Belize City, Wed. July 28, 2021– Two consecutive press releases were issued by the Council of Churches this week, and both expressed the council’s objections to the manner in which certain decisions have been made by the Government of Belize — without the churches’ input.

One of the main concerns referenced in the release was a statement recently made by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceno which seemed to transfer blame for the 10% salary cut imposed on teachers to the school management authorities, many of which are church-run. What he appeared to suggest is that, since the GOB reduced its payments to school managing authorities and not to teachers, it was ultimately those authorities that effected the cut. In its release, the Council of Churches described this statement as “grossly unfair.” The Council further stated in the release, “the Church supported the administration on this issue and implemented the pay-cut under the belief that it was for the ‘greater good of the whole’. The salary cut was to be a shared sacrifice embraced by the unions and the administration. Yet, despite the Church’s unwavering support, this government effectually betrayed the relationship by ‘blaming’ the Church for the teacher pay-cut.”

During an interview with Senator representing the Churches, Alvin Benguche, he said, “At the end of the discussion, after we met as a body we thought that after all that the Prime Minister had put before us, we thought that perhaps we should support the 10% cut with the understanding that it was a sacrifice that all persons across the board were to make and it was based on that understanding that the leaders of the church thought that it must involve a shared sacrifice and that all should be involved. We left with the understanding that it was not the Church nor was it management that would be responsible or should take responsibility for the 10% that came from the government, and the Church was asked to support such. “

The release also referred to the debate surrounding the Equal Opportunities Bill, and expressed concerns that the Church is not being fully engaged in that dialogue. It further stated that the Church would like to be invited to provide their input before a final decision on that legislation is made. Another issue addressed in the release was GOB’s recent introduction in the House of Representatives of a bill to legalize marijuana for commercial production and distribution, an initiative with which they are apparently proceeding without fully consulting the Church. The Council of Churches addressed this matter, and its position on the legalization of cannabis, in more extensive detail in a separate press release. In that second release, the churches said that they are “left to respond to pastoral challenges of societal ills without benefit of input,” which they find to be “inconsiderate and disrespectful”. The Council of Churches further asserted in the release that everyone in the society, and not the government alone, has a mandate to uphold mutual respect, justice, equity, and solidarity and must remain prepared for sincere dialogue.

The churches went on to express their view that legalization of marijuana would be detrimental to the country and that it would “enhance societal and moral ills already plaguing our country”. The release further stated that the legal consumption and distribution of marijuana will adversely impact the youth of the country, and will also divert the public’s attention from COVID-19, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases affecting the country. The churches also feel that through this decision the GOB may be inadvertently creating a gateway for the use of other illegal/illicit/prescribed drugs.

In speaking to the matter, Senator Benguche stated, “I can go on record to say that there would have been some consultation in so far as the previous administration was concerned, we heard by the way, that perhaps, it was not important to consult the church now because we had already made a decision and I am saying that perhaps that is not the way to go, because consultation, negotiations involves a process and in so doing that even if a decision was taken then as a Church body we would have had an ongoing discussion not only on the marijuana issue but on some other issue. “

“We need to have the courage to admit that there is a lot wrong with our nation. It is our patriotic duty to point this out, with all objectivity and sincerity. The rule of law has too often been disregarded, giving way to widespread impunity, leading to a progressive breakdown of good order. There is little confidence these days in our nation’s ability to enforce laws, and we believe that if the legalization of marijuana bill is passed that any regulations and enforcement thereof will be effectively disregarded,” the Council of Churches’ release said.

The churches expressed their hope in the release that their relationship with the Government will be returned to its “former strength and integrity” through the reopening of discussions on these matters and other matters affecting the greater good of the nation.