“We are better than that’ – Bahamas Christian Council laments PM’s Haiti remarks” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis’ recent suggestion that his government is not considering lending aid to Haiti after it was hit by a devastating earthquake is unfortunate, Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) President Bishop Delton Fernander said yesterday.

Fernander, who was called for comment, said Minnis should remember that ‘we are better that that.”

We heard the remarks of the prime minister but we are minded that we are one Caribbean community.” Fernander said.

‘Just as last year we were able to do for one of our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean, we should have the same mindset in making The Bahamas a better place, with the charity which makes us all one should always flow towards the least amongst us.

‘So, as a people, we must rise up and as a church do the very best we can to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”

First of all I wonder why was the president of the Bahamas Christian Council even contacted for comment in the first place and I then find the following statement a very interesting one as it relates to this matter, “So, as a people, we must rise up and as a church do the best we can…” I will address this later.

I wonder what did the prime minister actually do or say to deserve just condemnation from the head of the church itself.

“Bahamas First – Minnis suggests no plan to send aid to Haiti” The Guardian October 9^th 2018

Excerpt from this article; “The government is not now considering giving aid to Haiti following an earthquake, which left at least a dozen dead and around 200 injured, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis suggested yesterday, stating that his focus is on putting Bahamians first.

When asked if he intended to give aid to Haiti similar to the help offered to Dominica after Hurricane Maria last year, Minnis told reporters outside Government House, ‘At this point in time, I am looking at moving The Bahamas forward; Bahamas first.”

So we have gone from the prime minister saying that “At this point in time, I am looking to moving The Bahamas Forward; Bahamas first” to “Minnis suggests no plan to send aid to Haiti”, this is simply amazing the manner in which persons manipulate words to give off the wrong impression and the manner in which some people seem to buy into it, as there is no indication that there is no intention in the future to assist the nation of Haiti.

So now we go back to the lamentations of the president of the Bahamas Christian Council, Delton Fernander; as he made the statement; “So as a people we must rise up and as a church do the very best we can to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti”, when contacted for comment by the press and I am sure that they have asked what THE CHURCH will be doing to aid “our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”  I am sure that the churches offerings for the next few weeks will be donated to aid the country of Haiti.

The prime minister has said “At this point in time, I am looking at moving The Bahamas forward and has been labeled “insensitive” for this remark all based on what others claim that they believe is being suggested.  I am sure that most Bahamians will stand with the prime minister as he says “Bahamas first”, and will hold him to his word.  As for the Bahamas Christian Council and its lamentations, I say you all begin the effort and I assure that many will be too happy to assist you in your efforts and remember that it is said that charity begins at home and ends aboard.”

In closing, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the people of the nation of Haiti and to anyone in the Haitian community that lost a loved one or friend.

END