"Welcome Barack" - a comment from Bishop Harold
The world wakened this morning with a degree of excitement at the election of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States of America. This is an amazing achievement!
I can remember, as a student in the 1970's working in New Jersey, being shocked at the attitudes towards Black People even in the Northern States. Again, in the 1990's, having just visited the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, I heard some very similar and disparaging attitudes.
So, the election of Barack Obama is a real step forward in the total integration of Black People in the USA. Thank God!
One of the questions asked on BBC Radio Ulster this morning was 'what would you advise Barack Obama to do first?' My answer would be 'pray!' And, we too, should pray for him (especially with our New York State link with Albany Diocese). Pray that he may give Godly leadership. Pray that he may lead the United States in a way which allows that great nation to be a blessing to the world. Pray that, with his Kenyan background, he may be able to release the few billion dollars (a small proportion of what was released to save the banking system!) which will make the United States leaders in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
So, welcome Barack Obama as president-elect. He holds out real promise in so many areas, but has got himself the biggest and most challenging job in the world.
+ Harold Down and Dromore
5th November 2008