The Very Reverend Father Athanasius George Williams has addressed the misconceptions within certain Christian circles about the role of artists who perform secular music.
The Reverend Father delivered an impassioned homily at the funeral service for the late soca sensation, Ricardo Drue.
Addressing a crowd of many soca performers, Father Williams encouraged the creative community to embrace their divine gifts and use their talents as a force for positive change.
Father Williams spoke directly to the artists present, acknowledging the challenges they face in a world that sometimes misunderstands the intersection of faith and creativity.
He delved into the prevailing notion within certain Protestant and evangelical circles that artists, including calypsonians, reggae artists, and soca artists, are engaged in pursuits deemed sinful.
“Let us understand in the world of Protestantism and evangelicalism, those who seem not to understand creation and culture, in their world, the world has fallen to sin,” Father Williams remarked.
Father Williams went on to challenge the misconception that artists are agents of the devil, emphasizing that the creative gifts bestowed upon them are divine blessings from God.“Your gifts and talents are not given by any devil. You are not meant to be workaholics; you are meant to be at leisure with God, who created us in the spirit of play, joy, and laughter,” he proclaimed.
The homily urged entertainers to recognize the dynamic nature of culture and to use their talents as a means of positive societal change. Father Williams emphasized that artists, including Ricardo Drue, play a vital role in society and should not be seen as adversaries but as “gifted people of God.”
“There is a moment, a time for everything, according to the scripture passage. We must retain a stinging critique towards perceived materialism, profanity, and sexual laxity that one can categorize as excessive, especially during the Carnival season. But let us focus on the great attributes of beauty, love, and talent in performers,” Father Williams encouraged.
He concluded his message with a powerful vision for the future of entertainers, urging them to continue their creative pursuits and contribute positively to the growth of culture.
“I want to encourage all of you this afternoon to continue to sing and play on. Play on and continue to sing,” he declared.
“When the young generation hears songs like ‘Last Man Standing,’ they will ask who the singer is, and your response will be, ‘This was Ricardo Drue, a young soca artist extraordinary from Antigua and Barbuda.’”
In this moving homily, Father Athanasius George Williams offered solace, encouragement, and a profound call to embrace divine creativity, ensuring that the legacy of Ricardo Drue lives on in the hearts and performances of the talented entertainers he inspired.
