by Mike James, member of the CCSJ
“At this time, there are too many scandals and injustices, too much corruption and greed, too many errors and lies, too much violence which leads to misery and to death.”
“Every people wishes to understand the political and economic choices which are made in its name. They perceive manipulation and their revenge is sometimes violent.”
“Do not deprive your peoples of hope! Do not cut them off from their future by mutilating their present!”
You might think these are the harsh words of an opposition politician. Given news last week of the “precipitous drop” of Trinidad and Tobago on the corruption index of Transparency International (TI) from 5.3 in 2001 (over 5 out of 10 is considered reasonably free of Corruption) to 3.6 (73 out of 178 countries) last year and 3.2 (91 out of 183 countries this year, you might conclude that the comments come from a TI official.
During the same period Guyana declined from a lowly position – 116 last year to a shocking 134. Perhaps the quotes come from a local TI representative.
They do not.
They are direct quotes from a major address by Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit, to a large gathering of politicians, religious leaders and diplomats from across Africa, including the President of Benin.
“From this place, I launch an appeal to all political and economic leaders of African countries and the rest of the world. These ills certainly afflict your continent, but they also afflict the rest of the world. Every people wishes to understand the political and economic choices which are made in its name.”
In its 2011 report TI explains that its “surveys and assessments include questions related to the bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and the effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts.”
Every one of us, Catholic and non-Catholic alike is fully convinced that the message and witness of Jesus Christ whose coming in a humble stable we recall in this season, is absolutely incompatible with these manifestations of corruption with which we are all too familiar. The Catholic Church has always taught that fraud, the giving as well as the receiving of bribes, even for “minor matters” such as being let off for a traffic violation or for “assistance” to bypass bureaucratic red tape is a betrayal of Christ.
But rarely has a Pope spoken out so clearly and unmistakably, echoing the very strong positions taken by bishops from across the African continent in the concluding document of their recent synod. The main message of the document—an apostolic exhortation called “The Pledge for Africa” – is Peace, Reconciliation and Justice.
For the first time Trinidad has sunk below Jamaica (position 86) in the TI Corruption Index. On the other hand Barbados is rated at 16, higher than the US and many developed countries and equal to the UK and the highest in the hemisphere after Canada.
What response should we then make to the call of the Pope and the perception that some of our nations are becoming increasingly corrupt? Clearly as individuals we are all challenged to beg God’s grace in Christ so that we do not engage in corrupt practices, and that we do not encourage or turn a blind eye to the temptation to corruption among those who we know, love or over whom we have influence. We also must collectively address corrupt systems. Caribbean people migrate to Canada and immediately become model citizens, receiving major recognition for integrity and fairness. Integrity legislation, transparent procurement systems did not fall from the sky in Canada. Ordinary people put them in place. We need not emigrate to Canada (or Barbados for that matter) to put those systems in place. Let us start today even in small ways, accountability and integrity on Parish Councils, fair wages for honest work in Church institutions, etc. A good way to prepare for the coming of the Prince of Integrity and Transparency and Justice.
