Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Victims of crime wept. So, too, did persons who sympathised with these victims of crime. The occasion was a church service to inspire reconciliation and healing for those who have suffered because of serious crimes.

Several victims and non-victims of heinous crimes wept uncontrollably, showing signs ranging from acrimony to an earnest desire to forgive those who had caused their pain.

In a show of solidarity and willingness, they stood at the request of Pastor Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (WJCSDA) at the first in a series of a 21-day reconci-liation service of the International Conference on Restorative Justice, held at the WJCSDA Centre in Montego Bay last Saturday.

The service will be repeated across the island during a 21-day period. The service seeks to facilitate a healing of hurts and to inspire the establishment of restorative schemes in Jamaica. Last Saturday's ceremony saw a wide range of persons in attendance, including represen-tatives from Northern Caribbean University (NCU), the Ministry of Justice, and the clergy.

A defining moment

Many regard last Saturday's function as a defining moment for the victims of crime who exuded a willingness to play their role in facilitating healing of emotional wounds as restorative justice is promoted.

Most of those who said they were victims of a crime acknowledged that they had lost a family member or close friend because of gunmen.

Pastor Samuels reminded the gathering that problems could not be solved without the help of God, adding that one person could start the process to make a positive change in "repairing the breach".

Basing his sermon on 'Repairing the Breach', pastor Samuels challenged Christians and non-Christians to unite and pray, asking God to repair the breach.

Action needed now

Referring specifically to the soaring crime problems facing the nation, he said: "Legislations need to be enforced to drastically curb the scourge of crime. The longer we take to repair the breach, the more blood will flow in this country. We cannot hide behind the curtains of social respectability while feeding on crime."

The series of reconciliation services is the brainchild of the NCU and was developed in conjunction with the Dispute Resolution Foundation and the Ministries of National Security and Justice.

The St. Gabriel Anglican Church in May Pen, Clarendon, hosted the service yesterday. Next Saturday, January 27, the Port Antonio SDA Church in Portland will host the next healing service.

The final ecumenical service will be the National Atonement Service to be held at the Portmore SDA on Saturday, February 3.