The Diego Martin United Church is not a member of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago, but is the only fully ecumenical Church and congregation in the country, founded by the Methodist, Moravian and Presbyterian Churches, and thus believes itself duty-bound to respond to issues of national significance.
Whilst we do not believe that we have the right to interfere in matters of law and practice of other churches and religious bodies, yet because the issue of child marriage engages parliamentary legislation, it is therefore an issue affecting the national community.
We recognise that our country is not a theocracy, does not promote any one established religion above others, nor does it have a national religion in which law and practice can be independent of and outside of parliamentary purview, but that all religious bodies are subject to Parliament and the Constitution. Thus the State, in its various Marriage Acts, cannot speak with one voice to certain religious groups and with quite another to the rest of the national community.
It stands to reason, therefore, that there cannot be the criminalisation of sexual activity as statutory rape and paedophilia for persons under the age of eighteen (18), or for those of majority age with such as are of minority age, for the national community, while at the same time enshrining such sexual activity within marriage between females so categorised as minors, and males of majority age, for various religious groups.
We acknowledge that our country is composed of various strands of complex religious, racial, and cultural heritage, encompassing a wide and diverse range of perspectives, experiences and expressions, that different faith traditions have different value systems and theologies, and that these impact our understanding of how we interact and order our common life, relate to matters of rights and responsibilities, and thus any approach to any issue within this sphere ought to be made with sensitivity and open-mindedness.
We nevertheless, categorically denounce any statement(s) made in attempts to justify child marriages, and call upon the government to ensure the rights and protection of all our country's children, over and above any religious law and practice to the contrary. Sexual activity between a person of majority age and someone who is a minor is paedophilia, plain and simple, and is disgraceful for any government to have it enshrined into any law or Marriage Act for any pertinent group or other.
We believe in and seek to uphold the dignity of each human person and the sanctity of all life. We recognise the importance of promoting right relationships with God, humanity, and all of creation with a view to eradicating discrimination, violence, abuse, and all other harmful practices.
We believe that every measure should be taken to eliminate all forms of abuse and violation of human dignity, especially in regard to child marriages, but also including murders, forced marriages, human trafficking, rape, incest, and other indignities against human persons. We hold these matters to be necessary and relevant to our society, and central to its sustainability.
We call for and are willing to engage in strategic partnerships among government, civil society, and faith-based organisations to facilitate dialogue and implement action, particularly with regard to the need for responsible sexual and reproductive health education at each age and stage of life, encouraging appropriate emotional bonding, promoting healthy relationships, and to uphold human dignity in all conditions of life and promote mutual respect among all our people.
�2 The Reverend Clifford R. L. Rawlins, Minister-in-charge
In the name of the Diego Martin United Church and the Ecumenical Community