Easter Greetings
Guyana Chronicle
April 9, 2007

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Easter greetings from PNCR
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) hopes that the message of Easter and the life of Jesus Christ will continue to be a source of inspiration to all people and “help us all to be better persons in our challenging world”.

In its Easter message, the main opposition party extended greetings to all Guyanese, particularly the Christian community, noting that Easter is considered the anniversary of the birth of the Christian Church worldwide.

For the members of the Christian community, it said, the Easter story represents the fulfillment of God’s prophesy that mankind would be offered hope of eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ and His subsequent resurrection.

“It is this faith which has kept the Christian Church alive and enabled its followers to make significant contributions to making the earth a better place for all mankind.”

The party also noted that the Easter season in Guyana is best known for the widespread kite flying activity that is seen by many as representation of the theme of resurrection.

“Whatever may have been its origins, kite flying attracts widespread participation of Guyanese from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture (and) it therefore offers another opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences and understand each other better.”

“As our kites soar to the heavens, it is hoped that the experience contributes to renewed hope for the future development of our dear land of Guyana,” the PNCR added.

AFC Easter greetings
THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has extended Easter greetings to all Guyanese but urged everyone, especially children and young people, to be careful and moderate in their celebrations and to respect and honour the true significance of the purpose of Jesus Christ’s life and death.

“As a nation we once again enter into the period of repentance and celebration on the occasion to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” the AFC said in a statement.

According to the party, the life and ministry of Christ are as significant as the horrific episode of his death that has come to define him and offer valuable lessons for people today.

Noting that during his lifetime Jesus stood on the side of righteousness, social justice, and equality as highlighted in his themes of love and forgiveness, the AFC said these are the qualities and principles the party urges all Guyanese to inculcate regardless of their religious persuasion.

This year, it said, the Guyanese people and especially the Christian community have much to be in praise for and “we therefore invite all Guyanese in their moments of reliving the episode of the crucifixion and resurrection to contemplate how in every way possible we can each recognise our blessings and also do something to help improve the lives of others”.

“Yet despite many things to be grateful for, there are still many amongst us who are deserving of compassion, benevolence, and justice. One obvious and very poignant case in point is the plight of Mark Benschop who is awaiting a trial and away from his family at this time,” the AFC said.

It called on President Bharrat Jagdeo to display magnanimity and statesmanship by offering a gesture of reconciliation by ensuring the release of Benschop and the “many like him who are languishing unnecessarily in prison when a second chance at life can be offered to them”.

GAWU Easter greetings
EASTER, which signifies the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the bedrock of the Christian faith, according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

The union, in an Easter message, enjoined Christians during this holy week of Easter to spread the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to all Guyanese.

“Sacrifice and hope, as in other religions, flow freely from that ‘Old Rugged Cross’ and even as all Guyanese join Christians in the more celebratory aspects of Easter – from cross buns to kite flying - GAWU urges the celebrants not to waste the promise of resurrection.”

GAWU said it is perhaps a measure of “how true devotees are to their beliefs which yields the realities of our existence here and elsewhere”.

“Man’s genuine practice of all that is good in his religion results in various levels of his spiritual well-being and all that flows from that.”

GAWU also recognised that Jesus Christ was amongst all other virtues, a representative of the lowly working class.

“He sought to challenge imperial, repressive authority aided by a powerful divine mandate. In the end, but as predicted by Holy Prophets, he was compromised by his own and by the grateful powers that be,” the union said.

Easter greetings from IAC
THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has joined others in extending greetings to all Guyanese during this festive season of Easter.

The IAC said it recognises the importance of the teachings of Jesus Christ - humanitarian, social reformer and proponent of the doctrine of non-violence - who preached about the brotherhood of man and disseminated the universal message of peace and goodwill among men.