DEAR EDITOR: Some have written in dire respect of their own belief that the Trinity Cross is offensive to their own religion.

That the cross is a religious symbol that relates to one group of people. And since our society is multi-ethnic and secular in composition, a national award should be neutrally embracive to all peoples.

Others have protested vehemently giving reasons for a grave injustice and elaborated on the absurdity of its removal.

Still others have proposed symbols of a parallel nature that may appease the querulous appeals and emotions of the more sensitive.

One well-known pastor lambasted the Prime Minister for his support and commented that he was hasty in a contemptuous act of sacrilege by his authoritative command in giving way to one group of people, which was unjustifiably harmful.

For the Christian, the cross is symbolic of the blood and supreme sacrifice of the Son of God who has triumphed over evil, sin and chaotic abomination.

The cross is the absolute item of symbolic relevance to God the Saviour, and it bears cohesive affiliation to the body and blood of Christ made tangible in the form of bread and wine dispensed for the salvation of souls.

Christ had suffered and died on the cross. The belief is absolute, that the Son of God “was truly born of a virgin, and was baptised by John and was truly under Pontus Pilate and Herod the Tetrarch, nailed to the cross for us in His flesh.”

Yet one must believe and uphold the principles of the right to freedom of religion, which are the basic premises for human existence. Whether worship is conducted in a church, assembly hall, mosque, temple, cootiah, pen, shed or tent or under the open sky, we must observe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of religion, including the freedom to change his or her belief.”

It is known that individuals and family groups are discriminated and marginalised because of religious beliefs.

Pope John Paul had said, “The world has yet to learn how to live with diversity as events throughout the world have painfully reminded us. 

“Many religious traditions who believe in one God, the only God who is all Justice and Mercy must profess a belief in the importance of prayer, of fasting, of almsgiving, of repentance and pardon.”      

According to Archbishop Renato Martino, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations- “Religious tolerance is based on the conviction that God wishes to be adored by people who are free. This is a conviction which requires us to respect and honour that inner sanctuary called the conscience, wherein each person meets God.”

To Christians who are represented by a large section of the people lies the importance of the cross. They can see Jesus is “the luminous darkness of faith.”

And somewhere it is stated there is a sense of the cross, “Ubi Crux ibi Christus” – where the cross is there is Christ. 
Willi Chen, San Fernando

DEAR EDITOR: Readers of your front page article headed “Church must fight corruption” may be wondering what they, as members of the Church, can do here in Trinidad and Tobago.

If they are also business people then one thing they can do is to take part in a workshop  “Risk Management Strategies for Countering Bribery” that will be held September 28.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) are joining forces to introduce executives and managers to the “Business Principles for Countering Bribery”, a tool developed by Transparency International (TI) in cooperation with leading international companies, academics, trade unions and other non-governmental bodies. It assists enterprises to develop effective approaches to strengthening integrity in all of their activities.

More and more, companies must take account of increasingly stringent domestic and international regulatory frameworks. Company executives also need to be more aware of what constitutes bribery particularly in the light of recent scandals and court actions. Moreover the public is expecting greater accountability and probity from the corporate sector.

This workshop, to be held at the Chamber Building, Westmoorings, will help business leaders understand better international integrity requirements.

It will introduce them to developing a practical programme that will guide their employees in their daily transactions with other private sector companies and public officials.

The more widespread the adoption of these Business Principles, the more we create a level playing field in which to conduct business, provide a long term business advantage and create a culture of integrity. To register call Veronica at 637-6966 ext 228.
G Boyd Reid, secretary, Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute

DEAR EDITOR: I wish to extend a happy Feast of Corpus to the editor, management and staff of the Catholic News. Greetings also to all readers.
“Trinidad and Tobago has been written off as a football team more times than the Mexican National Debt.” These words made me reflect on the Magnificat – “He looks on his servant in her nothingness.”

Thanks to the Trinity
Ever present unity,
Zero, zero, what a draw!
When Soca Warriors and Sweden were at war.

Mary’s Memorare and Rosary beads
Won the “race” as St Paul pleads.
With confidence that God would hear my call
What victory after all!

As singing is dear to my heart I have composed a “sing-a-long” to the tune of Que Sera, Sera:
As I watched the World Cup game
I asked Holy Spirit
Win, lose or draw
Will we beat Sweden
Out in Dortmund?
Here’s what the spirit said:
Que sera, sera…

Sr Alphonsa Morris O Carm, Port of Spain