Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair. - File

THE EDITOR, Sir:

It is ironic but not surprising that Bishop Herro Blair came out the loser in the recent scenario of Blair versus Holness in the Olympic Gardens political saga.

Bishop Blair, who often preaches forgiveness, was unforgiving when young Holness returned with the symbolic olive branch or the hand of peace. Bishop Blair lost a golden opportunity to demonstrate forgiveness to the people whom he was supposed to be showing how to forgive and live. Instead, he showed arrogance by his utterance and attitude, in refusing to take the hand of peace and consequently young Holness had to walk away like King Jeroboam of the Bible, who had a case of the withered hand.

The Bible tells us to forgive seventy times seven. What Bishop Blair should have said was "Son, I forgive you and I will not only give you my hand but I will give you my heart," and then embrace Mr. Holness, who is a young man of good repute, as far as I understand. It is my humble opinion that is what the honourable Prime Minister would have liked Political Ombudsman Blair to do, or do it herself.

On a personal note, I have never been impressed with preachers who kick up, jump and prance on stage in front of a rolling television camera but at best can only live a life of creeds and not deeds. I would rather see a sermon lived anytime than preached.

When Gandhi was dying he said to his assailant "Son, I forgive you." What would Martin Luther King have done, or Mother Teresa? I have searched and failed to find that level of humility which is necessary among many preachers in Jamaica.

I recall when recently in a Chicago hospital, my cardiac specialist sat on the floor in my room with his legs crossed and with my file on the floor in front of him, when he could not find a chair in my room. While I was apologising for the absence of a chair, the cardiac specialist said "It's all right, I am OK." Jamaicans need that kind of humility and forgiveness. A really great human being is one who is humble and forgiving. While I am not implying anything in this case, sometimes many of us get honour positions not because of our lives but because of our connections. What a pity.

I am etc.

ELVENA WILLIAMS REITTIE

(MRS)

elvena@cwjamaica.com