Pastor Fitzgerald Semper delivered a fiery Independence sermon on Sunday that challenged Antigua and Barbuda to confront what he described as the nation’s growing moral and social decay, warning that no country can be truly “solid” if it turns a blind eye to injustice, greed, and the erosion of values.
Speaking during the 44th Independence Thanksgiving Service at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Creekside, Semper moved beyond spiritual platitudes to issue a sweeping call for moral accountability—addressing issues from substance abuse to economic inequality.
“When casinos are popping up in poor neighborhoods, that is not solid,” he declared, drawing nods from the congregation that included the governor general, acting prime minister, and members of both political parties. “When millionaire and billionaire businessmen get all the concessions and still pass on the price to poor consumers, that is not solid.”
The pastor also denounced the accessibility of marijuana among minors and the prevalence of illegal firearms, warning that such issues threaten the nation’s stability and future. “When our young men can access illegal weapons and those who supply them walk free, that is not justice,” he said, condemning what he described as “wicked-hearted people who, for a few dollars more, do not care what happens when they put guns into the hands of youngsters.”
His sermon, themed around “Solid, Stable, Soaring,” tied social ills to a broader moral decline. He argued that spiritual strength and ethical governance must go hand in hand if Antigua and Barbuda is to rise above its challenges. “Righteousness exalts a nation,” he reminded worshippers, “but sin is a reproach.”
Semper’s message comes amid renewed public debate over violent crime, the legalization of small quantities of marijuana, and the rapid spread of gaming businesses in low-income areas. By placing these issues within the moral framework of national development, his words struck both a religious and civic chord.
The pastor concluded with a call for collective renewal. “We must speak blessings over our nation,” he urged, “and build a country that stands on truth, not corruption—on compassion, not greed.”
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Well said Pastor. But no one is listening. The nation is corrupt and we like it so. So save your saliva, your voice, and your passion. Simple example. We have over 15,000 persons in the civil service that needs a maximum of 5,000. So 10,000 people who gave the politicians their X have jobs. Some go to the job and have no work but get paid. Some do not go to work at all and get paid. They neither understand nor care that this is CORRUPTION. And this has been the system since forever to ensure that Antiguans and Barbudans would always be dependent on the politicians. PLM and UPP never tried to change the system and did the same. Corruption is now embedded in our DNA. We like it so.
@T. Davis Stop attacking civil servants with unfounded allegations. Where is the evidence that everyone in the civil service got their job for an X? Many persons were hired because their qualifications fit the open position. It is an insult to their years of hard work to state otherwise. How would you possibly know if a person has legitimate time off or not if you see them around the place? You are not their direct supervisor. Some jobs in the civil service are not full time jobs with full time pay. So, if a person has finished their tasks for the small amount that they are paid, they have fulfilled their responsibilities for the day. Some jobs do not have a specific location that a person must work from e.g. some persons who travel around the island to maintain certain construction equipment etc. The person does their duty regardless of where the location is. Unless you know the details of everyone’s work arrangements, you are out of line to make blanket statements about the entire civil service. Where is the evidence that only 5000 jobs are needed? As the population size increases, more services are needed. Perhaps the service could be made more lean in some areas but the private sector would have to expand to absorb all these extra workers. What are you doing to create private sector employment? Otherwise, there will be higher unemployment and even more lawlessness in the community. Do your part to create opportunities in the private sector if the number of civil servants bothers you so much. Civil servants are citizens too and often have had their own problems with low pay, poor working conditions, lack of equipment, management issues etc. Have you made any donations to national agencies etc.? Have you offered low cost food, housing, etc. at your private sector business or are you just chasing the rich foreign dollar leaving low paid workers to suffer? Constantly condemning people who are just busy trying to survive is not going to make them bother with anything you have to say to improve the service. Perhaps listen to the pastor’s comments about unity and treat your brothers and sisters in the service with more respect and then perhaps they will step up even more in their civic responsibilities.
The grandstanding at the 44th Independence Thanksgiving Service by Pastor Fis insulting to reaching of Ellen G White and my faith in humanity.
When the Pastor delivers this type of message about morality every weekend and through his community outreach day after day; then he can be seen as the real deal against the ills that plagued Antigua and Barbuda.
Things that are institutionalized cann’t be addressed by a “hit and run” sermon.
Just like he organizes church events, he needs to organize and be relentless against a corruptive unjust system to be credible messenger.
The church has always functioned as black folks group therapist and mental health services. It’s the place they turn to for some mental health relief from their daily burdens.
Our history and how the black church has protected and nurtured us through slavery and colonialism.
It has been the crucible and basis of every type of original black music; where we sang, clapped danced and shouted our troubles away.
Religious leaders have always taken advantage of the minds of struggling people.
When the Antigua and Barbuda Ecumincals Commission divorce themselves and stop supporting corruption in a manner like the preacher would to to see for drugs and gambling, I’ll see some merit in the sermon as reported here.
Otherwise they are nothing but false prophets and charlatans.
Surprise surprise! This pastor missed a great opportunity to address the politicians and dignitaries in attendance, and to highlight that the growth in crime definitely coincided with the relaxation of marijuana laws – and its use – a few years ago, which has played a major part in lawlessness in Antigua today.
What a missed opportunity by [sic] pastor Fitzgerald Semper!!!
It isn’t rocket science to see the correlation.
Our pastors, clerics and religious leaders must call out the sinful behaviour within the higher echelons of Antigua.
A true dereliction of their religious duties – one day they’ll see the light …
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