DEAR EDITOR : The second session of the Synod (Synod II) passed, for the most part, smoothly and without controversy. There are, however, two issues I would like to comment on:

Firstly, Resolution #20 – “ Be it resolved that….the Archdiocese establish a policy on Dress Code and Conduct in our churches and at public Church events”.

While I understand that Fr Urban Hudlin does not want to be seen as overstepping his authority in establishing such a code, I do not think that that resolution should be removed from the purview of the Archdiocesan Commission for Evangelization.

An important aspect of evangelization is the example we show to others, and if we cannot dress and conduct ourselves properly in church and at church events, then we cannot be expected to do so otherwise, and we will turn off a lot of people.

This resolution fits neatly under the heading “Evangelization” and while I do not expect Fr Hudlin to establish a Code of Dress and Conduct himself, I see no reason why the Commission cannot stimulate discussion that would lead to the drafting of such a code. This code could then be submitted to the Archbishop for approval.

Secondly, I am sorely disappointed by the defeat of the proposal to amend supplemental resolution 1c to have Vicariate Councils meet to consider the reports from Parish Synods within a set time frame. As it now stands, the parishes have one year to submit their reports, but the Vicariates have unlimited time to meet to consider these reports.

Human nature being what it is, I foresee a mad scramble in three years time to get things in place for the third session of the Synod. We should have heeded Mrs Allen's suggestion to set a time frame in order to keep up the momentum.

While it may have not been put forward as a resolution, I appeal to all parishes and Vicariates to set reasonable deadlines for themselves and “strike the iron while it is hot”.

DEAR EDITOR: Shame, shame and more shame on you Angostura for your lamp-post banner ads for Fernandes Black Label Rum! Yours is an old and prestigious legacy with your flagship product, Angostura Bitters carrying the Royal Seal and enjoying international recognition, fame and fortune for its uniqueness.

To sell rum at carnival time (like sending coals to Newcastle !) you now have to resort to flying “naked” women from lamp-posts?

Shame on you…and on you too Mr Mayor for giving them permission to so disgrace your capital city.

Come on Angostura, take down those offensive banners (your other ones are beautiful) and continue to earn the highest respect of us all.

If not for us, do it for the children!!

Susan Dore, Port of Spain

THE EDITOR: Okay, it's Carnival again and we are still not understanding the tremendous force for good or evil it is. It is unfortunate, that over the years when we see the negatives, instead of addressing and remedying these, we excuse and leave them there to snowball.

Long, long ago, the negative fallout of Carnival was drunkenness. But then it was mostly men involved in Carnival and nobody bothered – they were “freeing up”. Right? Drunkenness was tolerated and the prostitutes made a “good” living then.

Then women started to “play mas” and soon after came the sexual revolution of the 70s, and the negative reports changed to unwanted pregnancies - all those Carnival babies born in November! But what to do? Carnival is a time for us to relieve our stress – without it we would all become insane. Right?

Move on to the new millennium and Carnival is reduced to creative nudity and a host of STDs ravaging our nation and what do we have? – “A panel discussion on HIV/AIDS among the nation's youths at San Fernando City Corporation's auditorium ... to coincide with the Carnival season, a time when there is a high incidence of sexual promiscuity.”

Yet, even as they speak the answer is clear, for what the speakers reveal is that:

1. “While many children came from incestuous homes, others were experimenting and imitating whatever they saw on television” (Dr Ricardo Mohammed, HIV/AIDS Specialist, San Fernando General Hospital )

2. “It was hard to compete with large companies promoting sex, smoking and alcohol.” (Emmanuel Senah, Curriculum Co-ordinator, Ministry of Education)

In spite of this, all around the Savannah and along all our main roads we are bombarded with rum and beer advertisements, and local television advertisements are filled with gyrating human flesh and alcohol.

It took Kees Dieffenthaller, representing the soca fraternity, to offer valuable, affirmative direction, calling on the artistes to take a closer look at how they portrayed themselves and what they sang during the Carnival season asserting: “Lines have been crossed”.

Then, calling on the youths at the forum to abstain from sex, he said:

“Sex is something sacred, special and God-given. This disease could kill you.”

What he said should replace the alcohol posters, banners and TV advertisements, or as in the case of George Bovell II, these companies should be made to spend, dollar for dollar, in advertising for sobriety and abstinence.

The TV stations too, since they profit from such advertising, should give free time to promoting this message.

Kees Dieffenthaller is surely in good company, for in a press release today ( Jan 24, ‘05 ), Pope John Paul II affirmed that to “combat this sickness (AIDS) in a responsible way” it is necessary “to promote prevention, in particular through respect for the sacred value of life and formation in the correct experience of sexuality, which implies chastity and faithfulness.”

Thank you Kees, you have affirmed my faith in the young people of Trinidad and Tobago .

Maria Annette Dopwell, Port of Spain