By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
ARCHBISHOP Drexel Gomez yesterday urged the Christie administration to immediately establish a code of ethics, citing the political party's record and public criticism.
He also called for a national commission on election reform at a special thanksgiving service commemorating the Progressive Liberal Party's return to government yesterday.
"As a matter of priority, present the Bahamian people with a code of ethics governing the conduct of the persons who are responsible for the management of the affairs of our country," Archbishop Gomez said.
"I believe that given the history of this particular party, given the noise of the naysayers who are watching, and even criticising before you begin to act, it would do you well to show The Bahamas and to show the outside world that we do have standards, that we do have dignity, we do know how to conduct our affairs."
As he warned that "people were watching", Archbishop Gomez told elected officials to avoid "ad hoc strategies" and ensure that the Bahamian people were the principal beneficiaries of their proposed policies.
"You've been elected to serve all of the citizens and residents of The Bahamas," he said.
"That mandate will take two forms, you will develop policies and you will seek to ensure that those policies are implemented through the various governmental agencies."
Archbishop Gomez said: "As you seek to implement policies, please try to avoid ad hoc strategies and pragmatic outcomes that fly in the face of principle, democracy, and integrity.
"May all of your policies pay special attention to the actual beneficiaries of those policies that is the people of The Bahamas.
"Your mandate does not permit you to plan for special interest groups, the principal beneficiaries of your policies must be the Bahamian people."
Archbishop Gomez said: "To function in an honest and transparent manner. Don't talk the talk, but walk the walk, and let people see you walking the walk.
"Do not hide behind principle of national security to cloud lack of transparency, or the desire to hide certain things from the Bahamian people. The Bahamian people expect you to level with them and be honest with them."
While he noted that no political party has ever been able to fulfil every election promise, Archbishop Gomez underscored the importance of maintaining transparency and securing adequate resources to ensure "a tolerable way of life" for Bahamians.
He said: "Every political party makes promises and no party has ever been able to fulfil all of the promises made.
"What we require is honesty in saying to people this is where we are, and this is what we can do, and as the situation improves we will go forward.
"The people of The Bahamas want to participate in the affairs of their country."
Comments
concernedcitizen 12 years, 6 months ago
it would have done them well not to put the same shukers and jivers back in the house ,paper will stay still and let you write anything on it ,code of ethics ,a shopping list ,numbers you wanna play ,doesn,t mean you can buy everthing in the store or your going to hit the number ....
Cc 12 years, 6 months ago
Ditto. Was the Archbishop in the Bahamas from 2002-2007? Wasn't there a code of ethics then also? Did any of those PLP jokers take it seriously then? Does anyone really believe they will take it seriously now? Mudda sick.
mynameis 12 years, 6 months ago
Dream on Archbishop...I remember you calling for the same thing back in 2002...
perspective 12 years, 6 months ago
WELL SAID ARCHBISHOP!!!!!!
dacy 12 years, 6 months ago
SMT...THESE BISHOPS HEARTS ARE FOR PARTY MORE THAN GOD!
proudloudandfnm 12 years, 6 months ago
Why doesn't this man shut up about non church issues? Gomez!!! We don't care what you have to say, you are an embarrassment to your church! I hope you wake up one day and realize just how many FNM anglicans you have alienated in your political job for the PLP.
I pray one day we get a true seperation of church and state!
Arob 12 years, 6 months ago
I disagree, the church is about ethics. But, I think that we are closing the barn door after the horses have bolted. The code of ethics should be at two levels (1) a standard at the party level - screening of candidates before they are elected and (2) a code of behaviour at the government level (upper & lower house). In the meantime, the platinum rule applies "do to others as you would have others do to you".
concernedcitizen 12 years, 6 months ago
we had a code of ethics it was named Hubert Ingraham ,the people voted it out ,,,people vote for a goverment that most represent themselves ,,,,,,
C_MonMan 12 years, 6 months ago
While you are talking about code of ethics, it would appear that a code of ethics may be useful for Archbishops as well! Just a thought.
concernedcitizen 12 years, 6 months ago
i,m an anglican and live on a family island ,,the last father we had, had to leave because he got caught w/ someone other than his wife ,,church has become nothing more than the big hat show and monday through saturday God has become our numbers handicapper . i prefer to read my bible and have my spiritual contact with God privately ..whenever i,m in church and look around at the people i,m afraid the building is going to burst into flames ..lol
Bril 12 years, 6 months ago
Bahamians can knock the Archbishop all they like but he is correct in recommending a code of ethics. The problem that I have with it is there is no enforcement of these so called codes. The problem is Bahamians don't know how and when to resign. They holding on so dearly to a paycheck that they fool themselves into believing they've done nothing wrong. So I would say that the Archbishop needs to be the first to say something if a scandal arises and the PM refuses to act. The church and the media need to do a better job guarding the principles of this country. These politicians forget themselves and do whatever they want, whenever they want. And that's on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Ingraham was dishonest when he claimed scandal free government and the PLP will too have its share of issues. All I ask is that our politicians be honourable and resign when you've messed up. Writing it on paper as a code means nothing to me. Simple, if yah mess up pack up your marbles and move on and if you refuse to move on the PM needs to have the balls to fire you and be quick about it. Or in the event that you find your personal principles compromised by a cabinet decision have the integrity to stand up and resign. But I think our politicians have very little principles that they firmly believe in. We always compromise our beliefs to satisfy others. That's all folks!
Arob 12 years, 6 months ago
Bril, you wrote "All I ask is that our politicians be honourable and resign when you've messed up. Writing it on paper as a code means nothing to me. Simple, if yah mess up pack up your marbles and move on and if you refuse to move on the PM needs to have the balls to fire you and be quick about it." Take a look at our present government.
As George Santayana, Philosopher, wrote these famous words: "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat their mistakes. Those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it. Those who do not know history's mistakes are doomed to repeat them." Wikipedia
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