Liberia: What A Friend We Have in Jesus!

editorial

"WHAT A FRIEND We Have in Jesus," is the title of an old Christian spiritual. It goes to say that all who toiled, and are heavily laden, should take their burdens, pains, and sorrows "to the Lord in prayers" because He knows "our every weakness". This is a song found in many old Christian hymnals; it might not match contemporary spirituals in the recognition God as the Creator before whom all knees must bow, and in whom all human endeavors must find meaning and substance. So, it would have been a poor choice of a spiritual in a Holy Ghost filled celebration. But for us at The Analyst, "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" is no ordinary song. It is a song that Liberia's advocacy community will do well to adapt, as their inspirational theme song, as their anthem. Here is why:

THE SONG WAS the theme song and inspirational guide of the man we stand before man and God today, to declare the "Advocate-in-Chief of Liberia and Father of the Struggle for the Rule of Law", Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, His Grace Michael Kpakala Francis. The Archbishop passed into the netherworld on Sunday, May 19, 2013, having suffered two deadly cardiac attacks that pushed him from the limelight of advocacy for nearly a decade. His passing is a big loss to us, because his views inspired the direction of our editorial policies and in a meaningful way, as well as our editorial contents. But not only that, his passing has left a void in the upward march to democracy, human rights, and national development in postwar Liberia. This is why we are not ashamed today to say, "What a friend we had in Bishop Francis!" The question we ask as we mourn, and yet celebrate the passing of the great hero of Liberia's forward march is, "Who will step into his shoe, snugly?"

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