Founder of church parade invites carnivalgoers

Based on some negative public responses to the Jesus in the City, Jamaica parade, planned for October 27 this year, president and founder of Jesus in the City, Toronto, Ayanna Solomon, has said that Jamaicans should not view the event as beating down carnival.

She has even thrown out an invitation to all revellers and leaders of the nation to attend.

Solomon told The Gleaner last week that when carnival participants express "passion for lust, something is released in the atmosphere that condones certain lifestyles, even homosexuality". She also said that as they dance, they unknowingly participate in a form of worship of the devil.

Persons then took to the Gleaner website, with one individual asking, "Oh, the Church has a voice? When all these killings and clergy men are molesting underage girls, they remained silent".

Another person said, "Stay in your lane. Church, and focus on the real issues".

Local clergyman, the Reverend Astor Carlyle has even cast doubt that the parade will yield sufficient results.

But, Solomon responded in an interview earlier this week saying: "The church is the body of Christ, but the church is not perfect. We want Jesus in the City to be not just a parade. We are positioning ourselves to be a spiritual government, helping people in need. Our vision is to celebrate love for God and people, through music, the arts and culture."

Soloman added: "We would love for the prime Minister to be there to address the crowd. Other parliamentary leaders are all invited. Even people who attend carnival, I want them to come to the parade too. Naturally Christianity counteracts many things, but our hearts are filled with love for people regardless of their lifestyles."

The parade will include churches of all denominations from across Kingston and St Andrew, Portmore and Spanish Town in St Catherine. The float will travel throughout Kingston and St Andrew and culminate in downtown Kingston at the waterfront.

jason.cross@gleanerjm.com