The Church and human rights

GUESS WHO the guest preacher for the annual human rights service at Christ Church, Vineyard Town will be on Sunday, December 8? He is none other than the distinguished author and priest whose text is referenced at Amazon in this way: “In the poignant memoir Struck Down, Raised Up , Barrington Buchanan invites readers into the remarkable chapters of his life, where the shadows of polio cast a stark contrast to the luminosity of his unwavering spirit. Born into a world that tested his physical limits, Barrington emerged not as a victim but as a triumphant survivor, destined for a life of purpose and inspiration.”

I was a student at Church Teachers’ College when Father Barrington Buchanan was lecturer and chaplain. I discovered very early that this Anglican priest was not into anyone slowing to wait for him to catch up with their pace. He would therefore say, “Keep going, keep going.”

It is customary for Christ Church to facilitate this human rights service on the Sunday closest to International Human Rights Day. It is an opportunity for church, community, and, indeed, the voiceless to come together in celebration of equal rights and justice for all. At a time when the world is seeing a threat to human rights and justice for the marginalised and the oppressed, it is very important that we seize every opportunity to stand in solidarity with the work of protecting human dignity everywhere.

Jamaica needs more people who will witness triumph over adversity and challenging circumstances. When you join us at the annual human rights service next Sunday, you will hear from a “triumphant survivor” who has been the recipient of the Governor General’s Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to education and community service; award from the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools for dedicated service to education as principal; and 60th Anniversary Award from the Ministry of Education, in recognition of outstanding contribution to education. His long list of accomplishments also includes the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for contribution to education in Jamaica.

While preparing for sensitisation of awareness around the built environment for churches, with regards to people living with disabilities, we discovered at Christ Church that while we were feeling good about our wheelchair ramp, people who live with disabilities require more than just being able to appear in a wheelchair. The invited guest preacher will not be able to enter the sanctuary (the immediate location of the altar), or even the pulpit. Is it because the traditional assumption was that these spaces would not have been required by those with physical disabilities?

Then, in one Facebook post, a Facebook friend gave a welcome reminder that there are disabilities which are not physical. I am grateful to Ann Marie Elizabeth Campbell who noted, “People often associate disability with someone in a wheelchair. Many persons, including myself, suffer from mental disabilities. It’s time we change the images to capture the realities of those who suffer from disabling diseases such as major depression.” This is a timely reminder in a world where many live with the challenge of depression.

We salute those human rights actors, politicians, justices of the peace, and other members of the church who courageously do the unpopular work of human rights. This work is not for the faint of heart. Congratulations to new survivors of abuse who are now walking in their power to overcome the darkness and the pain and what felt like a life condemned to misery. Lots of grace and strength to you and those who have journeyed with you.

At this year’s annual human rights service next Sunday, may attendees be also inspired to press on, in spite of life’s challenges. May everyone be blessed as healing is ministered. Again, in the words of Amazon, Struck Down, Raised Up is a testament to Barrington Buchanan’s motivational life, a journey marked by success against adversity and a commitment to uplifting others … . Barrington’s memoir is an inspiring tale of being struck down by circumstances and emerging, raised up, by the extraordinary power of resilience, purpose, and the unwavering belief in the potential for triumph in every challenge.”

See you next Sunday at Christ Church, Vineyard Town.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell JP, is an Anglican priest and advocate for human dignity and human rights. Send feedback to seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.