At Masses celebrated on December 8 & 9 2007 at the Church of the Assumption, Maraval, the Parish Priest Fr Garfield Rochard, informed the congregation that two men were shot to death on Saturday, December 1, a short distance from the church.

A man who claimed to have witnessed the incident and who frequents the church compound approached the parish priest and a member of the SVP and expressed concern that his life might be in danger.

The parish priest stated that he immediately discussed the man’s problem with the SVP and the Parish Social Justice Committee.

They concluded that the man was not only at risk, but that risk overshadowed parishioners as they walked on the church compound to and from church services as it was quite possible that criminals in their endeavour to silence the witness could injure or kill parishioners by way of collateral damage.

The parish priest advised that
1. Parishioners should refrain from giving him charity on the church compound.
2. Parishioners were perfectly free to give him charity should do so through the SVP who will provide him same off the compound.
3. He was advised to stay out of sight in the interest of his and our safety.

In light of comments that emanated from newspaper reports and radio talk shows, the Parish Social Justice committee considers it necessary to clarify the situation.
1. The said individual is not a “parishioner” of our parish, or a member of any parish group.
2. He does not worship at the church, although continuous invitations have been made in the past.
3. He has been around the church compound for over twenty years seeking financial assistance.
4. The Parish Men’s Group has offered tangible help for many years.
5. He receives regular assistance from the Parish SVP.

The parish priest and the parish have evinced care, patience and tolerance with all who come for assistance even though half of them are not members of our parish.

However, prevailing circumstances now dictate that we take firm stand in view of the wanton violence that bedevils our country.

We are fully cognizant of our social and Christian responsibilities, and while we make every effort to assist our brethren in Christ’s name, we cannot lose sight of our overarching responsibility to the parish as an integral body.

The Parish Communications Committee
Assumption Parish
Long Circular Road, Maraval.