of love, respect and understanding throughout the society, and then “God, with whom nothing is impossible, can help to solve some of the frightening problems the nation faces on a daily basis.”

Rev Paul also pointed out that parents had a major role to play in the nation’s development. He indicated that the parents of “our” society needed to give more character and distinction to the lives of their children, since too many of the nation’s children and young people are psychologically and spiritually abandoned by their parents. He noted that such abandonment leaves a child to face change, decay and challenges without parental support, guidance and examples. Rev Paul also pointed out that the nation could not find ease when it is “faced with family violence, spousal abuse, incest, and the continued exploitation and degradation of womanhood and girlhood.” He issued an urgent call to citizens to turn from “selfishness,” and “deceit,” from “self pity” and “self-seeking” and discover the true spirit of God.