Roman Catholic vicar general Fr Martin Sirju says a darkness has permeated Trinidad and Tobago resulting in hoarding and lack of compassion. He said people were facing their “personal darkness” which manifests itself in the huge demand for hampers and the existence of empty cupboards.

Sirju made these comments as he delivered the homily at yesterday’s Christmas Day service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain.

Further afield, Sirju said global “darkness” had led to a leading powerful nation enforcing heavy taxes on other nations. He said the looming threat of war between the United States and Venezuela could “cause them to bomb us”.