ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

President of the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches Bishop Bill Daniel has criticised the rededication of a cross near the Prime Minister's residence, as part of the 30th anniversary of the island's independence from Britain.

The ceremony was held on Sunday and Bishop Daniel said that his organisation was of the opinion that the rededication "is an open show of idolatry which is being forced on the nation under the guise of reunion".

Another evangelist, Peter R. Augustine, described the reunion activity as "idolatry" and called on the population to disassociate themselves from the activity.

"How can we as a nation in 2008 participate in such an idolatrous activity?

How can we dedicate to the Lord God an idol?

Call to rethink activity

"We should not condone such an activity, if we do, it will not go well for us as a nation," he said, calling on the national reunion committee to rethink the rededication activity.

Augustine said the cross, the property of the Catholic Church, has been the subject of ungodly activities.

"It is a known fact in Dominica that the cross, and the idol on it, has been a venue of much witchcraft, necromancy, obeah, sorcery, black and white magic," he said.

But speaking at the rededication ceremony, Roman Catholic Bishop Gabriel Malzaire reminded citizens about the importance of the cross.

"As we look upon the cross let us call to mind that on it Christ brought to completion the sacrament of his love for the Church.

"God has made the cross of Christ the permanent sign of his mercy," he added.

Dominica is undertaking a number of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of political independence from Britain, and the island has appealed to nationals, both at home and abroad, to ensure the success of the anniversary.