Date: Fri 29-Sep-2000

BISHOP SPEAKS OUT ON LONG-TERM RESIDENTS ROW

BY PATRICIA CALNAN

WARNING that the island will never be able to supply all of her needs in all fields of endeavour, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda has appealed to locals to remain ``calm, rational and conciliatory'' in their efforts to resolve the vexed questions surrounding the fate of long-term residents.

The Mid-Ocean News has acquired an advance copy of the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray's message in the October issue of the Diocesan News , which is to be distributed to Anglican Church members on Sunday. In it, he writes: ``In recent times there has been much fevered discussion about those persons who have lived and worked in these islands for many years, yet without any assured status. ``They have given of themselves in a host of way to our society, enriching it by their participation in sporting activities, church life, voluntary work and other social activity.

``A number have had children who were born here and those children know no other homeland. What is to be done about such persons? Can they stay and on what terms?'' Bishop Ratteray goes on to note that ``at the outset of any discussions that involve nationality, work permits, `long-term residents' etc. are bound to stir up deep emotions, regardless of which side of the fence one may be on at any time.``This is particularly true in an island as small as Bermuda, where this are so easily magnified and exaggerated. There is a need, it seems to me,'' he adds, ``for there to be more reasonable discussion and much less emotion. It is when we allow ourselves to become too emotional that reason often flies

out the window.''

Noting that he can probably add nothing new in his own comments on the prevailing sitution, Bishop Ratteray says: ``I wish only to make some general observation that may help to lessen some of the pain and anger that seems to be prevalent in our homeland at this time,'' adding the observation that some points are often overlooked or ignored in the heat of debate. Listing seven main points, the Bishop points out that ``the use of the term `long-term resident', newly minted, is causing some disturbance in our midst. Yet I would contend that the majority of the residents of these islands, born Bermudians, status Bermudians, etc. are long-term residents! In the end, it is really only a matter of length of stay!''

He calls on Bermuda to come to terms with the fact that the island will never be able to supply all of her needs in terms of expertise in every field of endeavour, be it in business, education, or even the church: ``We need the input of foreigners,'' he states. ``The key to the success of most countries today lies in the recognition that interdependence is essential. ``So we ought to be doing everything in our power to ensure that we work together for the common good of all that live here. No one, local or non-local,'' he emphasises, ``should ever be made to feel unwanted, undervalued, or unwelcome in any area of our society. ``We should recognise that we are extrremely small, and act our size. There is no need for us to develop an inferiority complex, but size does matter. Twenty-odd square miles and just over 60,000 people do not amount to much in global terms! ``Part of our problem has been our exaggerated view of ourselves. We have sometimes thought and acted as if we can do anything any other country can do. There are limits to what we are capable of doing as a people.

``As uncomfortable as that may make us feel, it is a reality that we should<

face, and get on with the business of living.'' We need to recognise, he continues, how fortunate we are to live here in this place with so many advantages -- beauty, freedom, political stability and economic prosperity: ``We live in a world in which many of these things simply do not exist in a great number of countries. ``It appears that many of us are unaware of our good fortune to live in Bermuda, though she is an imperfect Paradise. All too many of us,'' he chides, ``spend our time complaining about what we do not have, rather than doing something positive to acquire that which we lack.''

On the subject of racial overtones that have dominated recent discussions, Bishop Ratteray calls for openness and discussion. ``Some view with alarm

Some of the things that have been said in recent times, especially their racial tone -- not I! For it is far better that such views, genuinely felt yet painful to listen to, are expressed, than that they go unsaid and lead to bitterness and resentment, and possible social unrest. ``It has been our failure,'' he points out, ``to openly and honesly discuss such matters as racism, and to deal with its consequences that has, in part, brought us to the current situation.``Such discussion makes many uncomfortable, for dealing with these matters brings to the fore, sad and painful memories from the past. We prefer, some of us, to forget those things.

It is by not confronting and resolving these issues that makes inevitable the kinds of scenes we have witnessed of late. It is good that we have at last begun to deal with our past, for its impact upon our present and future is undeniable. ``The road may well be difficult to travel along, but walk it we all must, so as to achieve an end that is just and right for all residents of Bermuda. ``It seems to me,'' Bishop Ratteray concludes, ``that we have an opportunity to deal with an issue that is of wide-ranging importance that has for too long been left unresolved.

The Minister of Labour & Home Affairs, Ms Paula Cox, is to be congratulated on her courage and determination to bring this matter to a proper conclusion. ``I trust it will be a conclusion that will be satisfactory to all of our people. We can, if we have the will to do it, arrive at a solution that is fair to all concerned.

`This, however, will only be possible if all of us are calm, rational and conciliatory. I have every confidence in the good sense of our people to resolve this matter in a way that will be mutually beneficial to all concerned.''