Archbishop Rivas apologizes to PM Chastanet for “disrespectful” parable

Archbishop Robert Rivas O.P. has apologized to Prime Minister Allen Chastanet for a “parable” that he shared last Sunday, during a sermon at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. With Saint Lucia on a partial shutdown, Rivas was delivering a message virtually to the church’s congregation.

He said: “What would you do if you were to see the leader of the Opposition Mr. Philip J. Pierre coming out of a tomb, and as he steps out, he goes immediately and knocks at the side of another tomb, with a big stone blocking the entrance. He wonders where his help would come from. When suddenly, an angel appears, and rolls the stone away. The angel then says to him, ‘do not be afraid, to do what you have decided to do for the good of the nation’ and the angel disappears. Then with great emotion and with love for the nation stricken by a pandemic, he sighs and he says, ‘Allen, the honourable leader of the nation, come out of your tomb! The time of isolation is over, come and see the light.’

“The prime minister walks out with his team of parliamentarians, each with her or his portfolio. Standing six feet apart from each other, even though the CMO had said there was no reason for distancing anymore. The two leaders still maintained their distance just in case. However, the playing field had changed and they had learnt the lesson of the tomb: Bad politics was worse than COVID-19 and could keep a nation in bondage and in a tomb. Visionary leaders could rise above differences and take their people with them in building a nation where all are invited to share at the one table of life.

“That day, death gave way to life. Darkness ceded to the light. And two leaders decided to put away their swords, and with a pen, signed a declaration that would be binding for fostering good politics for integral development and the progress of a nation. All over the world, leaders, on hearing this story, adopted more humble and servant leadership styles. Putting aside arrogance and aggression, and became willing to cooperate more in the interest of the common good for their nations. In fact, it was Easter Sunday when all this happened. The day of resurrection. All leaders now had a new portfolio: One nation for all, built on trust, hope, understanding, respect for life, human rights and human dignity…”

Speaking at Sunday Mass today, April 19, Rivas said that he found himself in a very awkward position since he was told that he had disrespected and offended the “Prime Minister, the honourable Allen Chastanet.” What was considered disrespectful, Rivas highlighted, was that the prime minister was referred to by name by one of the characters in the “parable”. The Archbishop also said that there were other details in the story which the prime minister was not pleased with. Rivas did not disclose what they were.

The Archbishop assured Chastanet that he has the greatest respect for his office, him as a person, his leadership and family. Rivas said that he understood his spiritual role in Saint Lucia more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that he prayed for the country’s leaders and the nation daily.

“I consider it my duty at this time to affirm the prime minister and his government in the heroic work and role they are playing in leading the country wisely, compassionately, and with integrity in a time of great uncertainties, fears and indeed crisis. The health and welfare of our people are at stake,” said the Archbishop. “There is nothing I would do to offend anyone, especially the prime minister; when right now we need more than ever to be our brother’s and our sister’s keeper. Forgive me dear prime minister if my parable caused you grief and created ambiguity in your mind. I am sorry.”

Rivas assured the prime minister of his full support for him as leader of the nation. “I am here for him and for all that is best for Saint Lucia. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, I pray for peace and restoration,” he said.