DEAR EDITOR: I am at a loss to understand the fuss being made by Mr Sat Maharaj, allegedly on behalf of the Hindu community, over the Trinity as in “Trinity Cross”.

Is it that Mr Maharaj repudiates Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the acknowledged Trinity of the Hindus? Does he say that that belief is false, or without merit? If this trio is integral to the Hindu religion, then why decry the word Trinity in the Trinity Cross? The name “Trinity” in the award also has meaningful significance for the Hindus.

Its significance need not be limited to Christians. I can understand and do accept his problem with “Cross” as a distinctly Christian symbol. But “Trinity” is not exclusively Christian. Maybe Mr Maharaj would be willing to accept a “Trinity Medal” for his work in Religion.

I might further add that the second member of the Hindu Trinity was incarnated in Lord Krishna, even as the second person of the Christian Blessed Trinity was incarnated in Jesus Christ, and in the respective religions there is analogy between Lord Krishna and Jesus Christ, even though one is distinctly Hindu in concept and the other Christian.

Rather than find reasons for promoting divisions between the religions in our multi-religious society, in many ways the envy of the world, would Mr Maharaj not be better occupied in finding and high-lighting what can draw them together – such as the concept of Trinity in the Godhead?

The Muslims, on the other hand, can have a legitimate problem with both Trinity and Cross. But they have voiced no complaint. Maybe they recognise, and accept, the historical link between the island discovered by Columbus some 500 years ago and the Christian traditions it inherited since then. That tradition was here before either the Hindus or the Muslims. Together we aspire, together we achieve.
Fr Gerard E Farfan, AEC Secretariat, Gray St, Port of Spain

DEAR EDITOR: I stand corrected, but I think that Archbishop Gilbert recently stated that we know when we are in a Muslim or Hindu school, but that distinguishing mark is not obvious in Catholic schools. In my opinion this extends to attendance in mosques and mandirs (temples).

Everyone, both male and female are dressed for attendance in these holy places, quite unlike what obtains in some Christian churches. Some women mistake the church for beach by what they wear.

I recently attended a wedding in which the bride was almost topless. After the signing of the registry, the officiating priest left the sanctuary. The organist started the wedding march and it was left to the groomsman to go in search of the priest who had left. The groomsman then indicated to the bride and groom to walk down the aisle.

We commend priests who ask the groom to put his jacket to cover the bride or others who have performed the marriage rites and left. We hope that one day soon, His Grace would issue directives to all marriage officers to take appropriate action in these matters.
C Joseph, Westmoorings.

DEAR EDITOR: On Friday, July 7, I was on my way to visit the aged at St Peter’s Home, when as I was crossing St John’s Road, I stumbled and fell in the middle of that busy main road.

I want first to thank Jesus and Mary for saving my life there was no vehicle near enough to knock me down. Thanks to the guy who sells bananas at that corner who lifted me up bodily. I did not get discouraged.

Another gentleman who asked me where I was going took me to St Peter’s where I explained to the very pleasant manager Charlotte Julien what had happened. Thanks to Fr Joyeau who anointed me and prayed for my safe return home.

The goodly gentleman whose name is Larry Benjamin of St John’s Road waited and dropped me to Arima where I had parked my car. As I arrived home I called my sister-in-law Sandra, a nurse, who immediately came and attended to the wounds.

Thanks too to Kathy Alfonso, my helper who has been a blessing to me since I became a widow two and a half months ago. She insisted that I take a sauna.

May God bless all of you good Samaritans. We do have wonderful people in our society. Blessings and God’s light be upon you all.
Cassilda Bart, Arima

DEAR EDITOR: I would like to send out congratulations and God’s richest blessings to my daughter Keisha Baptiste.

She recently graduated with honours from Fairleigh Dickerson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Keisha also received the highest honor “The Pinnacle Award”. I would like to thank God for this blessing, and pray that she continue to shine as God allows her to.

To her teachers of Mon Repos RC, San Fernando, Gasparillo Composite and Holy Faith Convent, Couva. I say “Thank You”.
Merle Baptiste, Couva