Religious service marks re-opening of Supreme Court |11 January 2017

The need for judicial practitioners and the Seychellois people to unite even if we have diverse opinions came out clearly during the ceremony to mark the formal re-opening of the Supreme Court of Seychelles for the year 2017.

This year’s opening was held under the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’ and a religious service to that effect was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria spearheaded by the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Seychelles Denis Wiehe, with the participation of Archdeacon Danny Elizabeth of the Anglican diocese and Father David Alcindor, deacon of the Diocese of Victoria.

After going through a procession in Victoria, members of the judiciary proceeded to the Palais de Justice at Ile du Port where Chief Justice Mathilda Twomey delivered her speech.

Present were President of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor,  ministers, the attorney general, judges and Master of the Supreme Court, magistrates, registrar, secretaries of state, commissioner of police, members of the diplomatic corps, bishops, attorneys at law, members of staff of the judiciary, among other guests.

Stressing on the need for unity, CJ Twomey said this year’s theme for the Judiciary, ‘Unity in Diversity’, acknowledges these principles adopted by “we the people” in our Constitution and which has been discussed several times in the past months, and featured several times in the discourse of the new President, Danny Faure and in the discussions about our National Assembly.

“It means to see a person as inherently valuable in and of themselves, regardless of what they do or who they are. It means to value the diversity that they bring to the table while respecting their uniqueness,” she said.

In his welcome, Bishop Wiehe said the task of the judiciary is valuable to all of us as they enforce the value and rule of the land so that every citizen lives in security. And also asked for God’s blessings upon them as they gather to pray each year to mark the formal opening of the Supreme Court.

The bishop also had a special blessing for the judges and lawyers, court clerks and other court officials: “We plead for your abundant blessing upon all our judges and lawyers. Grant them the Wisdom of Solomon. May they always seek to protect the weak from the strong, the powerless from the powerful, individuals from unwarranted or unlawful exercise of power. Let their spirits soar as the eagle, let joy abide in their heart. May they heed the cry of the poor, the young and the old, setting free all those in need, and melting the hearts of oppressors, for the glory of your name.”

Archdeacon Elizabeth also stressed on the need for unity saying our ability to reach unity will be the beauty and test of civilisation and that unity in diversity is like a rainbow where every colour complements each other.

He said as it exists in every profession, there are ups and downs. He urged the judiciary to allow God’s spirit to guide their actions.

During the religious service there were also prayers by different faiths including an intercessory one from inmates of Montagne Posée and Marie Louise.

Seychelles NATION will come back on CJ Twomey’s speech in a future issue.

Souvenir photograph of the occasion