Stephon Nicholas
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has called for reflection on church culture following the murder of his sister in faith, Neisha Roberts.
Roberts, 40, was found stabbed to death at her Mt St George home on Wednesday morning. Police arrested a Trinidadian man after he allegedly fled to Port of Spain aboard the Galleons Passage. He was taken into custody as he disembarked the vessel at 2.15 pm on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Augustine said he knew Roberts well and described her as pleasant, helpful and never confrontational.
He recalled delivering the sermon earlier this year at the Mt St George Seventh-day Adventist Church, which Roberts had cleaned less than 12 hours before her death.
Augustine said Roberts may have unwittingly introduced her alleged killer to him.
“As is customary in our church, the elders stood at the door after the service to greet the congregation. Neisha approached me with a gentleman and proudly introduced him as her fiancé. I do not remember his name, but I vividly remember how unusually bubbly and excited she was,” he said.
Augustine said he left church feeling happy that Roberts had found love.
However, he said her murder had forced him to reflect on church culture and the pressures placed on members.
“Sometimes, without intending to, we make our single members feel as though singleness is a condition that must be urgently cured. We celebrate relationships so enthusiastically that we can become blinded to incompatibility or warning signs simply because we are relieved that someone has finally found someone. In our excitement, we may unintentionally place more emphasis on finding a partner than on finding the right partner.”
He urged people not to let the tragedy pass without reconsidering how members support and encourage those who are still waiting.
Augustine said people must be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing, adding that Roberts may have been deceived.
“Sometimes evil comes disguised as affection, and hatred arrives wrapped in the appearance of love.”
Expressing condolences to Roberts’ family, Augustine said they had lost someone whom they believed had no enemies.
“It is heartbreaking. It is unfair. I pray that God will surround her family and loved ones with His strength, His peace, and His comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.
“May Neisha rest in eternal peace.”
