Archbishop Joseph Harris yesterday called on citizens to do some self introspection when things do not go as planned, saying too often people throw blame on the government for this.
He made the comment during the Feast Day mass at the La Divina Pastora RC Church in Siparia.
Delivering the homily, Harris said citizens should choose to become good leaders.
“Our geo-politics shows us there are three types of leaders. There are those who make outlandish promises. Then there are those who govern using fear, if you oppose them or challenge them you can lose your life. Then there are those who inspire us, but we have to be careful because leaders such as (Adolf) Hitler managed to inspire others,” Harris said.
He called on citizens to look at the Gospel and select leaders who live with integrity.
“We have to look at the Gospel, which presents us with a model of leadership. The Gospel uses two images which help us to recognise good leaders. The Good Shepherd Jesus Christ knows the flock well. He knows everyone’s name and people follow him because they know he will lead them to something good,” Harris said.
“The second image, which is the gate, also represents Christ. The gate protects us. When the gate is open, it opens up new possibilities. So if we are looking for a leader we have to look for those who lead by integrity. Only those types of leaders will open up new possibilities for our people.”
He noted that everyone had the potential to become good leaders.
“You can be a leader even if you are an adult or a youth. Adults can be leaders and the youth can be potential leaders, but you must walk with integrity. This is the key,” he said.
“We have to follow those leaders who know the flock. Don’t follow leaders because they can make outlandish promises but look at whether they have integrity in their lives. As Christians our leadership style is based on the values of the Good Shepherd.”
Harris added: “Many times we blame each other or we blame the government if things are not going well, but nobody bothers to do self introspection. If we want a kinder and more gentle nation then we must also become more kind and gentle as a people.”
He said every individual had the capability to change T&T to a better nation.
“You and I must change. We have to recognise good leaders and we have to become the type of leader that we want others to be,” Harris said.
He said there were many good leaders whom citizens can emulate like Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.
“Pope Francis is preaching an uncompromising doctrine of mercy. We expect others to show mercy to us but we are unwilling to show mercy to others.
“If we become leaders of integrity it will open up new possibilities for our people and T&T will become a better place,” Harris said.
Following the church service, parishioners participated in a procession through the streets of Siparia. The statue of La Divina, adorned in a white flowing dress and laden with jewels, was transported through the streets while worshippers sang the recessional hymn River of Grace.
The statue represents the Virgin Mary to Catholics, but is regarded as the Goddess Durga and Lakshmi by Hindus. Every year hundreds of people flock to the church to pay homage to the statue, which they believe brings them health, wealth, prosperity and reverses infertility.