Baptist lash for PNMArchbishop Burke compares Opposition to abusive husband who did nothing for her faithBy Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Mar 30, 2015 at 9:36 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 31, 2015 at 9:37 AM ECT
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/baptist-lash-FOR-PNM-298082441.htmlComparing the People’s National Movement (PNM) to an abusive husband, Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burke yesterday urged members of the Spiritual Baptist faith to vote for the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led People’s Partnership and embrace the love shown to them by the Prime Minister.
Gray-Burke, who is sometimes appointed by Government to act as a temporary senator, was speaking at Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day holiday celebrations at the Empowerment Hall, Maloney.
The pulpit seemed transformed into a political platform, with Burke telling fellow Baptists the PNM, since the days of Dr Eric Williams, never gave the Baptist faith anything.
She heaped praise on former prime minister Basdeo Panday who, under a United National Congress (UNC) government, gave the Baptists the land to build their school.
She noted it was Persad-Bissessar who, as former education minister, turned the sod at the site and the Baptists had to wait until she became Prime Minister of this country for the promise of the school to be made a reality.
She said the PNM never built the school although a million dollars was left by the former UNC government for the school’s construction.
“If we have a husband and we are in an abusive situation, when he work, he gone to the rum shop, drink his rum, he come and he beat me and beat the children, licks like peas, won’t you not get out of that abusive situation?” asked Gray-Burke as the crowd shouted, “Yes!”.
“What have they done for us? Would we go back to that abusive situation?” asked Gray-Burke.
“I’m calling on you all to be grateful...grateful to the UNC Partnership,” she continued.
Gray-Burke said Persad-Bissessar has shown nothing but love to the Baptist people and will do more.
“We have a mother here, a grandmother here, which is our Prime Minister, which can do all of this.
Will you like to be placed in those dark days again?” she asked.
She said the PNM has not been a friend to the Baptists. “Just under the PNM in 2003, one Aaron from Arima was arrested...he was arrested so don’t figure you all clear, the holiday give us some clout but I want to tell you all, please, study what you doing,” she said.
Gray-Burke said in 1956 when Dr Eric Williams came into power, he lasted there for all the years and he never acknowledged the Baptists.
She said when the Baptists marked 25 years, they marched from Calvary Hill to Woodfrod Square, and then Williams promised a holiday which he and the PNM never gave.
She said she knows there were Baptists who have the PNM in their hearts, but she urged them to “love with sense”.
“My Prime Minister has shown love to us,” said Gray-Burke, disclosing last Thursday, Persad-Bissessar announced the Baptists will be on the table of presidents—which meant every event that happens, the Baptists must be invited.
Gray-Burke said she has always had a “slot” so when visiting dignitaries came to this country such as Winnie Mandela, she was able to greet them.
She said no other Baptist can go to these events but now, the Baptists have their own slot.
Gray-Burke further urged the congregation to “not be fooled by all those radio programmes...hold fast for what we have; we have a mother, a grandmother, somebody who is warm, somebody who is loving, who is able and she will chart our way,” said Gray-Burke, adding the Prime Minister will deliver the secondary school and trade school to the Baptists.
“I want to tell you all, love this lady. Don’t study what no media say,” said Gray-Burke.