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More than 40 pastors throughout New Providence have recently promised to give their time and resources to crime fighting and to the youth of our nation, after realizing that the youth need their assistance.This announcement was made earlier this week after the pastors got together in a symposium led by the Bahamas Christian Council with the idea for men of the cross to become public school chaplains.Speaking to the press, two of the church's leaders Rev. Victor Cooper and Rev. Patrick Paul explained that the group's goal is simply to steer children in a more positive direction and away from crime, as the youth are the future of this country."We feel that this is necessary because we don't have parents or children who are attending Sunday school and they are not getting the Christian Education," said Cooper."And we feel that man is not a composite of body and flesh but also spirit and so it is important that the spirit man is fed. And we've been given that responsibility as men of God to do that."Adding that this is a step in the right direction, Paul said that as men of God it is their duty to talk to these children and guide them in the right way."This is very, very important because for the most part in their development they think things at different times and they need to have information to be able to balance their lives. And we believe that the Bahamas Christian Council plays a very important role in the life of our country,"he said.So far no date or school placement has been set for project. However, the Ministry of Education has giving the program it's full support.However, as the murder count has risen yet again now landing at 71, suggestions such as this are said to be extremely needed.Just two weeks ago, several ministers held a candlelight vigil to honor the country's murder victims, and to ask that the violence cease.But as the crime issue seems to just increase, even hardened police officers are lamenting the level of violent crime that is "raping the nation."One officer who did not want to be named, said he never thought he would live to see the day when the country's citizens would resort to murder to resolve their differences."I would like to see a change,"said another."Because sometimes it just feels like no matter what we do, this just won't stop.That people can't control their rage or whatever has gotten into them.But they need to, because we need a change."On the night of the vigil, psychiatrist Dr. David Allen, one of the event's organizers, called on Bahamians to pray for the healing of the nation and to assist in the crime fighting efforts, stating that prayer was the first step towards healing."With heavy hearts and burdened spirits, we gather here tonight to mourn the loss of so many of our brothers and sisters who have succumbed to the cruel ravages of murder and violent crimes," he said. "Overwhelmed by the ongoing human atrocities, we lament in the words of William Butler Yeast:'Things fall apart-the center cannot hold'.""We come to empathize with and stand in solidarity with the victims of our fallen brothers and sisters especially their children. We come not to blame or point the finger. We come to say we are sorry," he added. "We confess that we have not done enough to dispel the darkness, anger and fear from our hearts making it difficult for the light of hope and freedom to shine through."Added that the time has come to pray for the healing of the wounded souls in the nation, Dr. Allen warned that if Bahamians do not come together in a unified effort, crime will never end. However, in an attempt to add hope to the sorrowful occasion, Dr. Allen also said it was not too late to turn the culture of violence around, stating that we must reclaim the safety of our homes so "our children can grow up in an atmosphere of love and follow their dreams."By KARAN MINNIS
As in the days of Noah....
