EDITORIAL:- Not just 'giving up'

19 FEBRUARY 2010, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA.

         Standard Ltd, 222 South & Wellington Sts, G/town. Tel 226-2195, Fax 226-2192.
                                   Editor: Mr. Colin Smith.

EDITORIAL:- Not just 'giving up'

As usual most churches were packed on Wednesday by the thousands who went to be marked on their foreheads
with ash to signal the start of the season of Lent. It is also a time when we hear people talking about what they
will be "giving up" as the form of penance which they will be doing during Lent. However to think as Lent only
as a time of penance is to do it great injustice.
        While the practice of doing something positive for lent such as feeding the poor is also worthy of
praise, there is much more to this wonderful season than just additional practices of piety or acts of penance and
mortification. In Lent we are also called to what is described as metanoia.
        This word metanoia connotes a complete change of mind and heart. It means altering one's mindset
towards completely new ways of thinking and being and acting. This involves taking a look at where we are and
trying to see where we ought to be. It involves testing our values and discerning how they stack up against the
values God offers his followers.
        Fortunately metanoia is not something we have to do all by ourselves. The Almighty gives us a lot of
help in this process and so does the example of many of our brothers and sisters.
The call to metanoia and the admonition "Repent and believe in the good news applies to all of us not least those
in positions of authority in our Republic. Mistakes have been made. Very grave blunders have been committed.
Many ill conceived policies have been imposed on the people of this country by leaders who are becoming more
distant and isolated from their people. Guyana is now a state where more than ever the willing co-operation of
every citizen is needed to work for the salvation of our country. Leaders too must acknowledge that metanoia is
desperately needed.
        Lent is indeed about prayer, penance and giving alms for a specified period of time. However the deeper
and more important meaning of Lent lies in being transformed as individuals and as a nation through these
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practices. It is to fast from strife, from old arguments and hate, to purify our lives. It is to show a repenting
heart, ready to starve out sin from within.
        The possibility of making a fresh start in life is always open to us as individuals and as a nation.
However it demands that we must recognize and acknowledge that there is need for change. It also demands that
we summon up the courage and faith to begin the process of conversion. This is the message of lent which
Guyanese desperately need to take to heart at this time.

Renew our Christian Identity in Lent: Bishop Francis

As thousands of Catholics flocked to be marked with the sign of ash on Wednesday the start of the season of
Lent, Roman Catholic Bishop Francis Alleyne is urging Catholics to use the period to renew their true Guyanese
Christian identity.
        As usual there was standing room only at Brickdam Cathedral at all three services held there on Ash
Wednesday. Many other churches around the country also had large numbers attending the Services and
receiving the sign of ash on their foreheads.
        Bishop Francis Alleyne was the main celebrant at the evening service at Brickdam extended a special
invitation to all in the packed Cathedral to return there for the Easter vigil on April 3, because said the Bishop,
that is our primary identity as Christians. “We are Easter people so we should gather around the primary
celebration of the church… Lent is the season set apart for the celebration of Easter”, he reminded the
congregation.
        The Bishop recalled his brutal encounter in Church Street last October with two attackers who robbed
him and threw him to the ground. He acknowledged that it was an experience which many people go through
and it certainly put him more in touch with others who go through something similar or even suffer much more.
He also mentioned corruption which he “sometimes feels is so present among us”. Bishop Francis felt that these
incidents and encounters also tell us that something is wrong with the world and that something is lost from
human dignity. The sign of ash he said is to remind us of our disfigurement and of our wounded mortality and
we take responsibility for it. Although we may not have perpetrated these acts ourselves these things sometimes
happen because of our inaction.
        However following the attack on him he said numerous Guyanese met or called or e-mailed him from
overseas to offer their sympathy and saying in so many words “This is not who we are”. According to the
Bishop he found this a true Easter display of who Guyanese really are and of the true Guyanese spirit.
He noted that there is much talk today about who we are and who we can be and who we need to be. He
recommend that following the advice of the Prophet Joel the entire community should come together to realize
that agenda of God’s image for his people. To recover whatever has been lost or tarnished, to take away the
brokenness of mankind and restore its pristine image. He urged that Guyanese reach out and share life with our

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brothers and sisters and encouraged the congregation to persevere with dedication and lively hearts during Lent
with Easter glory in our sights.

Fr Oliver Farnum back in Guyana

Fr Oliver Farnum returned to the country on Fri 12 last after heart surgery in Trinidad followed by an initial
period of recuperation there. He told the Catholic Standard that he is very happy to be back in Guyana and
wished to convey his deep and heartfelt gratitude to all for the prayers and other expressions and various forms
of support which he received from many Guyanese and friends abroad especially in Trinidad. Fr Oliver says he
is still very much in the recuperation stage and for the moment is almost confined to the presbytery in
Campbellville on doctor’s orders. However he continues to get stronger daily. He says his return to ministry will
be in stages. The surgery became necessary after he suffered a heart attack while on holiday in the twin-island
republic. At present he is being treated for a leg condition which he says is a spinoff from the heart surgery.

T&T Archbishop at ordination of 20 permanent deacons

An accountant, a teacher, a principal, an engineer, a Customs broker, an entertainment consultant, and even a
some-time comedian. They’re all among the Archdiocese of Trinidad and Tobago’s first permanent deacons
and, in the words of Archbishop Edward Gilbert, represent ecclesial fullness.
“We are blessed in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain because, after today’s liturgy of ordination of 20 permanent
deacons, we will have all the categories of the People of God present, visible and functioning in the
Archdiocese,” said the archbishop in his homily at last Saturday’s historic ordinations.
        He added however, “As we reflect, without any sense of arrogance, on how generously God has blessed
this Archdiocese with the fullness of the signs of the Church, we must thank God and try, in our limited way, to
be as generous with God as God has been generous with us.”
        He continued, “The gratitude we owe to God as an Archdiocese must become visible by explicitly
worshipping and praising God, by celebrating our gifts – not hiding them, by sharing them – not selfishly
protecting them, and by being a Church in mission – not a Church that is resting and becoming comfortable with
secularised society. We cannot just take from God, we must give back.”
        There was a large turnout of priests, and the congregation included Anglican Archdeacon Steve West.
Permanent deacon Michael James of the diocese of Georgetown, Guyana, and Trinidad-born permanent deacon
Lionel Roberts of the diocese of St Petersburg in Florida, US flanked the archbishop for the ordinations. James,
a deacon for eight years, is the General Secretary of the Antilles Episcopal Conference Secretariat, while
Roberts was ordained in New York, in 1977.

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Viewpoint : Anniversaries By Vibert Parvatan

Each year there are Anniversaries which attract our attention and sometimes involvement. There are
those associated with joy, happiness and celebrations. On the other hand, there are some such as the
death anniversary of a loved one, which takes us along memory lane - past activities, interactions and the
sad moments of parting.

In our time frame, there is the past, the present and the future. We are often fairly comfortable with the past,
because whatever may have been the good and the bad, there is that stamp of permanency and the realities of
that time which cannot be changed. This leads us to accepting the past and its experiences as a season, then
with some objectivity, mixed emotions and recognition of the seasonal changes, evolving with time, we try to
understand the present.
        In that process, we may find strength and confidence based on experience to face the future, cognizant
of the fact that the timelessness of life and the elements of love, success and failure which are all uniquely
linked to almost every aspect of our lives. Attempts may be made to measure various episodes in our lives and
in so doing categorize each event with a sense of achievement, and sometimes disenchantment.
On the subject of Time, Kahlil Gibran observed:
        "You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.
You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.
Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.
Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness,
And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.
And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which
scattered the stars into space.
Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?
And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and
moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?
And is not time even as love is, undivided and spaceless?
But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,
And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future longing."

Looking at our lives and experiences, we find the changing scenes and seasons as in the case of a death
anniversary, a wedding anniversary, a birth anniversary, all with its significance, linking times and
seasons flowing from one to another.

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On a nation's anniversary, we look at the big picture, not just at ourselves as individuals, but as a people,
and as a nation. February 23, 2010 is a significant Anniversary for all Guyanese - the 40th Anniversary of
Guyana becoming a Republic. Different slogans have been presented by many nations over the centuries
reflecting their hopes and aspirations;
Freedom, equality and liberty;
The voice of the people is the voice of God; and for Guyana,
One People, One Nation, One Destiny.
All highlighting the importance of purposeful unity
and national consciousness.

        Like any developing country, especially a young nation, there are signs of both achievements and
shortcomings. The challenge for every Guyanese is to work together, removing barriers which separate and
alienate people. Instead to recognize how much we share in common as a people, knowing that success,
prosperity and happiness of Guyana and its people are dependent not only on the administration but on all of us,
as we have a contribution to make.

MAY THIS 40TH REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN GUYANA ALLOW US TO
CRITICALLY LOOK AT OURSELVES AS CITIZENS AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO WORK
TOWARDS THE ADVANCEMENT AND HAPPINESS OF OUR PEOPLE AND THE NATION AS A
WHOLE.

Let us lustily sing and make meaningful, the chorus of the song of Guyana's Children:
"Onward, upward, may we ever go
Day by day in strength and beauty grow,
Till at length we each of us may show,
What Guyana's sons and daughters can be.
                                     HAPPY REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY!
     IT IS A TIME FOR REFLECTION, CELEBRATION AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

Bishops from North, South America meet; Haiti dominates discussion

Rebuilding the church in Haiti dominated the agenda of this year's annual meeting of the bishops of the church
in Americas. More than 20 delegates representing bishops from North and South America met in Montreal Feb.
8-11. The bishops discussed how the Haitian relief effort could be better coordinated as well as the "rebuilding
of a church that has been devastated."

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The Bishops received information on how many priests, seminarians and religious sisters were killed in the
earthquake and how many churches and schools were destroyed. Bishops' conferences and religious
communities have responded with humanitarian aid and are now cooperating with the Haitians in the rebuilding.
The general secretariats of the U.S. and Canadian bishops' conferences and the Latin American bishops' council,
or CELAM, agreed at the meeting to coordinate efforts to help Haiti.

New Amsterdam Catholics return in Lent

Lent is a time when we ought to return to the Lord, and return the people did. Over three hundred flocked to the
Catholic Church of the Ascension in New Amsterdam to start the penitential season of Lent the traditional way
by attending Ash Wednesday Mass.
                                                       While there were the regular parishioners present, a large
                                                       influx of visitors filled the church almost to capacity. It is
                                                       hoped that this trend would continue throughout the entire
                                                       season. Monsignor Terrence Montrose said the Mass. He
                                                       was assisted by Lay Ministers. In his message to begin Lent
                                                       this year, Fr Montrose said that the season should be a
                                                       special experience of God in our lives. “It is the time for
                                                       intense preparation for those getting ready for Baptism”.
There will be no baptisms at the Church of the Ascension this Easter, but thousands are expected to join the
worldwide Church and become full- fledged Catholics. Many from other faiths and religions are expected, too,
like any other year, to be initiated into the 1.1 billion strong Catholic faith by the Holy Father himself in Rome
on Holy Saturday. But the journey is far from over. Easter is far in the horizon. We have just entered the season
of Lent.
Fr Montrose, in his message, went on to say, “We come before the Lord to ask for forgiveness; we fast, we give
alms, we do penance, we contribute to the Saint Vincent DePaul , feeding programmes and all kinds of
organizations that look after the sick and the poor. The money you save by not eating and drinking certain
foods, as part of your sacrifice, can be given to the poor.Lent is a time to make that extra effort, he said.
           He urged those present to give more of their time, to attend Masses more regularly. “We must look
deeply, seriously and honestly at our relationship with God.” “Our holiness and piety do not come from
ourselves but from God” During the service, the faithful had their foreheads marked with ash to remind them of
their mortality and sinful nature. During Lent, are also encouraged to take part in other spiritual exercises
including fasting, prayer, abstinence, meditations, attending Mass, attending Stations of the Cross, giving alms,
making regular confessions, receiving communion on a regular basis, mending differences with persons among
many other things.

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Valentine Affair At St. Teresa’s

A few thoughtful and caring women in the St. Teresa Parish got together and arranged a very delightful
gathering of a few widows after 8:00 am Mass on Valentine Day. These widows were treated to a breakfast of
coffee, various beverages, cakes and the usual goodies. There was a little nostalgic music and a beautiful rose
and candy jewelry box for all present. There was friendly chatter some of which was quite amusing. Women got
to know each other by name prior to which some of them only knew each other “by face”. It was a morning of
fellowship which will long be remembered

Nothing conquered his will to love

Dear Editor,
Little is known about a priest who put himself in harm’s way for the love of his mission to the poor and scorned,
and who then later died because he had truly become one with the outcasts, neglected and scorned. As we
observed the 56TH World Leprosy Day just over one week ago, we can ponder on the courage of one man who
literally came face to face with Hansen’s disease as the proper name suggests. I would like to share something
with the readers about leprosy and its impact on a people and one particular man about two hundred years ago.
It is believed that the Hawaiian Islands were some of the last places man discovered on the earth. Life flourished
in all forms on the islands and natives took good care of the creation. Those who inhabited the islands were
immune from contact with the outside world, until the arrival of the Europeans. That period would have seen an
immense increase of diseases brought to the island by sailors and foreign traders, like small- pox, cholera,
tuberculosis, influenza, venereal diseases, etc. Within a short time of the Europeans’ arrival, the population on
the islands dropped from about three hundred thousand to about fifty thousand.
Episode after episode of misery began to fill the lives of the original Hawaiian inhibitors. This included the
spread of the dreadful disease we know today as Leprosy. Natives began to be infected with the horrific illness.
They were shunned by the government and scorned by outsiders. It was like the Garden of Eden transformed to
hell itself. Misery swept the air and hopelessness began to take its course. The government, to distance itself
from the sufferers and suffering, packed all of the disease- stricken on to the island of Molokai, a leper colony
where food and other resources were virtually absent. Over eight thousand people were quarantined and sent far
away to the other side of the island.
        It was Father Damien Veuster’s turn to visit the island, in a roster prepared by Bishops to administer to
the spiritual needs of the people of Molokai. After a few weeks on the leper- stricken place, the priest became
one with the people. He was deeply moved by their suffering. He took good care of them. He built homes for
them; dressed their wounds; dug graves and built coffins; etc. He restored hope and dignity to hundreds who had
lossed everything including morale in themselves; in their government and fellow human beings. He became an

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important figure in the colony. In one of this writings, he made himself a “leper with the lepers….” Fr Damien
resisted warnings on several occasions of being too close to the people. Little did he know that out of over a
thousand volunteers on the island, he would’ve been the only one to catch leprosy. Nine years after he arrived
on the island, Damien became infected with Hansen’s. He lived and suffered and continued to help the lepers
with the disease for seven years until he died on April 5, 1889 at the tender age of 33.
          Father Damien Veuster was canonized by the Catholic Church last year by Pope Benedict XVI in
Rome. He will always be remembered as one who stood the test of times, putting himself at risk and his fellow
men first. He is truly a symbol of our human race that showed courage and resilience and love that is so much
needed today not to fight only leprosy but all other forms of deadly diseases on our planet. Hasn’t this man
taught us that no form of disease can overpower the human will to love and care; that love and faith in action
can work wonders even in hopeless situations; and most importantly that our world still has good and caring
people?
Leon Jameson Suseran

Fundamental flaw in legal system: AFC

Dear Editor,
Notwithstanding Chief Justice’s Ruling, AFC Members and Supporters will remain strong and unshaken as we
know that success means getting up after a fall.
The AFC will continue its fight for justice, free and fair elections and the freedom of the people to choose their
own representatives. The Acting Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, has ruled, on a legal technicality, against the
Petitioner, Mr. Melville, who was seeking to correct GECOM’s refusal to award the Region 10 seat to the AFC
according to the people’s wishes. An AFC win was clearly the result by the simple arithmetical computation of
votes cast from the authentic Statement of Polls. Every citizen of Guyana who paid keen attention to this matter
must see this only as a pot hole on our road to freedom and be reminded that nothing worth fighting for is easily
gained. The struggle will continue and we will have to ensure that at the upcoming elections, we the people
must win every victory decisively, without having to depend on the Courts to determine the people’s will.
There has to be a fundamental flaw in our legal system that can see a procedural technicality setting aside the
will of the people. As the next government, the AFC vows to reform the judicial system so that the ordinary
person will not just see justice, but be able to know and experience it.
As is well known, when the error was brought to the attention of GECOM it advised that it had no power to take
back the seat already announced publicly in favour of the PPP/C. GECOM had steadfastly held that the
correction of this mistake had to be done through the High Court through a Petition.
A set of preliminary points were argued jointly by lawyers for GECOM and the PPP/C to dismiss our just
Petition. The AFC was of the view that these were all intended to stall the process for more than three years.

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During this time the file was “lost” and was found after the AFC raised its voice; whereupon it came before the
Acting Chief Justice Mr. Chang.
The AFC and its Region 10 Candidate, Mr. Melville, were optimistic that the late filing of the Affidavit of
Service was not going to be so severe, especially in the context of the principle that in contested disputes the
merits of the issue should be dealt with.
The ruling was on a preliminary point, namely, that the Petitioner breached a procedural requirement when he
filed his Affidavit of Service ten months after filing the Petition. The legal requirement stipulated no specific
timeline, but merely stated that it ought to be done shortly after the filing of the Petition.
The Learned Judge held that this non-compliance in meeting this time requirement was so fundamental that it
was mandatory and not directory. Consequently, it made the Petition so defective that the result was that Court
felt that it could go on to hear the merits of the case.
It should be remembered that after the 2006 Elections when the leaders of the AFC instituted a constitutional
motion seeking declarations whether there was a lawful convening of Parliament when President Jagdeo had
lapsed by several months in convening the Parliament, the Court, then Chief Justice, Mr. Carl Singh, had ruled
that the President’s non-compliance of constitutional timelines, namely 4 months, was not so severe as to
invalidate the convening of Parliament. Non-compliance then was held merely directory not mandatory. The
AFC notes this contradiction.
The AFC is disappointed and frustrated by the ruling. But in the meantime will respect the Rule of Law and
judgment of the Court whilst considering appealing the decision.
ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE

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