Adventists host Marriage Seminar

Any government administration in St.Vincent and the Grenadines which chooses to recognise same sex marriage will meet a staunch opponent in Permanent Secretary Nathaniel Williams.

Williams made the vow last Friday evening, May 8th, 2009, while delivering a speech at the Kingstown Seventh Day Adventist Church.{{more}}

“I know some people now take an intellectual view towards marriage, but I believe marriage is a legal union between a man and a woman. And any day any government should discuss or choose to have the people change it, I will take off my permanent secretary hat and I will march against it,” said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Information, The Public Service and Ecclesiastical Affairs, at the opening ceremony of a marriage enrichment seminar, sponsored by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in response to the HIV/AIDS Awareness and Control Programme.Williams added that the strength of a nation depends on the strength of the family.

For the time being, Williams will not have to take to the streets to protest the issue of same sex marriage in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, as both Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace have said that homosexuality will not be legalized under their watch. Additionally, in the proposed new Constitution, which will be put to the people in November, marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman.

Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker was in a jovial mood and shared a few jokes of his own, which had the audience rocking with excitement and laughter.

Straker, who celebrated his 36th wedding anniversary earlier this week, expressed that marriage is a union blessed by God, and when couples have intimate relationships it is like “going into the holy of holies.” This expression pleased the audience, especially when Straker said, it is only the high priest should try and get there.

He shared his own marriage experiences and encouraged the audience to revive and regenerate their relationships.Straker also urged the married couples to have fun. He reminded them that a marriage that lacks fun becomes stale.

The programme was facilitated by Dr.Colwick Wilson, Chair of the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences, Loma Linda University. He dealt with the topic” ‘Enhancing Communication Connections.’

Dr.Wilson addressed the importance of mental and physical wellbeing in marriage. He stated that although they are different, “they are one and the same”. He told the audience that they can enhance their sexual relations by ensuring that they have both physical and mental health.

“Husbands, you ought to be intoxicated with the wife that God has given to you, and as a result of the intoxication you would not be looking to go anywhere, because if you are drunk you are going to stay at home,” said Dr. Wilson, as he challenged the women to do the same. He also urged the couples to assist in reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS.

Other remarks were made by Coordinator of the SVG Region Pastor Dermoth Baptise, Alrick Skerritt, a representative from the National AIDS Secretariat, and Lucine Edwards, Health Planner in the Ministry of Health.