Photo: Hon. Francis Fonseca, Chairman of the NCC

by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Fri. Sept. 1, 2023

The Belize Council of Churches (BCC) has voiced its disappointment with the National Celebrations Commission’s (NCC) over plans to hold the annual 10th of September Citizen’s Parade on Sunday, which is the day on which the 10th of September falls this year.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the BCC states, “Not only is Sunday a recognized day of worship for the churches, but the very proposed time and route of the parade will seriously disrupt the well-established and long-standing worship services of several churches.”

In previous years, the commission had held the parade to Monday if the 10th landed on a Sunday.

This year’s decision, however, seems to have been made without consultation with the churches, and the BCC is asserting that the government has bypassed a key duty by not seeking the views of the Council and its members, as they form an essential part of the government and society that continuously serves the country.

They also pointed out what they consider to be the inconsistency between the unilateral decision that was made and this year’s September theme: “Hope Ignited, Hands United, and Vision Renewed.”

“We therefore respectfully ask that this decision be aligned with past customs when September 10th fell on Sunday and use Monday, September 11th, for the parade,” the Council pleaded at the conclusion of its release.

The chairman of the NCC, who is also the Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Hon. Francis Fonseca told us today, “I don’t mean to be critical, but we often talk about respect and consultation with the Council of Churches. We have an open-door policy with them. They did not speak to us; they did not come to the commission and say we have this concern. They put out a release. I got the release from the media. So, I think that’s troubling.”.

The Loyal Patriotic Order of the Baymen is the body in charge of the parade and, according to Fonseca, is not planning on changing the dates.

“We consulted with them today, and their position is that they want to proceed with the Citizens’ Parade on the 10th despite the fact that they have heard and listened to and respect the concerns of the church. And we do as well. The National Celebration Commission, we understand the position of the church. But we believe that the parade, as the patriotic group has said, can be done as they do every year in a very respectful, celebratory manner that will not interfere at all with church services,” he said.

Fonseca further noted that the NCC, while it does understand the churches’ position, also believes that bringing up such concerns so late into the calendar, after months of prior preparations have taken place, is quite unreasonable of them.

He further noted that even the Minister of Religious Affairs was consulted amidst the planning.

“I asked him if the Council of Churches had reached out to him. He said no. They did not reach out to me as the chairman of the National Celebration Commission. They simply put out a release when they know that we are accessible and available to them if they wanted to discuss this matter,” he stressed.

We also spoke with Senator representing the Churches, Hon. Alvin Benguche, for comment on the matter.

“It would have been at least decent, insofar as the church is concerned, to have at least had some kind of communication before the decision was taken; or let’s say that the decision was taken, could we have sat down at some point in time to reflect on, as to a strategy and a way forward in which the churches, which meet primarily on a Sunday, would not be adversely affected? I think these are the things that we are extremely unhappy about,” he explained.

The BCC’s press release also noted their concern over the fact that the government has reversed its prohibition of alcohol sales on Good Friday holidays.

“That again, we were never communicated with, on. And I think if there is no other body that must speak to that situation, it must be the church,” he added.

Both parties however, highlighted the need for unity as the start of the September celebrations, a time of civic pride, draws near.