ARCHBISHOP Gabriel Malzaire is speaking out against crime and violence after the island recorded yet another homicide on Monday.
In a statement released yesterday, the Archbishop said the situation must be addressed with urgency.
“Right now we are seeing a lot of hurt and pain around us from families and communities affected by violence, and it is up to us to work toward peace and unity,” he said.
The Archbishop acknowledged that “Saint Lucia is in a tough spot where crime and violence have caused real damage. When we hear about senseless acts of violence every day, it is easy to feel discouraged. But this problem didn’t start overnight. It has been building up from years of ignoring the signs and letting anger and hatred grow.”
“I urge each of you to join me in creating change. And when I speak of violence, I do not only mean physical violence, such as gun violence, but also the subtler forms—violence expressed through words and actions, from all levels of society. I condemn all such destructive acts, whether committed by individuals or institutions,” the Archbishop added.
He called on leaders of the state, public institutions, private enterprises, academia, civil society and the church to act constructively and lead by example.
According to the Archbishop, it is their responsibility to ensure that society adheres to the law but also “to embody integrity and virtue in leadership.”
“Let us strive to be ‘fit and proper’ leaders, acknowledging that where we fail, we must seek atonement. As a nation, we must strengthen our intelligence-gathering mechanisms, but they must be rooted in integrity. Just as Christ drove out the money changers from the temple, we too must eliminate corruption. Our efforts must be grounded in truth, justice, and charity, ensuring that both financial and human resources are wisely directed toward this goal. Let us rebuild with a renewed commitment to these principles,” he said.
The Archbishop revealed that the church will introduce a new programme called ‘Angels of Comfort’ soon “where people from our church will be there to support families affected by violence.”
These individuals will offer comfort and direct people to the help they need, he stated.
“We hope to involve the entire Christian community in this mission because supporting each other is a central part of our faith. We also need leaders in government and the community to act. The Department of Human Services, law enforcement, and our justice system all play important roles in keeping us safe, and they need to be well-resourced, fair, and just. Each of us, from youth to elder, has a role in building a peaceful Saint Lucia,” he noted.
Below are “three steps to start”, as stated by the Archbishop.
“Control your anger – When you are upset, take a breath. Walk away from the situation. Cooler heads lead to better outcomes.
Seek peace – by learning and practicing ways to resolve conflicts without violence. Encourage your friends to do the same.
Be accountable – Take responsibility for your actions, and hold others accountable too, including our leaders. If we can commit to these steps, we can change the future of Saint Lucia. Let’s build our country as a place of peace and fairness, grounded in the values of justice, truth, and love. Together, we can make Saint Lucia a safe and hopeful place for all of us.”
He also stated that “As followers of Jesus, we are called to choose a path of love and respect for each other. We have two choices: to follow the way of Cain, who chose harm, or to follow the way of Christ, who sacrificed His life to show us love. It is a choice we all must make—to live as children of God, treating others with kindness and respect.”
“I want to remind you of a special message from St. John Paul II, who said, ‘Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say.’ No matter how hard things get, we cannot lose hope. This is our Saint Lucia, and we have the power and the responsibility to make it better,” he added.