CHRISTIANS IN BARBADOS need to stand up and be counted, a leading Roman Catholic priest proclaimed yesterday.

Reverend Harcourt Blackett made the call during a special memorial service to mark the 31st anniversary of the bombing of a Cubana Airlines flight off Barbados' shores.

"People in Barbados are tired of the lot of long talk. They want action," Blackett told a congregation at the St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. "Everyone in Barbados can quote from the Bible. People are tired of Christians coming around doing just that. It has become boring," he added.

One of the country's most outspoken clerics, Blackett said it was time Christians stopped sacrementalising people, and started evangelising them.

"The Word of God is more than just talk from the Bible. We as Christians must transform, challenge and engage every institution in society. We can't be afraid of offending people when it comes to proclaiming the Word of God, otherwise we are doing a disservice to the Word of God," Blackett said.

The priest noted that now, more than ever, Barbadians need to be evangelised. "If there ever was a time in the history of Barbados for the proclamation of the Word of God, that time is now. Now is the hour."

Saying that Barbadians were oppressed with fear from the recent happenings around them, Blackett urged Christians to renew their efforts in teaching God's Word. "The good news is that proclamation of the Word has a powerful effect on the conscience of man."

Blackett said that to have a powerful effect, proclamation, however, should come from persons who live an authentic Christian life given totally to God and in communion with Jesus Christ.

"The fact that people are tired of the lot of long talk has become a challenge for those who proclaim the Word of God. We live in a world where people are not listening," Blackett warned. "We need to get Barbadians to live a life of commitment and dedication to Jesus Christ.

He said because of that, the Word of God must be proclaimed powerfully, so those who do listen may be transformed.