A Religious Figure on the island has publicly voiced concern over the abuse of the justice system in Grenada.

Preaching the homily at a religious service to mark the opening of the New Law Year, Reverend Tessica Hackshaw sent a strong message to the authorities to stop playing politics with the justice system since it should not be used at people's convenience.

"Every man and woman, no matter of their status in society and the office he or she holds must be disciplined under the law," he told the gathering assembled at the Methodist Church. "Anyone who fights against justice will be defeated," he warned.

The homilist indicated that every student of law knows how necessary, yet how difficult the quest for justice has been, and continues to be. Rev. Hackshaw who is the Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church in Grenada said that because of the difficulties, there are those who look for ways to abuse the justice system.

He said that by their words and action, they show that they have no respect for the judgement of the judiciary, while there are those who look for a way to make it believe that they are above the law. He observed that there are those who feel that they cannot have their way with the system and look for ways to frustrate that same system.

In recent times Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, Jamaican Hugh Wildman, has taken swipes at High Court Judges accusing them of favouring defense attorneys. "Sad to say, we see it coming from some of our politicians in the region, top civil servants, attorneys-at-law, and even policemen and women", said Rev. Hackshaw.

"When the level of disrespect and disregard for the justice system comes from the top, it breeds a disrespectful and chaotic society, it leads to anarchy hence the number of law breakers increase," he added.

The clergyman was also highly critical of the ways in which the scarce resources of the country are being spent by those in authority. He questioned why police officers are forced to work and live in unsanitary, dilapidated and outdated conditions, and why judges and magistrates have to function in courts that are below the expected standards.

"Why do we spend hundreds of thousands (of dollars) to settle trivial matters in court and refuse to spend thousands to update and secure our records," he said. Rev. Hackshaw spoke of the need for people to walk within the confines of the law, noting that all class of people find themselves today behind prison bars.

He noted that in previous years the prison population was made up mainly of uneducated poor men and women but the situation has seemingly changed. "Today in our region we have politicians, lawyers, doctors, teachers, the wealthy and the poor, policemen and women, a mixture of all strata of society behind prison bars," he said.

The Religious figure linked today's situation with what was reported biblically in Judah in the Book of Micah. The first scripture reading at the service which was delivered by Registrar of the Supreme Court, Robert Branch was taken from Micah chapter 6, verses 1-8.

Rev. Hackshaw related that the message brought out by the Prophet Micah was as a result of the low moral of the people of Judah and the dishonesty being practiced by government officials. "Judah had lost her love above moral integrity," he said.

According to Rev. Hackshaw, Micah was troubled by the extent to which the people were involved in the sacrificing of crops, animals and human beings, and ignored the sacrifice of their moral, ethical and religious practices.

He said the prophet requested that not only must one be just to those he deals with, "but kind to all that need us." The Methodist Superintendent Minister called upon the judges and magistrates to discharge their responsibility with credibility, integrity and in the fear of God.

"The future of an orderly society depends heavily on how you carry out your assignments. The quality of your judgement can save the future," he remarked. Rev. Hackshaw implored the judges and magistrates whom he said have the power to change the society, not to be intimidated by destructive criticisms that will be levelled against them.

The religious service was attended by the Minister of Legal Affairs, Claris Charles, Acting Chief Justice, Brian Alleyene, High Court Judges, Justices Francis Cumberbatch and Clare Henry, and several members of the local and regional legal fraternity.