More Condolence Messages in Aftermath of Cathedral Tragedy

Contact: Rose Marie Harris

Monday, January 08, 2001 – The Caribbean Community Secretariat has joined in expressing condolences to the government and people of Saint Lucia after the horrible attack on the Cathedral, which took place in Castries on December 31, 2000.   In a letter to Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, the Secretary General, Mr. Edwin Carrington said that it was with profound shock that the Secretariat learnt of the attack.  “The brutality of the incident was magnified in the minds of our staff, who counted many colleagues and friends among the worshippers at that service last Sunday.”

The Secretary General described the incident as horrifying since it occurred in the Cathedral and in light of the fact that the church remains a sacred institution for most citizens.   “We join in condemning this atrocious act and hope that, through faith, the people of Saint Lucia will overcome the impact of this tragedy on their lives and their culture.  It is our fervent hope that in the aftermath of last Sunday’s bloody deeds, the government and people of Saint Lucia will become stronger and more united.”

The letter of condolence also indicated that in spite of the tragedy, Saint Lucia has still moved to a New Year, the start of a new century and a new millennium.   “We therefore ask that in conveying our sincere sympathies to the injured, to the relatives of the deceased and those who witnessed this traumatic event, you will also convey our deep belief that there is always a larger purpose to most unpleasant incidents, Mr. Carrington ended.

On the local front, President of the Saint Lucia Employers Federation, Malcolm Charles in expressing the Federation’s sympathies explained that while members of the Federation cannot begin to explain “why?”, it is certainly clear that a strong disciplinary message needs to be sent to the perpetrators, and would be perpetrators, that there is far too much at stake, for such incidents to be simply wished away.

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