Politicians go to church

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Friday | August 3, 2007

Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Both Major political party leaders and their proposed candidates for Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine have committed to worshipping this Sunday at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre in Kingston, under an arrangement through the Office of the Political Ombudsman.

Bishop Herro Blair told The Gleaner yesterday that he was enthused that Portia Simpson Miller, president of the People's National Party (PNP), and Jamaica Labour Party leader, Bruce Golding, had accepted the offer.

"They all expressed gratitude for the opportunity to worship together and they have informed their candidates of the service," Bishop Blair told The Gleaner.

Cease campaigning

Mrs. Simpson Miller, during her address at a PNP mass rally in Half-Way Tree Square, St. Andrew, on July 8, announced August 27 as the election date, and stated that her party would cease campaigning from the Emancipation to Independence holidays. She also called on the religious community to use the period of August 31 to August 6 for prayer and reflection.

The service, which will be held at Bishop Blair's church at 104 Waltham Park Road, will be led by clergymen such as the ombudsman himself and Dr. Peter Morgan, and will commence at 8:00 a.m.

A release issued yesterday by the ombudsman's office said, upon the agreement of the party leaders, further arrangements have been made for other candidates to attend services within their parish on the weekend.

"We have made arrangements with churches in all 14 parishes for candidates to attend," he said.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com