BishopAccountability.org

Church committed to good family values, says bishop

By Kimberley Hibbert
Jamaica Observer
January 09, 2017

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Church-committed-to-good-family-values--says-bishop_85986

Members of the Mounted Troop Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force deliver a rendition of Kathy Troccoli’s Go Light Your World.
Photo by Michael Gordon

A local pastor yesterday reaffirmed the church’s stance on morality and good family values, declaring that each member of society must live up to what’s expected of them, especially clergymen.

According to Bishop Couvator Holdsworth, God’s moral code for an orderly and wholesome society is rooted in the scriptures.

“God’s principle speaks to the responsible parenthood. Ephesians 6 speaks to the need for children to be obedient and to show respect for the elderly and those that are less fortunate, the poor, and the needy,” he said.

“God’s principles speak to an orderly society... there was a time in our land that our leaders were respected; our pastors, teachers, nurses were honourable people in our society. We can bring back those glory days by each one of us today making a commitment to not only talk the talk, but walk the talk; practise what we preach,” Bishop Couvator Holdsworth said in his message at Greater Grace Temple Worship Centre on Deanery Road in Kingston, where cops assigned to the Non-Geographic Formations Number Two (Mobile Reserve, Motorised Patrol Division, Traffic and Highway Patrol, Mounted Troop Division and Canine Division) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force gathered for their New Year’s service under the theme ‘Save the Police Family...Secure the Nation’s Future’.

When the Jamaica Observer spoke to Holdsworth following the service, he said in light of the recent charges of carnal abuse and rape laid against Manchester pastor Rupert Clarke, it is time for saints to set their lives straight.

He added that, while a few of his colleagues have come out begging for mercy for Clarke, he hopes that they are uniting around the girl who Clarke is alleged to have abused.

Holdsworth made a public appeal to the National Security Minister Robert Montague and the Acting Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant to engage the Church in a partnership for security campaign.

He said this would include, among other things, the restoration of good family values such as responsible parenthood, respect for law and order, and respect for the sanctity of life.

“The Lord must build the police force’s house or else your efforts to fight crime will be in vain. The force will not be successful simply by adding more to their numbers or adding more equipment. The force needs godly leadership and loving relationships to build trust and confidence within its ranks for success. So smart leaders not only include God in their strategy, but they place Him at centre, because only God can provide leaders with security,” Holdsworth pointed out.

“If Jamaica is to be saved from the scourge of murder, then valiant efforts by our security forces must be combined with godly principles in order to bring stability to our nation. Let us not be daunted by the murder figures. There is hope. A brighter day is coming,” he said.

“As someone said, ‘There is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed with what is right with Jamaica.’ Our focus as a church in 2017 is to help in the restoration of stable families. With God’s help we shall overcome, with each one playing our part. Jamaica will, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play its part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race,” he said.

The police in attendance were also greeted by Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake, who invited the public to work with the constabulary to maintain safety in their communities.

Mayor of Kingston Senator Delroy Williams, while stating that he is a strong believer in the Christian world view, said the nation cannot be prosperous or successful without God.

He said that through prayer Kingston will become the Pearl of the Antilles.

Contact: hibbertk@jamaicaobserver.com




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