The naming of Dr Patrick Allen, two-term president of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists as governor general-designate of Jamaica, has effectively abolished the concept of the separation of church and state.

Dr Allen is not an ordinary church member. As president of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists, he was responsible for all Seventh-day Adventist churches and institutions in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and The Turks and Caicos Islands - a total church membership of 251,600; Jamaica's membership being 229,600.

He reports directly to the Inter-America division of Seventh-day Adventists, headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States.

His religious and spiritual influence is not only confined to Jamaica, it is comprehensive and far-reaching.

As governor general, Dr Allen will not be able to put his religion in a blind trust in order to avoid conflict of interest between the church and state. To what extent Dr Allen's religion will affect his work as governor general, no one can say for sure. Dr Allen himself does not know because he has not yet been sworn in as governor general where he will be faced with the weight of responsibilities, ceremonial and otherwise. Our best guide is to rely on the old adage: 'prevention is better than cure'.

It is apparent that the appointment was done in haste and the focus has been centred on the appointee's religion. A thorough background check should be undertaken on any appointee to the position of governor general, to determine if the appointee has allegiance to any country other than Jamaica, in order to avoid Constitutional problems.

I am, etc.,

DONALD G. MORGAN

donrub9@verizon.net

Former pastor

and educational secretary

West Jamaica Conference

of Seventh-day Adventists