Archbishop Harris’ final Homily: TT ruled by fear

Father Joseph Harris, in his final Homily as Archbishop of Port of Spain yesterday declared that this country is being ruled by fear.

Speaking on the rampant crime situation which breeds fear in the minds of law-abiding citizens, Fr Harris called on parishioners not to let this fear deter them from living just lives and spreading the good news of the Gospel so as to provide hope to others. He reiterated that fear is the number one enemy of all citizens at this time.

Even as Fr Harris spoke, police were at the scene of a murder in Kelly Village, Caroni where the body of a taxi driver who had gone missing on Saturday, was found with his throat slit in a dirt road.

Fr Harris lamented the violence that has gripped the nation and fed the fears of citizens, preventing them from carrying out their duties to God by sharing the message of hope. Quoting from the Bible, he urged parishioners to emulate the work of Jesus’ disciple John and continue to help others without fear.

He added that in recent years, many Catholics have chosen to adopt a more materialistic view of life and urged them to remember the true meaning of Christmas and adopt a more selfless approach to the faith. “Next week I would have been a priest for 50 years and you can imagine I have carried out a lot of funerals in that time.

“But in all the funerals I have carried out, I have never once seen a million dollars in a casket for the person to carry with them. It appears to me that many of us have changed God by giving attention to other Gods like money, pleasure and power.”

Newsday spoke with Fr Harris after the service and he said the was optimistic in his successor as Archbishop of Port of Spain, Fr Charles Gordon will continue the work of the diocese and as such, he has no advice to offer the incoming new Archbishop. Asked about the remarks of Apostle Andrew Ramjattan last Friday, in which he called on churches to play a more inclusive role in the fight against crime, Fr Harris said while he acknowledges the importance of religious leaders in preventing crime in communities, he believes education has a greater responsibility in curbing crime among youths.

“The problem lies in that we have an education system which prepares our young people for nothing besides to fail. This is something that has been an issue for some years now where this system produces failures who go out to become criminals.”

Asked how he intends to spend his retirement, Fr Harris said he is looking forward to reconnecting with loved ones and continue his writings.