The viral photos and videos of models in skimpy bathing suits, walking down the aisle of the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, has caused a lot of outrage among Christians with some people questioning the appropriateness of the situation.
We gathered that the embarrassing three-night fashion show was hosted by Styleweek Port-of-Spain and was held last week Sunday at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Trinidad.
Speaking with Guardian Media, Rev Kendrick Sooknarine said the fashion show was an annual event hosted by the church to raise funds for church repairs. He said this show was specifically being held to raise funds to fix the roof of the church, which is likely to cost between $2 to $3 million.
The event has caused shock and drawn disgust from several eminent religious spokespersons, including non-Christian leaders, who said a similar incident would not be allowed to happen in local Hindu and Muslim places of worship.
Reacting to the fashion show, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad, Rev Claude Berkley ‘strongly condemned’ the depiction of scantily-clad models in the church, saying it was out of order.
He begged the forgiveness of parishioners and the religious all across the country saying a church is not the place for such kind of fashion show.
“I believe that it was not bad per se that they had a fashion show, we’ve always had fashion shows, but it is that you had the fashion show within a space that was considered to be sacred.”
“On this occasion, we clearly missed the mark and we are deeply sorry! We, therefore, seek your forgiveness as we move forward in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God,” he said.
“Indeed, the depiction of scantily clad models parading along the aisle of the church offended individual and collective sensibilities locally and internationally.
“Let me state categorically that such a parade is completely out of order, inappropriate and is strongly condemned.
Our church has hosted fashion shows in the past and we have never come to this sad deterioration of respect and modesty,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The Bishop promised an investigation into the event and said appropriate measures will be taken to ensure it does not happen again.
Watch the video below: