Catholic Bishop calls for an end to violence

Bishop Neil Scantlebury has issued a heartfelt plea for an end to the violence that continues to grip Barbados, where the homicide rate has surged to 40 this year. 

During a service at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, marking the launch of the Small Business Association’s 21st annual Small Business Week, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Bridgetown made an impassioned call for a cessation of the killings that are devastating families and communities across the island.

“It’s time, high time, yes, that we stop killing each other,” he urged, speaking directly to those involved in violent acts, pointing to the personal cost of every murder. 

“Because it is somebody’s son, somebody’s child, somebody’s grandchild that we are killing; we are shooting; that is murder.” 

Scantlebury’s message was not only to the perpetrators but to society as a whole, pushing for a greater awareness of the ripple effects of violence, especially on children left behind by these senseless acts. “Then they leave behind children to suffer,” he said, adding that it held a long-term impact on families and future generations.

The bishop also highlighted the role of jealousy and materialism in driving much of the violence, asking, “Who are they jealous of? Jealous of the other gangs making more money, selling more drugs? Jealous of people who have gold and jewellery and big things?”

He went on to stress that this path of violence is not the life that God has envisioned for anyone, urging those involved to reflect on their actions. “That’s not the way of life,” Scantlebury said, before calling for a shift in thinking and a focus on service to others. “It is really and truly to learn to be of service … not to kill, but to serve.”

The bishop also touched on the broader societal tendency to blame others rather than take responsibility. “We love to blame people. Blame this one and that one,” he said, highlighting how easy it is to deflect accountability. 

Scantlebury called for introspection and a commitment to changing the culture of violence, ambition, and envy that continues to harm Barbados. (RG)