WESTERN BUREAU: ON THE eve of the Local Government elections, a leading Roman Catholic cleric says that although the church encourages participation in the political party of one's choice, at times it is necessary to put aside party loyalty for the sake of electing the right person for office.

The suggestion was made by Jamaican-born Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Bridgetown, Barbados, the Rev. Anthony Dickson, who also said that since there is so much at stake, the electorate must also vote for persons who see themselves as servants.

"In the face of the upcoming Local Government elections, the church continues to impress upon each citizen the serious responsibility of participating fully in the political process," he said. "Our active participation in the political party of our choice is legitimate and must be encouraged."

However he added that since much is at stake, it was necessary to cross political lines to elect the 'right person.'

"What is at stake is the well-being of our neighbour and his or her quality of life," the Rev. Mr. Dickson said. "There are times when it is necessary to put aside party loyalty for the sake of choosing the right person who may not be from your own political party. Christians cannot shirk this responsibility. We cannot be laid back. We cannot say it is a waste of time."

He pointed out that the 'right person' is someone who sees him, or herself, as a servant of the people and who put the welfare of the country first. "Persons must be selected for public office who are not only competent to provide necessary services for the community," he said. "But, who are also servants prepared to spend themselves for the well being of the people of their parish and not seek their own aggrandisement."

The Rev. Father Dickson noted that in the face of a sliding dollar, the accompanying rise in the cost of living, a frightening high level of vicious crime and controversial law enforcement situation, it is important to elect persons who put the welfare of the country first. "Oh, how badly do we need people who are prepared to forget their own self interests and put the good of Jamaicans first," he said. "Oh, how badly do we need genuine servants today, person who will emulate Jesus."

The Rev. Mr. Dickson was speaking at a ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of Monsignor. Herbert Panton in Montego Bay on the weekend. The audience consisted of religious representatives from across the island.

Monsignor Panton was ordained a priest in 1963, in his homeland of Belize. He has worked for 17 years in Jamaica. He settled permanently on the island in 1991, when he was appointed Executive Director of the Caribbean Council of Churches (CCC). He is currently the pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Reading, St. James.