GOVERNMENT AND CHURCH LEADERS RING IN THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 10, 2018 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Members of the Federal Cabinet joined officials from the faith-based community on the evening of Sunday (December 9, 2018) for the 4th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at East Independence Square in Basseterre to help ring in the yuletide season and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Tapley Seaton was given the honour of flipping the switch to turn on the Christmas lights.
Among those on hand to witness the occasion was Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris; Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, the Honourable Vance Amory; Minister of Urban Development, the Honourable Ian Patches Liburd; Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron; Senator the Honourable Wendy Phipps, and Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Josephine Huggins.

The meritorious ceremony was organized by the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral, and according to the Honourable Vance Amory, it also serves to encourage citizens and residents to always keep Christ in their Christmas celebrations.

“At this Christmas time, as we commemorate the coming of Jesus Christ and the Light of the World, as we make merry and as we enjoy family and friends and all of the entertainment which occurs at this time, let us not lose sight of the deeper meaning of Christmas.”

Minister Amory used the occasion to remind those in attendance of the close relationship that exists between the Government and the church, noting that, “The Government has, over the last two years, made a pointed effort to collaborate and cooperate with the church so that we could have a restoration of the peace and security among our people.”

The minister added, “As Government, we cherish the partnership with the church through the St. Kitts Christian Council and the St. Kitts Evangelical Association, and this partnership we want to see strengthened and while I insist and continue to express the view that we [the Government] do not interfere with the church, it is important that we work hand in hand as we try to make a better future for our people.”

Photo: Government ministers and members of the faith-based community at the 4th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Independence Square.

Photo: Hon. Ian Liburd addressing the ceremony with lighted Christmas tree in the background.