A Spiritual Baptist priest yesterday called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to call a national day of prayer to heal the country from its current state of decay, saying there was too much evil roaming the land.
Father Wendell Jack, of the St Ann's Healing Spiritual Baptist Church, made the call during the funeral service for slain schoolboy Mark Richards at A J Nella's Funeral Home, Duke Street, Port-of-Spain.
He said he did not want to hear any "ifs" or "buts", noting that gunmen like the ones who had killed Jack and his Success Laventille Secondary schoolmate Denelson Smith were now running rampant across the land.
"We must seek first the Kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you. If my people, which are called by my name (Jesus), shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Heal the land of T&T," John said as he quoted from the Holy Bible.
He said it was high time for all young men in T&T to get together and unite instead of killing one another.
"Learn to live good. If you can't live good, nothing can't happen. There is no room in our hearts to tote hatred, covertness and envy. Our hearts are too small. You have to learn to control your emotions. Why can't we all do that?" he added.
His call came even as the murder toll rose yet again yesterday, pushing it to the 44 mark.
Richards and Smith, both of Laventille, were pulled out of a taxi while travelling along Picton Road last week Thursday and killed in cold-blood.
They have been described as exemplary students. Smith, who was a school prefect, was known for his cricketing skills and had copped many trophies and medals for the sport. Richards was known for his footballing skills.
From as early as 10 am yesterday, Duke Street, between Nelson and George Streets, was blocked off from all vehicular traffic by police officers.
The massive crowd of mourners later spilled out of the funeral home's chapel to the streets under the watchful eyes of heavily-armed police officers from tactical units of the T&T Police Service.
Amidst the haunting rhythm of African drumming, one could hear outbursts of screams coming from mourners, including Richards' schoolmates and teachers from the Success Laventille Secondary School.
"Mark! Why, why, why, Mark?" screamed one student as she was hugged by other students.
Another cried: "Why did you have to go like this?"
'Children too disrespectful'
An unidentified woman, who spoke briefly at the funeral, stood in front of Richards' coffin and shouted the need for prayers, not only in the home but in the schools. She also scolded parents for failing to discipline their children.
"We need prayers. Children, pray before you leave home for school. Hug your parents and pray.
"Thank God you are living today. Parents, do not let your children go down the drain too fast. If their pants are under their buttocks, pull it up. Watch the symbols they forming with their hands, all this evil symbols. Tell them about it," the woman pleaded.
"Children, buckle yourself up, you have become too disrespectful. This here (referring to Richards' demise) is a frightening scene. Time for you all to know God, make that change today and get yourselves in church."
During the eulogy, Richards was described as a boy who adored and loved his family, especially his mother Shurline Valdez-Phillips. He was also described as a lover of football and church.
Even Jack said he remembered seeing Richards singing "Lean On Me", in the church's choir last month.
Today, a funeral service will be held for Richards' close friend Denelson Smith at the Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Picton, Laventille.
Getting it right
A photo on Page A7 of yesterday's paper incorrectly captioned Cecil Chin as a structural engineer who was touring the Las Alturas Towers site alongside Las Alturas commission of enquiry chairman Justice Mustapha Ibrahim and geotechnical engineer Derek Gay. The person was in fact Dr Myron Chin, one of the commissioners. Our apologies to Dr Chin.