Guyana Chronicle
April 13, 2001

OUTRAGE mounted among church leaders and other Guyanese yesterday at the attempt to burn down the world-famous St. George's Cathedral in Georgetown.

Quick work by alert parishioners of the Anglican cathedral, who live just a stone's throw from the church, averted what could have been a catastrophic end to a National Heritage.

The fire was started about the same time another was sweeping through the old GRL building at Water and Holmes streets, also in the city.

The Bunbury family, at around 01:45 hrs yesterday, were on their way to see the fire raging at Water and Holmes streets when they noticed fire on the north-western stairway of St George's Cathedral, on North Road.

Recalling the event to the Chronicle yesterday, Ms Jem Bunbury said a friend had telephoned the family about the Water Street fire and they decided to visit the scene using the family's mini-bus.

Leaving North Road the family was about passing the cathedral to enter Carmichael Street when one of them noticed flames on the stairway and about to climb the side of the building.

Bunbury said her son-in-law Darwin Bowman immediately stopped the bus and along with a few other relatives doused the blaze.

Bunbury said she proceeded to the Deanery to inform Dean Trellis of the fire.

On seeing a female guard on duty, she said she told her what had happened and asked that the Dean be awakened.

According to Bunbury, after several minutes of calling by the guard and no response, the guard suggested that she leave and said she would handle the matter.

But Bunbury said she instead retraced her steps to her home and used her telephone to call the Deanery.

The call awoke Dean Trellis's wife who related to her husband what the church member had said and the Dean and wife immediately left for the scene.

Bunbury said the area smelled strongly of kerosene, "all over the steps, all over".

An active member of the church, Bunbury called on the public to remember that the St George's Cathedral is a place which the Guyanese people should always seek to protect and not destroy, and not be brought into a political war.

"Keep our church out of it, in fact all churches, all mosques, all temples", she said.

Dean Trellis, obviously shocked at the event, wondered aloud who would ever want to perform such an act.

He noted too that the building was not only a place of worship for locals, but also for a number of foreigners.

Anglican Bishop Randolph George and Catholic Bishop Benedict Singh, in a joint statement called the attempt to set fire to the cathedral vicious.

"This vicious attempt to destroy a building which is not only a place of workshop but also our most cherished National Heritage Building, points to the extent to which things have gone out of control.

"We are not dealing with political rhetoric but with an evil plan to destroy", they said.

In an invited comment, President of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr George Jardim said, "This is a ridiculous situation. No Guyanese should consider such a thing for any reason."

President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Mr Fazil Ferouze said it was "a most reprehensible act, and I call on all Guyanese to condemn this act of sacrilege."

"Churches, mosques and temples are places of worship and should be free from any acts of violence. People should not try to harm the worshippers", he said.

Ferouze said he was in solidarity with his Christian brethren on the issue and called for peace and respect for every individual of all races.

He remarked that people should not attack innocent people or places but should instead try to settle problems at suitable places through discussion and dialogue.

"Any destruction and burning in the streets in the city cannot be condoned, since it leads to suffering of the entire society."

Mr Haseeb Yusuf, Head of the Guyana Islamic Trust said, "The unfortunate attempt to set fire to the cathedral is a ghastly act, as the cathedral is not only a place of worship for Guyanese but a part of this country's national heritage and symbolises the diversity of our society."

"We are calling on all decent-minded citizens to uphold the rule of law and to work towards the maintenance of peace and stability within our society."

Mr Charles Gittens, Secretary, Guyana Council of Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) said that over the years "churches have been places of refuge, and even in 1976 some church schools began and were housed in churches."

"As such, any attempt to destroy the St George's Cathedral would be totally condemned by this organisation.

"Churches symbolise saving humanity since when you destroy a church it is similar to destroying humanity. Our 39,004 SDA members throughout Guyana, strongly condemn any attempt to burn or destroy any religious edifice, be it a church, mosque or temple." (WENDELLA DAVIDSON)