Although there are reports of Venezuelan gangsters forming alliances with criminals T&T, Roman Catholic priest Fr David Khan yesterday urged citizens to continue to extend assistance to refugees.
In his sermon following the stations of the cross procession at San Fernando Hill, Fr Khan said citizens should look out for everyone, including refugees, who are unable to cope with the pressures of the society.
“Those who carry their crosses, we need to assist them, we need to support them, the migrants and refugees,” he said.
He said citizens should follow the example of Jesus Christ and be meek and helpful to others regardless of race, nationality, and status.
“In our falling, there is a rising and each and every one of us has fallen many different times. Our leaders and those in authority have fallen and one needs to recognise that in order to rise up and bring about something new we all need to humble ourselves,” he said.
“As long as you stay on the right path we will experience grace and mercy and we will come to the destination we ought to know. If we on the wrong path no matter how easy it may be, we will never reach our destination.
“Our destination for our nation as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago is here every creed race will find an equal place and in order for this to take place, we need to work together. We need to humble ourselves and do what is right and good.”
Fr Khan said Christians have an obligation to assist.
He explained: “The Lord himself said those who will shoulder his yolk he himself will help us, so let us recognise our land is named after the Trinity God and we are blessed with many great gifts and talents.”
Underscoring the need to work together for harmony, he added: “Let us use it so a new day will dawn and the new day will dawn when we look at one another and we do not see the colour of skin, we do not see nationality, status or money in our bank account, but what we see is our brother and sister.”
Following the procession, members of the men’s ministry of Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church put on a skit about showing support for the homeless, differently abled, victims of crime, poverty, abused children, migrants and refugees.
Participants Cedel Hinds, Joseph Brown Samuel and Moraldo Ramnarine demonstrated the importance of national unity and why equality is an integral part of diversity.
Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell, the MP for San Fernando East, who assisted in carrying the cross during the procession, said he is in support of that call.
Asked to comment on reports that a Venezuelan gang, Evande, had formed alliances with T&T gangs, Mitchell said he has confidence in Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and national intelligence units.
“I head what the Commissioner said and I just want to reiterate that the opportunity (to live and work in T&T) is not open to all, it is open to the law-abiding Venezuelans who are genuinely looking forward to a better life in this short period of time. With the turmoil continuing in Venezuela, the Police Service, Commissioner of Police and intelligence services are working and I trust in them to protect the wider citizenry in T&T,” he said.
Asked whether he is in favour of citizens opening up their homes to Venezuelans, Mitchell said citizens should follow the teaching of Jesus Christ and do what is right.