Improving Respect for Life in Trinidad and Tobago
by Ottrisha Carter
Human life is a precious gift from God, the Creator. Almighty God creates each human person in His image and likeness. Due to this fact, human life has a dignity and an inestimable value. Each one of us is called to be a good steward of God’s treasure and has the responsibility of respecting human life and its inviolability from conception to natural death.
Respect for life, is one of the values that is not taken very seriously in Trinidad and Tobago. However, there are many ways in which this value can be improved. There would be a positive change in the entire country if there was a higher level of respect for human life. Many people abuse the gift of human life because they are unaware of the fact that human life is a treasure that is given from God, the Creator.
In order to improve the level of respect for life in Trinidad and Tobago, the Pastoral Plan can provide a variety of programmes and services for the persons who fall as victims of circumstances and situations. These programmes can address spiritual, emotional and educational issues of the suffering.
Firstly, the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities can provide a programme for women with problems related to their pregnancy. This programme can address the issues of poverty. Poverty, being one of the major driving forces that leads to an unwanted pregnancy or an abortion. Also, many teenagers tend to turn to abortion as their only resort. However, if they were aware of the value of human life, they would surely desist from abortion and be very happy to give birth and cherish God’s gift from heaven.
Secondly, the Pastoral Plan can provide a programme for those who have been involved in abortion. These include: women who have taken abortions, parents who have encouraged their children to have abortions and doctors who are abortionists. This programme will be able to help these people find their way in the light of Christ and help bring them out of darkness. As they are drawn closer into a life of light, they would desist from partaking in abortions in the future. Also, they will be able to gain the strength and ask God for forgiveness.
Thirdly, a programme for the disabled, sick and dying, their families and caregivers. This programme will be able to provide unity among the sick and their families. The disabled will be able to recognize that although they are unable to do much or anything in the eyes of their families or the public, they are worth more than anything because they are precious gifts from God. Their families and caregivers will learn to provide a greater appreciation for them, respecting them and being thankful for each of them.
Fourthly, for the victims who have lost family members or loved ones due to violent crimes. This programme can deal with the important necessity of being able to forgive.
This will help the victims to forgive the murderers of their loved ones, so that they will be able to move forward in light and also have respect for their lives. Once they have forgiven, the family will be able to show love to the murderers.
Also, for the prisoners who are sentenced to death. This programme can help the prisoners to deal with their sentence and be able to prepare for this day. Also, law men can participate in this programme so that they will be able to soften their hearts and be aware that human life is a precious gift from God and should not be taken for granted. Although, these men probably committed the worst crimes if they repent they would be forgiven by God and if God forgives them, what’s the purpose of man taking their lives in total judgement?
The Pastoral Plan can also provide services to improve respect for human life. An introduction to parenting, educating teenagers and young adults on childbirth preparation and proper parenting. Also, healing for persons who have participated in abortions in any way. This can offer counseling services for those who are suffering from the nightmares of previous abortions. Lastly, services for the senior citizens. This can offer medical care to the poor elderly people who are suffering and does not have a stable means of survival.
The Archdiocese of Port of Spain can provide a variety of programmes and services in their Pastoral Plan, to improve the level of respect for life in Trinidad and Tobago. Some suggestible programmes are: for women who are experiencing difficulty in their pregnancy due to circumstances, persons who participate or participated in abortions, for the sick, their families and caregivers, victims who have lost relatives due to criminal activities and for prisoners who are under death sentence. Also, some services that can be provided to improve the importance and the level of respect for life in our country are: parenting education, abortion healing, and elderly services.
