Days later the same paper in the print edition only carried the cartoon as done by its resident cartoonist Clovis on December 11, 2013 parodying Tiana Miller transgender spokesperson for the JFLAG We Are Jamaicans Campaign and another member of the homeless MSM in New Kingston:
Here is the article:
Religious leaders have often come out against the lifestyle of homosexuals, also called gays, but one clergyman yesterday defended them, saying he was disappointed that more Christians were not speaking out against the injustices faced by the men, who are often scorned by the society.
"How many Christians have you heard calling out for any kind of help for those young men who have taken refuge in the gully," said Rev Sean Major Campbell, priest at Christ Church, Vineyard Town in St Andrew.
Rev Sean Major-Campbell (right) greets Counsellor of the South African High Commission to Jamaica, Peter Makwarela, after a religious service to mark International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela yesterday at Christ Church, Vineyard Town, St Andrew. (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)
He was speaking about an incident last week in which eight men, who police said were members of the homosexual community, were arrested in connection with a series of robberies in and around the New Kingston area.
"We need to repent as a church as we have too often been agents of negative silence," said the Anglican priest.
The man of the cloth was speaking during Jamaicans for Justice's (JFJ) Church Service to commemorate International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela.
Rev Campbell said that he was aware that some members of the group (homosexuals) may have turned to crime, but said that was an issue for the police to deal with.
"But do they have any humanity on which we share common ground?" the clergyman asked his congregation made up of regular worshippers, Jamaican human rights officials, and visitors from the South African High Commission.
"Who will be the John the Baptist of Jamaica, or will we leave it to civil society to usher in the kingdom of righteousness, peace and justice?" he asked.
The clergyman said that the issues with homosexuals were just part of larger problems that Christians needed to speak out against. He said that it was important for Jamaicans, the Church included, to recognise the human rights of all people, bar none.
"It is a shame that in a country like Jamaica we are more likely to hear the voice of civil society speaking out for human rights while the Church remains quiet until some issues such as horse racing or Lotto comes to the fore," he said.
Rev Campbell said that Christians would do well to hear the advice of Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, who said that the Christians should not be just pulling out people out of the river, but should be going upstream to find out who is pushing people in.
"Has it reached home to us that we are to be agents of justice - a major criterion for an experience of the Kingdom of God?" the pastor asked.
Dr Carolyn Gomes, outgoing JFJ executive director, said that she was encouraged by the call for the human rights of all to be acknowledged.
She was supported by Susan Goffe, chairperson of JFJ.
Goffe said that over time, in many different situations and circumstances, the church had been one of the foremost voices on behalf of the rights of the oppressed and those who are abused, but said that there were others who needed to come on board.
"I think that Father Sean's exaltation to the church to speak loudly and consistently on the issue of human rights is a very timely welcome call," said Goffe.
Church service - 4513
Rev Campbell (right) greets Counsellor of the South African High Commission to Jamaica, Peter Makwarela, after a religious service to mark International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela yesterday at Christ Church, Vineyard Town, St Andrew.
UPDATE May 2014 "How many Christians have you heard calling out for any kind of help for those young men who have taken refuge in the gully," said Rev Sean Major Campbell, priest at Christ Church, Vineyard Town in St Andrew.
He was speaking about an incident last week in which eight men, who police said were members of the homosexual community, were arrested in connection with a series of robberies in and around the New Kingston area.
"We need to repent as a church as we have too often been agents of negative silence," said the Anglican priest.
The man of the cloth was speaking during Jamaicans for Justice's (JFJ) Church Service to commemorate International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela.
Rev Campbell said that he was aware that some members of the group (homosexuals) may have turned to crime, but said that was an issue for the police to deal with.
"But do they have any humanity on which we share common ground?" the clergyman asked his congregation made up of regular worshippers, Jamaican human rights officials, and visitors from the South African High Commission.
"Who will be the John the Baptist of Jamaica, or will we leave it to civil society to usher in the kingdom of righteousness, peace and justice?" he asked.
The clergyman said that the issues with homosexuals were just part of larger problems that Christians needed to speak out against. He said that it was important for Jamaicans, the Church included, to recognise the human rights of all people, bar none.
"It is a shame that in a country like Jamaica we are more likely to hear the voice of civil society speaking out for human rights while the Church remains quiet until some issues such as horse racing or Lotto comes to the fore," he said.
Rev Campbell said that Christians would do well to hear the advice of Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, who said that the Christians should not be just pulling out people out of the river, but should be going upstream to find out who is pushing people in.
"Has it reached home to us that we are to be agents of justice - a major criterion for an experience of the Kingdom of God?" the pastor asked.
Dr Carolyn Gomes, outgoing JFJ executive director, said that she was encouraged by the call for the human rights of all to be acknowledged.
She was supported by Susan Goffe, chairperson of JFJ.
Goffe said that over time, in many different situations and circumstances, the church had been one of the foremost voices on behalf of the rights of the oppressed and those who are abused, but said that there were others who needed to come on board.
"I think that Father Sean's exaltation to the church to speak loudly and consistently on the issue of human rights is a very timely welcome call," said Goffe.
Church service - 4513
Rev Campbell (right) greets Counsellor of the South African High Commission to Jamaica, Peter Makwarela, after a religious service to mark International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela yesterday at Christ Church, Vineyard Town, St Andrew.
ENDS
Why did he and others take this on before it became the hot tamale that everyone sees as a latch on to make themselves look good?
I don't normally side with the cartoonist Clovis but he presents a sensible point via the captioned request by the wig wearing character where when translated to English says: "Pastor we are tired of the Gully now can we seek refuge in your church?" at least Clovis is appealing to the conscience via the toon here and I won't fault him this time as he had done ridiculing the MSM community before.
The million dollar question is will the question posed by responded to by the church overall who with the exemption of some denominations such as the Salvation Army perhaps ignore the homeless generally or only see them really at holiday times as now in Christmas.
here is my audio response on the recently announced Dwayne' House Shelter initiative:
here is my audio response on the recently announced Dwayne' House Shelter initiative:
Peace and tolerance
H
UPDATE December 28 2013Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season
Update 2014
So it would seem to be only PR to look good in the public eye yet no real outreach for the men as they still reside in the gully and no opening up of the very church but I should no be surprized that is how these "uptown" clergy operate and JFLAG's more elitist posture these days actually seem to encourage the divide and rule construct.
also see:
Dwayne's House Shelter Update ..................
UPDATE December 28 2013Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season
Update 2014
So it would seem to be only PR to look good in the public eye yet no real outreach for the men as they still reside in the gully and no opening up of the very church but I should no be surprized that is how these "uptown" clergy operate and JFLAG's more elitist posture these days actually seem to encourage the divide and rule construct.
also see:
Dwayne's House Shelter Update ..................
 |
| meeting with the Member of Parliament for the area where the homeless LGBT youth now "live," Julian Robinson, as well as some concerned clergy - Rev. Sean Major-Campbell(Christchurch Anglican), Rev Astor Carlyle (Webster’s Memorial United), and Rev Margaret Fowler (Hope United). The meeting was called to discuss shelter options for the youngsters |
a supposed turn around or grand public relations to look inclusive?
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