To live in a society marked by fear and distrust is intolerable.

The shooting deaths last week of WPC Elizabeth Sutherland, her husband, a daughter and a family friend have caused great consternation at all levels of the Trinidad and Tobago society.

The ruthless manner in which the slayings were carried out is one of the reasons for the anxiety.  Everyone who happened to be at home was slaughtered, except for a five-year-old child who apparently, in the mayhem, was able to run away and hide from the killer or killers.

But the tragedy also directs a severe attack on the freedom and trust that is at the bedrock of any society. In last Sunday’s editorial we referred to a recent poll which indicated that 94 per cent of the population had little confidence in the criminal justice system and that only 23 per cent would be willing to give evidence in a case of kidnapping.

 If the reports are correct – that these family members were gunned down because the policewoman gave evidence in a court matter – then these slayings can push fear and mistrust to a new level.

The tragedy has also prompted some to offer once again facile solutions to the problem of crime, as if it can be solved instantly and by a single remedy. Not surprisingly, some have quickly renewed their call for the application of the death penalty.

Others speak in ominous-sounding tones of “zero tolerance” as if to suggest that Peter must pay for Paul and that it is just bad luck if Peter finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Revenge could hardly be the answer to our present predicament. It is pointless to attempt to fight evil with evil.

These murders at Morvant, coming so soon after the execution of local government representative Bert Allette and the murder of a woman believed to be a police informant who allegedly raised suspicion because she was seen speaking with police officers must move our society to a recognition that a concerted effort by all citizens and groups is necessary if the country is to move away from the precipitous edge on which it finds itself.

We must all come to see that what we do or do not do as citizens has moral consequences.

Honest self-assessment

In a world as inter-connected as ours, this awareness or lack of awareness has far-reaching implications. The present situation calls for honest self-assessment. If we fail to treat with seriousness our responsibilities in every sphere of society, we open the door to undesirable behaviour.

Each citizen must ask: “Do I have the courage to do what is right, honest and just?” “Do I love my country enough to go further and make the necessary self-sacrifices that the present situation requires?”

It is clear that if many in the society were not already making these kinds of sacrifices our situation would be worse. But the current circumstances demands contributions from all members of our society.

It would be unfortunate if last week’s tragedy was to cause citizens to back away from doing what is right for the good of the society, if they chose to slip further into the background – into making do with what causes the least bit of conflict or pain.

To respond with truthfulness and self-sacrifice is the only proper way for true followers of Christ to engage in the mission to which we have been called. Jesus, in this Sunday’s Gospel, draws a violent reaction because he is intent on expressing what is true.

St Paul, in a situation of conflict as well, speaks to the people of Corinth in today’s second reading. It is in that situation that he utters the celebrated words about love.  “Love,” he says, “takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes” (1 Corinthians 13: 6, 7).

It is the one gift that even in the present state of affairs we cannot do without.