Last weekend the diocese of Kingstown, St Vincent observed the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese and the Episcopal ordination of Bishop Robert Rivas with a Diocesan Assembly. As he begins his 18th year as that diocese’s chief pastor Bishop Rivas is very concerned by the increasing violence, particularly among the youth, in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He used his New Year’s message to speak to this concern.

Building a culture of peace

Bishop Robert Rivas

Pope Benedict XVI, in his New Year Message for the World Day of Peace 2007, the theme of which is: The Human Person, the Heart of Peace, has expressed his concern for children whose future is compromised by exploitation and the malice of unscrupulous adults.

The sufferings of children compel us to work for justice and peace. “I am convinced”, the Pope says, “respect for the person promotes peace and that, in building peace, the foundations are laid for an authentic integral humanism.  In this way a serene future is prepared for coming generations”(The Pope’s Message #1).

Violence in schools – our response

How are we working for peace in St Vincent and the Grenadines? How can we ensure that a serene future is prepared for coming generations?

The manifestation of violence in our schools has become a serious matter of concern to the Ministry of Education, the National Committee on Crime Prevention – of which I am the deputy chairperson – the Churches and our schools.

 The question I would like to ask our nation at the very beginning of this year is: What example are we, the adults of our nation, giving to our children? Violence is never to be encouraged in any form. Violence inflicts hurt on others. Violence is part of the culture of death which does not build peace. 

PARENTS

What example are you giving to your children in respect to building a culture of peace in the home and in society? Love begins at home. If a child learns love at home that child will share love outside the home.

If a child learns violence at home that child will act violently away from home. How do you teach your children to deal with conflict and aggression?

How do you teach your children to respect authority? How do you teach your children to respect their teachers and private property? How do you teach your children to respect themselves and to respect others?

The first place and the best place for being trained in respect, honesty, integrity, truth and love for neighbour is in the home. The family is the cradle for nurturing virtue, respect and uprightness in the children of our nation. In many ways the school and the nation have what the family gives.

Parental responsibility in communicating wholesome, Christian values, love for God and neighbour and respect for others is vital for the future of society and critical for ensuring a serene future for coming generations.

Parenting is a big responsibility. Parents, you don’t have to cover up for your children. There is help available today which can empower you to be great parents. Don’t be defeated or live in denial. Rise to the challenge of good parenting for the future of your children and the future of society. 

In the interest and welfare of their children, parents need to be vigilant and constantly alert. The values and good habits that are taught in the home need to be reinforced in society. Parents need to make their voices heard much more clearly in matters of morality and the behaviour of those who have an influence on their children.

Adults in our society need to play a greater mentoring role in the lives of the children of our nation respecting their innocence and vulnerability. The rapid changes in our society are undermining all our traditional values and are making parenting a very challenging responsibility.   

During the week I noticed a van around town with a big sign painted on its side: NO CONDOM, NO SEX. On entering Kingstown near Frenches there’s a bill board with a sign promoting ABSTINENCE as the only 100% safe sex. Which is true? Aren’t we confusing our children?

How do we communicate morality to our children? What confused me was that in that “Condom van” there was a Rosary dangling from the rearview mirror. The Rosary is a tool used for prayer. Catholic Christians and other Christians pray the Rosary for the promotion of and respect for life.

The condom is a death choice. It’s anti life. This obviously is a bad example for our children. In fact it’s a double standard! People of life do not promote condoms.  

LEADERS

I ask you the same question – What example are you giving to the children of our nation in regard to building a culture of peace in our society? Leadership is a call to serve. The leader is a servant of his people.

This applies to all leaders, civil and religious. As a nation we look up to our civil leaders and expect from them good example, respect and high standards of integrity, justice and honesty.

When our Holy Father says that “respect for the person promotes peace” he has given us a principle on which to build a culture of peace. Why, therefore, is there an outcry in our society today against those in authority and leadership regarding their attitude in dealing with people? How could a society promote peace without respect for the person?

I have been listening to the hurting voices and the concerned voices of many of our citizens and I believe that it is time to stop the hostility and aggression that is dividing our nation. Hostility does not promote peace. RESPECT FOR THE PERSON PROMOTES PEACE. 

Our leaders are also men and women with families. Our leaders, therefore, also have to lead in the home. Because our leaders want what is best for their families then they must also do what is best for the nation and give the best example to our nation’s children.

Example is the best teacher. Bad behaviour in leadership leads to disrespect for authority and leaders. This becomes an obstacle to building peace in society and confidence in our leaders. Our leaders must ensure that by their words and actions “a serene future is prepared for coming generations”. 

A call to all to be involved

If we want to eliminate violence in our schools every citizen in our nation must become involved. If it takes a village to bring up a child then it takes a nation to educate a child.

Everyone has a part to play: the limers on the block, the street cleaners, the school cleaners, the van drivers, the clients in the rum shop or bars, the store clerk, the people in business, professionals, social clubs, Churches and church members and the police.

 The schools too must set high standards and all those who teach and work in our nation’s schools must be good role models for our children.

Children too must also have good self-esteem and be proud of their school and the uniform that they wear. There is work to be done. There is still time to win for our children. 

As a Christian community let us all be committed to “tireless peace-making and strenuous defence of the dignity of the human person and his inalienable rights…In Christ we can find the ultimate reason for becoming staunch champions of human dignity and courageous builders of peace” (Pope’s Message #16).  May our Blessed Mother, Mary, a great champion of life and human dignity, help us in our task.

At the beginning of this New Year let us approach the task of building a culture of peace in our schools from a united front. United we stand. Divided we fall!