Catholics backing festival with My Body campaign

As the Crop Over Festival intensifies, the Roman Catholic Church of Barbados is asking revellers not to go over overboard with their feteing.

This comes in connection with the launch of the My Body; Temple of the Holy Spirit; I Celebrate campaign which was came off at the St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral on Friday.

Coordinator Roman Catholic Family Youth Commission Father Clement Paul explained that the campaign was the church’s way of again showing their support for the annual festival.

“In previous years there have been concerns about inappropriate behaviour and exposure during the festival. Be reminded that the human body is a beautiful work of art made in the likeness and image of God. We are therefore calling on revellers and all people in our nation to treat the human body as a sacred gift from God for each person to enjoy and celebrate properly and respectfully, Father Paul said

The event was attended by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Cranston Browne, head of the Bandleaders Association of Masqueraders Chetwin Stuart and Baje International bandleader Richard Haynes among others who supported the cause.

The first phase of the campaign includes a poster designed by visual artist Omowale Stewart and going forward there will also be videos disseminated to target Barbadians.

“It is hoped that this message, if given coverage and support will be embraces by all stakeholders and that every effort will be made by revellers and partygoers to behave in ways that maintain their dignity and uphold decent and respectful behaviour during the festival,” Paul added. (TG)