By Erica James-King, Senior Staff Reporter 
Prime Minister PJ Patterson (centre) is captured lifting his hand in prayer at a church service in Montego Bay this past Sunday. He is flanked by Speaker of the House of Representatives Violet Neilson (left) and Montego Bay's Mayor, Councillor Hugh Solomon. - Photo By Richard Gordon
WESTERN BUREAU:
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson came under fire from a section of the Montego Bay clergy, when he attended church in the western city on Sunday. He was criticised for some of the policies of his administration, which the clergy feels have impacted negatively on the lives of Jamaicans.
Labelling some policies as "double standard", Rev. Paul Gallimore, the Pastor of the Kings Chapel United Pentecostal Church, located on Albion Road, questioned why visitors to the island are receiving special treatment while the needs of locals are being neglected.
In his sermon at the service, which was a special service held under the auspices of the People's National Party (PNP) Women's Movement; Pastor Gallimore took the Prime Minister to task on several social issues, which he said was having a negative impact on the nation. Imploring the Prime Minister to remedy some of the attitudes among those in authority, Pastor Gallimore said, "I want to speak to the Prime Minister, it's not very often I get to do so... I am asking the Prime Minister to raise the level of respect we have for our Jamaican people."
"When the Queen was coming, they went ahead and fixed the potholes, I'm glad they did but I'd like to speak emphatically that it sent a message... that we only take care of our own when others are coming in," said Pastor Gallimore. "I'd like us to feel that the places are being fixed because we are here and you respect us enough, to be able to say fix it up for us Jamaicans... Take care of our own."
In addressing the congregation, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson spoke out against violence, denouncing all forms of this scourge. He said that his administration would not be tolerating the upward trend in conflicts.
"Violence cannot be eliminated from the society if we allow to continue the kind of behaviour now being seen all too frequently in our schools," said Prime Minister, who called on both parents and teachers to play their part in curbing indiscipline in schools. "I have said and I say again, guns, knives, machetes, ice picks and acid have no place in schools."
In looking at ways to prevent violence against women, the Prime Minister said one way to prevent it was to provide economic empowerment for our women. He said the employment of women is becoming increasingly a special focus area of the Government's efforts.
In addition to the regular church congregation and members of the PNP Women's Movement, Montego Bay's Mayor, Councillor Hugh Solomon and several PNP Members of Parliament, Parish Councillors and Constituency Caretakers also attended the service. Before the service came to an end, Pastor Gallimore invited the Mr. Patterson and his entourage to come to the altar for prayer, where he laid hands on them and anointed them with oil.
