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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 19
 Mixing God, Religion and Politics
by Dr. Emanuel Finn
Historically the Catholic Church in Dominica has always managed to avoid politics and have stuck to its defined role as spiritual houses and sanctuary for the people and country. Not too long ago, the overwhelming majority of the priests and church leadership comprised of men from Europe.
These foreign clergymen easily managed to extract themselves from the emotional dynamics of politics on the island. Lately, there has been a refreshing and proud presence of brilliant native born and raised priests who are highly vocal, patriotic and are not afraid to express their opinions on civic matters.
Some hold no secret to which political party and candidates they support. Others have gone as far as campaigning for their political party of choice. Partisan politics now reigns in the house of the lord and in the churchyard.
This paradigm shift represents a break with the accommodating, dull and conservative past. Today�s clergy in Dominica are butting heads, and throwing themselves in politics and election melee. Politics today has a profound impact on this new genre of Dominican clergy, which in turn is having a profound impact on how the people view them.
 But the nation must be careful and the church hierarchy must be double vigilant that some members of the clergy might be straying too deep into Dominican partisan politics. The �beast� called politics has the very real potential of dragging this noble and holy institution into disarray and confusion.
Members of the clergy must be mindful that their public and not so secret association and involvement in politics can result in a loss of respect as they can be viewed as instruments and agents of politicians and political parties. It is a risky and often treacherous minefield where politics and religion overlap.
The last general elections pointed to such contentions that the nation witnessed some clergymen serving as advisors and strategists of political parties, instead of providing spiritual guidance.
This historic confrontation between some clergy members of the Catholic Church and politics can have far reaching consequences. It is a rare catholic in Dominica who does not care about politics, but it was a rare (or not at all) catholic priest who will dive into the unpredictable, fluid and divisive world of Dominican politics.
This is a question of value that will outlast elections. If the current trend of priests getting involved in partisan politics continues, people are going to judge and respect them maybe less as preachers of the word, men of devotion and of a higher calling, spiritual healers and leaders.
Instead, they may be judged by what political parties they openly support and in some cases campaign for or against. The worst case scenario is if these political parties are tied to scandals and wrong doings, then invariably members of the Clergy who are deeply associated with them may be viewed by the public with �jaundice� and suspicious eyes. The old proverbs �birds of a feather flock together and show me your friends I will tell you who you are� still apply today. The mixing of politics and the pulpit is an ill advised marriage.
On the other hand, there are some members of the clergy in Dominica who�s writing and preaching has had a profound impact on the population, especially the voters. The teachings of Christ are seen as a liberation tool in the fight against social injustice, human indignity and bad government.
These soldiers of the lord use what can be described as a form of Liberation theology to speak out against injustice and unfairness. These men of the cloth belong to the progressive modern Dominican clergy.
They are courageous and will not stand idle while their counterparts are using the church as a bully pulpit to support their political parties, instead of speaking against alleged corruption and wrong doing in government.
No one can question the wholesomeness of the Christian value system. The clergy in Dominica has a moral responsibility to appeal to the best in Dominica. The role of the Dominican Catholic church is to prepare the Dominican congregation and country to a togetherness that will be the envy of other nations.
That is a golden endeavor and a unique opportunity that the church ought to encourage, and pray for its strength and fortitude for the sake of our country.
But beyond the question of strategic advantage and influence by priests in certain constituencies and the political parties, which they support, lies the large gray area where voters and people�s impression of personal and civic morality of these clergymen and women overlap. Here, the rancorous butting, and boundary crossing of politics and religion can become an issue as much as a spectacle for the voters and the entire country.
But whether it is Campaign 2000 or 2005 what political parties campaigns do is to look for appeals that will work, and look for groups that will move and bring positive attention, and energies. Politicians are constantly seeking and looking for advantages to their campaigns.
It is the moral duty of the clergy not to get caught up with these dynamics of the �snake oil selling� by politicians and political parties. The clergy must desperately and diligently try to avoid politics as it is played in Dominica.
However, the clergy as men of God should always be willing to find out the truth and speak it out loud. The clergy ought to use the �bully� pulpit to speak truth to power. Failure to act on such moral standards is a gamble that the church cannot afford to take.
Due to this fact, the church risks throwing away its long and hard won respect and admiration. Unfortunately and sadly, this respect could be replaced by laughter (�zozou�) and ridicule. The church must hold its high moral standards and should view itself as a �Gulliver� surrounded by political �Lilliputians� who can say or do anything to retain power.
Members of the clergy must take a hard look and the degree to which their own conduct and statements undermine public confidence in their truthfulness, and in the church as a powerful cornerstone institution in the society.
Failing to heed this advice of staying above and beyond the messy political fray means risking their own rightful, important and dignified place in society due to the often-ugly spectacle of mixing politics and religion.
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