When the Trinity Cross came into existence almost 37 years ago — some seven years after Trinidad and Tobago gained its Independence from Britain — it is unlikely that those who named and designed the award set out to discriminate against non-Christians.

In 1969, the idea of the Trinity Cross did not disturb sensibilities as it does today, or at least people were less vocal about the matter. It may be that in those early years something in the country’s psyche, given its past, made the title of the award seem permissible even in a multi-religious society. This is not the case today.

On May 26, Justice Peter Jamadar handed down his judgment in the case in which the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha had challenged the constitutionality of the Trinity Cross.

He concluded that the creation and continued existence of the award discriminated against Hindus and Muslims. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, bowing to the Court’s ruling, announced in Parliament on June 2 that the name of the country’s highest award would be changed.

The Trinity Cross was created to honour persons who render
“distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago”. The qualities that the award seeks to recognise, therefore, are not the preserve of Christians or non-Christians.

The disappointment that some Christians may feel at the withdrawal of this award is understandable, just as the relief or elation that Hindus and Muslims must now feel has to be appreciated. However, there is little to be gained in citizens taking up the combative postures of victory and loss, and Christians versus non-Christians.

Catholics need not see the removal of the Trinity Cross as a challenge to their faith, or perceive it as a sign of erosion of things Christian here in Trinidad and Tobago.

Deep respect and love of all

The Church will need to continue to be vigilant and to resist any attempt to undermine or whittle away at the expression of its beliefs and teachings. But this issue of replacing the Trinity Cross is not a matter of tolerating what is evil or unjust.

There is no reason for the Government’s decision to be interpreted as a put-down of Christ. If the name of the emblem reeks of any form of injustice then it should be changed.

All citizens must be continually wary of planting seeds of intolerance in the society, seeds which can only grow into intractable vines, choking real life out of the nation.

All who hold positions of authority in our country have a particular responsibility. Nothing that they do should suggest prejudice against any group in the society or lead persons to discriminate against groups who do not share their beliefs.

In this regard, Government’s decision – coming so promptly after the Court made its judgment - is commendable. The issue, as long as it remained unresolved, could only have led to more and more divisiveness and disharmony.

As the Church celebrates the solemn feast of the Most Holy Trinity, it recalls that God - in sending his Spirit among his people - expresses his desire to dwell among them.

But it is also a reminder that the God in whose image each person is created is himself “an eternal exchange of love” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 221), a mystery that calls believers to live with a deep respect and love for all God’s people.