The Progressive Liberal Party joins millions of people from around the world, all faiths, cultures and creeds in honoring the memory of His Holiness Pope John Paul II; and we particularly express our profound sadness and sympathy to the Archbishop, Clergy and members of the Roman Catholic Diocese and Prefect Apostolic in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

The PLP shall be forever grateful to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, who on his brief visit to Nassau on February 1st, 1979 left behind a poignant and touching message, which touched the hearts and minds of the Bahamian people.

It is a matter of history now that then Prime Minister The Right Honourable Sir Lynden O. Pindling speaking at the PLP’s Annual National Convention later that year said that the message of humanity from Pope John Paul II had touched him in a unique and powerful way and had inspired his PLP Government to launch the ambitious Great Social Revolution.

Those words from Pope John Paul II as echoed by the late Sir Lynden Pindling in Convention were as follows: “Guide the Youth, Assist the Poor, Comfort the Sick, Care for the Elderly. Bring Peace to every heart.”

Prime Minister Pindling using the theme and might of the Pope’s admonition launched the great Public Housing Programme which saw houses being built in Elizabeth Estates and saw additions to Yellow Elder Gardens, the introduction of the Grants Town Urban Renewal Project, the re-intensification of the mandate of the then Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Affairs, the building of a series of community clinics and the commissioning of several senior citizen homes; the re-tooling of the National Insurance Board to bring social service benefits to the Bahamian people hitherto unknown and the building of several primary, junior high and secondary schools.

It is also a matter of history that the then PLP's Social Revolution was tied fundamentally, philosophically and ideologically to the message of the Holy Father.

The PLP can give testimony to the world at large that we in the Bahamas were amongst the very first beneficiaries of the great Christian mission of Pope John Paul II. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is today the much better for the Pope's endearing words of compassion.

The memory of the Holy Father’s visit to the Bahamas, his great message on that night at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center, the impact of that message on the hearts and minds of the Bahamian people and the Government and the adoption of the principles and moral right of that message is the legacy that the Holy Father has left in The Bahamas.

Pope John Paul II legacy is an international one. His message of peace in the Middle East and his empowering charity in the midst of international conflicts will bring towering remembrance to all humankind of his Christian charity.

We will forever remember him in The Bahamas and we will continue to pray for the wider Catholic family.

May his soul rest in peace.