Members of the legal community were reminded that Christianity is the root and foundation of Bahamian society and of how Christianity was translated into rules for society and systems of governing for thousands of years by Reverend Laish Boyd, bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands during a service to mark the opening of the legal year.
Boyd told the lawyers that the service, which was held at Christ Church Cathedral, was a reminder to them that God is the creator of all life and the master of the universe in which they live. He reminded them that God sent His son, Jesus, to live and die, and rise again for them and all people, and that he invited his people into a closer relations with him.
The bishop also told the members of the legal fraternity that the church service was a symbol that God created justice and fairness and that they were called to facilitate, administer, dispense and promote that justice and fairness, not as something that they own, but as something of which they were stewards for a season.
"In humility and reverence, you are called to do this not principally for your gain, although we know and accept that you are gainfully employed, but principally for the common good and for the elevation of humanity, he told the lawyers.
The Anglican priest implored the members of the legal community to do their best and to not just look good or to impress. He encouraged them to serve the God who created them, reminding them that the integrity of the justice system as well as their reputations and integrity were at stake.
"You are not an island unto yourselves. You are one cog in a larger machine that is the nation, albeit a significant cog. As you pursue justice, uphold and encourage right, because national integrity is also at stake," he said.
Boyd reminded them that it was generally accepted that there are three branches of government -- executive, legislative and judicial -- and that as lawyers they were uniquely positioned as participating directly on a daily basis in the third branch mentioned. He said it was a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
"I exhort all in this noble profession to conduct themselves with the greatest degree of integrity in their personal and professional lives. While it is true to say that the majority of lawyers aspire to do so, there are the few bad apples that stain the reputation of the profession as a whole. I urge you collectively to do all in your power to expedite the process whereby unethical and dishonest attorneys are made to account for their actions in relationships to their clients especially."
He also spoke to the legal fraternity about a number of other areas which he needed more justice to prevail -- the Freedom of Information Act, which he said at this stage in the country's evolving democracy, there is no such legislation in place; He encouraged the media, the "fourth estate" to act responsibly in the execution of their duties and to practice "sound journalism".
He also expressed bafflement over the perennial debate concerning many Parliamentarians' failure to disclose financial information in a timely manner as required by law. He told them that he found it amazing that there was always disclosure by candidates to get on the ballot every five years, but very little compliance thereafter.
"This is inexcusable and needs to improve as it is setting an extremely poor example. It also appears to condone, and in some cases does condone corruption and a lack of transparency and accountability on the part of some our leaders, which should not be."
With value-added tax (VAT) a reality, he urged people to comply with the law, not only to avoid punishment, but to honor their duty as citizens, while at the same time urging the government to be as responsible as possible in the expenditure of the public funds at its disposal, and to be good stewards or managers of the financial resources entrusted to them.
"The more taxes you collect the more you have to be accountable for your expenditure of such funds. Spend what you get better than you do," he said. Boyd also encouraged the government to do a better job of collecting the taxes presently on the law books. He told the legal community that too many people get away without paying their fair share.
The Anglican bishop said he also found it disturbing that some big businesses were permitted to have outstanding electricity bills in the hundreds of thousands and allowed to continue to make use of the service, while some medium and smaller businesses and homeowners were disconnected for a few hundred dollars. Speaking to the cost of electricity, he said it was too high as urged the powers that be to have it reduced.
"God has blessed us with an abundance of sunshine, however, we are not using this sunshine as much to our advantage as we ought." He commended the government for permitting duty free importation energy efficient items to assist in reducing the cost. He encouraged people to avail themselves of them.
The Anglican bishop addressed issues that are a part of everyday life for people and which he said needed attention, prayer and action as they relate to the overall atmosphere of justice, fairness and integrity, and the reality of justice, fairness and integrity.
He told the lawyers that as they began the new legal year that they should do their part to move and shake on the issues facing the country. He told them to use their influence and ability to pursue change and make The Bahamas more just.
"We want the words of Amos -- 'But let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream' -- to be more and more our prayer and to be more and more the reality in our Bahamas," said Boyd.

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