Archbishop warns against society’s moral drift, but everyone called to be holy, spotless

Morality in Trinidad and Tobago has drifted over the past 20 to 40 years but the call to be “holy and spotless” is still important for bringing change.

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon underscored this point while delivering the homily Monday, December 8 on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the Cathedral, named after a major dogma of the Catholic Church.

He called for introspection on what it means to be holy and spotless. Archbishop Gordon said: “This drift in the public sphere, this drift in the private sphere in all sorts of ways in our society, we have seen God is calling a people who will be holy and spotless…we are these people that have been redeemed by Christ, set aside by Christ to be holy and spotless by His glorious grace and His grace alone”.

At a time when it is most needed, the “beautiful Cathedral” stands as a prophetic sign to the nation.  As the Cathedral celebrates 174 years of dedication this year and going into its 175th year, and the archdiocese also marks 175 years, these gave a moment to ponder God’s call. Archbishop Gordon said: “What is the call of God to us in this beautiful nation, we call Trinidad and Tobago? We can’t continue the drift that we have been drifting. We have to now call, understand, listen and hear from inside of us the call of God to be holy and spotless and ask God, every one of us, what does that mean and what is He calling me to do?”

Archbishop Gordon used his homily as “catechesis” on the dogma of the Immaculate Conception (in which Mary is believed to be, from conception, without original sin) because it is a doctrine many Catholics have trouble understanding.

He also said there are differing views between the Roman Catholic and other Christian faiths on the role of Mary. Pointing to the angel’s greeting at the Annunciation, he said after the fall of Eve, Mary is full of grace.

“We give Mary the role that we give her in our Church, but Mary already is everything the Church is destined to become…through God’s grace from before time, Mary was prepared so she could bring into the world Jesus Christ our Lord who will crush the head of the serpent,” Archbishop Gordon explained.

He added that devotion to Mary is a simple recognition, “After Jesus, there is none more holy who has ever lived than Mary, none! Because she is both holy and immaculate”.

Deacon Dennis Hamid proclaimed the gospel. A procession to the grotto with a statue of Mary followed the Mass and a prayer of dedication to the Immaculate Conception was recited.

A brief award ceremony took place thereafter in which long-serving members of the Cathedral Parish were recognised. —LPG