The responsibility to build

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain said that nation-building in Trinidad and Tobago requires long-term social development and a commitment to communities that have been left behind. Speaking in a series for The Catholic News based on a Trinity TV program, the Archbishop argued that patriotism alone is insufficient to build the nation.

Archbishop Gordon described the country's crime crisis as a symptom of underdevelopment rather than just a security issue. Drawing on his experience working with gangs and gang leaders in Gonzales between 2003 and 2007, he stated that certain areas have been denied essential infrastructure, education, social welfare, and family support despite high national spending.

He suggested that these underserved communities should be provided with the country's best teachers, social workers, and amenities to support human flourishing. The Archbishop noted that while some institutions are world-class, the lack of development in specific pockets of society has contributed to the current social challenges.