PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL OF CHURCHES DELIVERS STRONG SERMON

September 18, 2006

As part of the September celebrations an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving was yesterday. Canon LeRoy Flowers, President of the Council of Churches delivered the sermon. Canon Flowers said amidst the beauty of our homeland we face many social, economic, political and spiritual challenges. 

Cannon LeRoy Flowers

“Twenty five years ago we gained political independence as a divided people, the bitterness the hatred that almost led to civil strife six months prior to our political independence has never been healed. There are many who continue to carry this resentment of bitterness and in some instances hatred to this day in their hearts. Just listen to how they speak of an independent Belize and our leaders, sad but true even some who claims to be intellectuals of our society. I would say the twenty five years hence our political independence a small signal of hope was displayed when for the first time the People’s United Party decided in its leadership to march in the tenth of September. I pray God that they will never again allow their selfish motives to divide us as a people when we celebrate the tenth of September and the twenty first of September it is for all Belizeans regardless of political affiliation.” 

He said our division was political and still continues to this day.  As a result we short change ourselves and our people. Canon Flowers said we should not allow our differences to stunt our growth or mar our progress. 

Cannon LeRoy Flowers

“Disagree about policies about how much money would be spent where the money should come from but for God sake twenty five years hence the personal attacks and character assassinations of each other which has now become the buzz word in our social political discussion and discord. Yes we must all acknowledge that independence was a long struggle many families were displaced socially in this country because of their political beliefs they lost their jobs many had to migrate in order to simply survive while those could not migrate some stayed at home and did everything to undermine the development of this our homeland. This we need to acknowledge as well but in spite of all those odds Belize was born free nation on the twenty first of September 1981.”      

Canon Flowers went on to say the greatest obstacle to our political independence was the Guatemala claim and 25 years after it still remains a challenge and a threat.

Cannon LeRoy Flowers

“We must commend the political directorate of both political parties for the united front and effort in seeking to resolve this issue. May I say in the name of God do not give up; do not give up, our independence our maturity and faith in God demands no less. We must be persistent in finding a resolution we must talk to the Guatemalans they are our brothers and they are our neighbors  we cannot go anywhere, sad to say however the only place most Belizeans may be able to go is in the sea we must negotiate from a position of strength and hope and never from fear.” 

Canon Flowers said as we celebrate our freedom let us not lose sight of the challenges that beset us as a people. He said our families are in disarray. 

Cannon LeRoy Flowers

“Too many of us men continue to simply impregnate the women right left and center and think it’s alright. Too many parents have given up on their responsibilities; domestic violence and child abuse have now become norm for many of our children and our women. Poverty has breathing hopelessness and despair for too many of our citizens they cannot enjoy the fruits of an independent Belize. Gambling for so many is the sport of choice walk down any main alley in Belize and you will see a deck of cards and a few dollars on the table with casinos opening all over the place thus brining more pain and hopelessness to countless  families. Disrespect for each other has now become the norm, characters are destroyed behind the telephone on the talk shows on a daily bases with no or little regards for the rights and respect of others. Too many so call experts are now shopping around without any thought and any concept of the reality on the ground, too many of us in authority are arrogant and fill with pride so we do not know how to serve and the par of service as Jesus has shown us in His human life has escaped too many of us. We need to remind ourselves my brothers and sisters as we celebrate our independence that more than half of this nation’s population was born after independence.” 

Canon LeRoy Flowers.

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