SVG Christian Council gets new chairman

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council has a new chairman.{{more}}

Rev. Adrian Odle, Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church Kingstown-Chateaubelair, assumed the chairmanship on June 3, 2013.

He will have as his deputy, Monsignor Michael Stewart of the Roman Catholic Church, and Godfrey Samuel will continue as the Council’s secretary/treasurer.

The assumption of offices followed a Strategic Retreat held on May 23, 2013, conducted by Dr Jules Ferdinand, during which the Council re-committed to its mission of service to the society at large.

The retreat was deemed necessary as the Council sought to re-energize itself, having experienced a period of perceived inactivity. The deliberations identified areas for immediate attention and pointed to ways in which the Council can be proactive in fulfilling its mandate.

To this end, two of the standing commissions of the Council have been reactivated, namely the Communication and the Social Action Commissions.

According to Rev. Odle, the period going forward should be one of transformation, as “the Council grapples with the challenges of the last dispensation and “makes an assertive effort to be in the public domain.”

The Council recognizes that the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines expect the “Council to speak” on issues of a social and economic nature and admits to having been irregular in this regard.

The Council also recognizes its responsibility attendant to its recognition by government, allowing it representation on a number of national committees and boards of institutions.

Rev. Odle, on behalf of the Council, reassures the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines that the Council is aware of the significant role it is called upon to play in “being the conscience of the society,” and commits itself to upholding that mandate in accordance with, and in the spirit of the highest Christian values.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council comprises the heads of the Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Salvation Army churches and three representatives of the constituent churches, with at least two of those three being lay members.