Baldwin Spencer's Remarks at the National Intefaith Service

Her Excellency, the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda;

Cabinet Colleagues;

Venerable Reverend Joseph Lowery;

Reverend Clergy;

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Leaders of Civil Society;

Brothers and Sisters:

Thank you for responding to my invitation for us to convene in this congregation, to give thanks to our Lord for his generous blessings. I begin with Verse 13, Chapter 3, 1st Peter, from the Scriptures: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts, set apart Christ as The Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Today we have assembled here in the house of God to give thanks and praise to The Almighty for his kindness and his generosity.

We are here to seek his guidance and petition Him for peace in our land as we prepare for a decision that may well determine our future; and our children and grandchildren’s future.

Brothers and Sisters:

We gather here today as one family to give God thanks for his blessings.

Though we may be of different faiths, I know that we love the Lord, and we love our native land, Antigua and Barbuda.

Rev. Lowery and Mrs. Lowery, the Government extends its gratitude to you for your words of inspiration and your call for us as a people to live in harmony.

It is my prayer that all of us assembled here today will take your advise seriously especially in this divisive election period.

Brothers and Sisters:

Over the past few weeks, we have seen the politics of the past raising its head again.

The party which I lead is committed to a campaign based on decency, honesty and respect for the law.

As we enter another chapter of our nation’s history, the United Progressive Party firmly commits itself to continue to uphold the high ideals on which we were elected, and on which we tried to govern.

We pledge to continue to be untiring in our service to our communities and to our nation. With God’s help we will succeed.

May God continue to be our compass and our source of strength.

We ask you to continue to lift us up to God and thank him daily for his kindness unto us.

Brothers and Sisters:

We have cause to give thanks to The Lord for blessing us with the captivating presence and the luminous wisdom of Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery.

Dr. Lowery has been rightly described as the dean of the civil rights movement in the United States; and the consummate voice of biblical social relevancy.

His has been applauded as a focused voice, speaking truth to power.

Antigua and Barbuda, like the rest of the world, will not soon forget Reverend Lowery’s peroration in his benediction at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama:

I am sure you remember Dr. Lowery’s mildly mischievous smile at that moment. I know that few will forget the closing of his benediction, which I take the liberty to quote:

“Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around; when yellow will be mellow; when the red man can get ahead, and when white will embrace what is right.

“Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.”

May I now ask you to join me in saying “Amen.”

May God bless us all.

May God bless our beloved Antigua and Barbuda and keep peace among us. Thank You