Martin Henry's call for the ministerial ordination of Dr Patrick Allen to be revoked upon his appointment as governor general is without merit or substance.

I cannot understand why ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church should mean an 'exclusive' life-long vocation, as Henry suggests. There is no reason why a minister of the gospel, while serving in that capacity, should be unable to serve in a public capacity, as long as it is not one which compromises his or her faith.

Not simply a job

The Christian ministry, after all, is not simply a job or vocation, but is manifested in how we live our lives and in the decisions that we make, and how we serve as witnesses for Christ until he comes.

On the other hand, Martin's call for the resignation of Dr Allen from his administrative position within the SDA Church is not unreasonable. The governors general who have served before took the office as private citizens, and it is not unreasonable for the same to be asked of Dr Allen. However, it seems illogical for his official ties with his church to be cut. Surely, the service of Rev Weeville Gordon as custos of Kingston and deputy governor general were not impeded by his ties to the Anglican Church.

SDA defence justified

The SDA Church, while being sectarian, cannot be compared to political parties, and its defence of one of its members as being suitable for public service is justified, given the concerns voiced by many upon the announcement of Dr Allen's appointment. Certainly, a man cannot be separated easily from his faith and beliefs, and those who have served as governor general before had their own political orientation.

I, therefore, think that Martin's request is unreasonable and unjustifiable. The belief in the separation of the Church and State should not prevent one from serving in both spheres.

While I am not of the Adventist persuasion, I welcome Dr Allen's appointment as governor general and hope that his witness for Christ, even in his public service, can bring a significant, positive change in our fair island.

I am, etc.,

WARREN THOMPSON

warrentommo@gmail.com

Kingston 6