'We have failed you & we are sorry'– Claude O. Skelton-Cline to young VI males
That section of the service, Sunday February 11, 2018, at the New Life Baptist Church was shared publicly on Facebook on the Honestly Speaking with Claude Skelton Cline page.
The apology came a day after two young Virgin Islanders, 24 year old Clevaughn Sweeney and 26 year old Michael Stevens, were killed in an execution style shooting on the main island of Tortola around 4:00 A.M. on February 10, 2018.
Mr Skelton-Cline, while addressing the young men present at his church, said: “This morning is not just about you coming to the altar. It's about us making a commitment not to fail you but to provide you with every advantage we possibly can, to fruitfully and successfully navigate your way through this thing we call life,” he told the youngsters.
Many persons have been calling on all stakeholders to address the issues affecting the youth of the territory. Government, churches, schools, youth groups and other non-governmental organisations all need to play their part in order to better cater to the youth.
There is no doubt that disorderly behaviour among young people have escalated. There have been incidents of public brawls, disturbances at businesses, shoplifting, lewd and vulgar behaviour and inappropriate use of scooters, just to name a few.
'Be more responsible for youth'- CoP
While a guest on Honestly Speaking, aired on ZBVI 780 AM, Tuesday November 28, 2017, Police Commissioner, Michael B. Matthews had asked parents and adults to be more responsible for their youth, especially as it relates to scooter use. At a press conference held at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force’s temporary headquarters, on January 29, 2018, he further explained that the biggest culprits of breaking the laws with motor scooters are the youth.
Prior to that, Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) said the school children were “wreaking havoc” in Road Town after school. Their behaviour was so bad that in December 2017 the Tortola Pier Park made a decision to ban all patrons aged 17 and under, unless accompanied by a parent or supervising adult who is at least 21 years old.
Better must be done
The public consensus is that the system has failed many of our young people and something must be done to stem the tide of them being lost to us. Prayers and programmes offered by the church are a start and everyone is invited to come on board.
Mr Skelton-cline ended his appeal to the young men with the apology, “I just want you to know that we are sorry and we want you to forgive us. We are not perfect but we can do better than we’ve been doing and we are committed to doing better than we’ve been doing.”
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20 Responses to “'We have failed you & we are sorry'– Claude O. Skelton-Cline to young VI males”
the talk-shop should stop because what going on in this place is no joke and standing up in a public forum not working::::you need to gather those young people who are willing sit and conversat; listen to them first hear what they are speaking about
hand as soon as the election was over; a set of hypothetical behaviour began: politics
There are many parents who are interested in having their children play tennis but 2 public tennis courts in East End isn't suffice. Its time to do right by the children of the territory...and ooh yes!! There are able Virgin Islanders who are "more than able" to coach the kids. It has been done before!
JUST DO IT!