Religious service, procession mark re-opening of Supreme Court |11 January 2018

The Supreme Court formally re-opened yesterday under the theme ‘A judiciary that we can trust’.

The ceremony kicked off with a religious service at the St Paul’s Cathedral attended by judges, lawyers, court clerks and other court officers.

The service was presided over by Anglican Archbishop James Wong with the help of Father Danny Elizabeth, Father David Alcindor and Deacon Willy William.

Bishop Wong prayed to bless all the actors of the judiciary and the relationship between the judiciary and the people of Seychelles.

“We trust God to give them the inspiration in their judgement in their work especially according the theme,” he said.

He stated that most of the readings and scriptures were in line with the theme of trust.

“When we talk about trust we talk about mutual respect and we are asking God to bless the members of the judiciary so that the trust can be seen in action by the Seychellois,” he said.

Archbishop Wong said he hopes the trustworthiness improves on the existing relationship between Seychellois and Judiciary.

He said Seychellois will need to have the same spirit of trust towards the judiciary as a child has towards their parents so that we can grow together in this judiciary that we can trust.

“A child always trust their parents no matter what because of the good relationship and love which exists and this is the spirit we want,” he said.

Prayers of other faiths were also read by members of the courts -- Hon. Justice Bernardin Renaud (Bahai’i), S. Rajasundara (from Bhagavad Gita), James Mukuwa (Seventh Day Adventist), Vanessa Gill (Anglican), Marie-Annette Nicette (Roman Catholic).

The choir was assisted by the children of the Perseverance school choir who are also members of Care.

Members of the public also attended the service.

The religious service was followed by a ceremonial parade led by the brass band and Seychelles Police platoon. They marched up and down Independence Avenue, to the Clock tower and ended at the Victoria Gymnasium car park. This was followed by a motorcade with police escort to the Palais de Justice where the Chief Justice Mathilda Twomey addressed members of the legal profession.