Bishop’s warning to Jamaica church: CEN 4.04.08 p 5. April 4, 2008
Posted by geoconger in Church of England Newspaper, Church of the Province of the West Indies.trackback
Bishop Reid blessing the colours of the Jamaica Regiment
Anglicans cannot continue to act as if it were the church established by law and rely upon the government to take the lead in fostering morality the Bishop of Jamaica, the Rt. Rev and Hon. Alfred Reid told the diocese’s 138th meeting on March 25.
Dr. Reid told the diocese the church was living in “different days” yet acted as if it still enjoyed the patronage of the Crown. “Even now that the Church has lost its power, we don’t feel that we have the ability to persuade people not to gamble, we are depending on the government to legislate. We don’t feel we have the power to preserve life, the government must legislate against abortion.”
The establishment mindset had robbed the church of its missionary zeal, he argued, and had muted its voice in addressing social inequality, crime and corruption. By acting as the “Church of yore” rather than the Church of today, the Church in Jamaica had given over the mantle of social witness to the state—-and the state, he argued, had not been able to fulfill this role. The Church of England in Jamaica was formally disestablished in 1870.
“We must now go back to the real power that was given to the Church, which is the power of God and not secular power” Dr. Reid told the 303 delegates to the synod meeting in Trelawny.
Synod also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Church Army in Jamaica, lauding its missionary and educational achievements and support for the spread of the Gospel in the West Indies.
[...] “We must now go back to the real power that was given to the Church, which is the power of God and… says Bishop Alfred Reid to his synod. He speaks for all of us. Thanks to Rev Canon George Conger. [...]
“By acting as the “Church of yore” rather than the Church of today, the Church in Jamaica had given over the mantle of social witness to the state—-and the state, he argued, had not been able to fulfill this role.”
This is too true. The “church” has not been able to fulfll its role. Just take a look around Jamaica (outside of the rich and wealthy suburbs) and the lack of “church” efficacy is quite clear. 1600+ dead Jamaicans is a failing grade for the Jamaican “church”. The “church” and its false leaders and false prphets)esses) is hurting Jamaica simply becuase the “church” has been overrun by such misguided boys and girls who give themselves titles and do not live up to their calling. They preach a whole lot of none-sense but they do not teach the people anything and thus the church fails. Even Jesus lashed out against the Preists who only acted pious for the show of men instead of being spiritually attuned. The Church will return to Jamaica one fine day…but for now the “church” in Jamaica needs a Revival.