My son, be attentive to my words, incline your ear to my sayings let them not escape your sight, keep them within your heart, for they are life to him who finds them and healing to all his flesh. – Proverbs 4: 20, 21 and 22
IT GAVE ME a shock that went through my entire body when I heard the Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite state that corporal punishment would be removed from the statute books in Barbados.
I must make it clear very early that I am one for the retention of corporal punishment in our schools and in the home.
The Attorney General is also reported as saying that there will be no hanging during his watch. And the criminals are making a mockery with the many killings in this country.
That statement by the Attorney General will do more harm than good because right now our schoolchildren are very ill-disciplined, and what is going to happen to our society – only God knows?
Especially with the upsurge in crime and violence here in Barbados, those of us in public life, including this writer, have to be very careful with what we say in the public.
Some will argue that there are conventions and that Barbados has signed on to many of them. The question that must be asked is this – what are we gaining or going to gain by signing all of those conventions? Nothing, of course.
The Attorney General and the country are so intent on following international conventions, but when we look at what is happening in the schools in Britain and North America, they cannot teach us anything about discipline or raising children in Barbados and the Caribbean as a whole.
I would hope that our Attorney General would reconsider that decision on corporal punishment because it is about Barbados. That is so clear to all of us Barbadians.
Mr Attorney General, it does not mean because you do not administer corporal punishment to your children that it is not necessary for other parents and the school to do so. Children in our schools are making sport at our teachers – saying that they cannot flog them!
Please think of our schools and what will happen when it is removed.
Advent concert
THE LIMELIGHT CHORALE will hold its annual Advent concert at St Cyprian’s Church on Saturday, December 5, at 6 p.m.
Nine Lessons And Carols
THE BELLE VOCI CANTATI will be performing Nine Lessons And Carols at St Cyprian’s Church on Sunday, December 20, at 6 p.m.
Christmas Novena
THERE WILL BE Christmas Novena observances at St Cyprian’s Church from December 16 to 24 at 7 a.m.
Ordination
REV. REGINALD KNIGHT will be ordained to the Order of Priesthood at St Michael’s Cathedral on Monday, the Feast of St Ambrose. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. Please remember Rev. Knight in your prayers.
Festival Of Lights
THE ST MATTHIAS ANGLICAN CHURCH presents Christmas Is A Feeling – A Festival of Lights, Music And Dance at the church on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Moravian Church Christingle
UNDER THE BATON of Captain Alfred Taylor of the Barbados Defence Force Band and organist Roger Worrell, the Moramus Singers/Moravian Church presents Christingle 2015 on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Bethlehem Moravian Church, Maxwell, Christ Church.
Feast Of Title
ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH’S Feast of Title continues under the theme Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry tonight at 7:30. with a Service of the Word. Youth Group and Sunday School in attendance.
Saturday, 5 p.m. – Healing Service; Community Family Sunday, 8 a.m.: Sung Mass with Te Deum; 12:30 p.m.: annual luncheon – Sunbury Great House, St Philip.
What Child Is This?
THE MYRIAD SINGERS present What Child Is This at the Frank Collymore Hall on Sunday, December 13, at 7 p.m.
Christmas concert
THE WESLEY SINGERS will hold their annual Christmas concert on Thursday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the James Street Methodist Church.
Circuit Notices
THE Advent Carol Service will be held at the James Street Methodist Church on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Anniversary service
ST CHRISTOPHER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH will hold its Mother’s Union Anniversary Service on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Appointments
THE Rev. Kim Welch has assumed duties as the rector of All Souls from December 1.
•Canon Gregston Gooding has assumed duties as Priest-in-Charge of Holy Cross from December 1.
•Canon George Knight has assumed duties as Priest-in-Charge of the Cathedral from December 1.
Luncheon
ST CATHERINE’S CHURCH will be holding a luncheon on Sunday at East Point Grill and Bar, St Philip. Lunch will be served from 12:30 p.m.
