Alkaline Concert held at Sacred Heart with Restrictions
Alkaline
On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese was granted an interim injunction preventing Jamaican dancehall artist Alkaline from performing in concert at the Sacred Heart College compound in San Ignacio Town. The application was sought after it came to Bishop Dorick Wright’s attention that the venue had been booked for a one-night event featuring the controversial artist. While Justice Courtney Abel granted the court order, attorneys for Marine Promotions, the group responsible for booking Alkaline, as well as the church’s lawyers, met in an inter parte session on Saturday morning. The outcome of the meeting was amicable and the show was green lighted provided that Alkaline tone down his lyrics and performance considerably, much to the disappointment of his legion of followers. According to Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, their intention was never to upset the church.
Hubert Elrington, Attorney for Marine Promotions
“Well the injunction was lifted forthwith and it’s no longer in place and this was due mainly because my client felt that he did not want to upset the bishop in any way at all. So whatever they could do to give the bishop the assurance that their business is not to interfere with the Catholic morality at all, at all, at all. That that assurance was given or the undertaking was given that we would not do anything that will upset the bishop.”
Reporter
Hubert Elrington
“Sir, tell us about the reception of this particular decision. We know that yesterday the Roman Catholic Church was staunchly against having Alkaline perform at a Catholic venue.”
Hubert Elrington
“Yes, but they did not do so irrationally. They did so because they feared reasonably that Catholic morality was being put under attack and of course if you do that the bishop would not sit idly by. And even though we noted that he was not really a party to the contract and had no business in it we were prepared to overlook that and say to him Bishop we are on the same page with you. We are not here to upset you or your flock or the people of Belize. That’s not what we are here for.”
Michel Chebat, Attorney for Roman Catholic Diocese
“The change in position came about simply because the board of directors and management of Sacred Heart College had entered into a contract for this performance to happen today. The bishop, when the bishop learned of this he acted immediately to stop it. What happened today was that the promoters for this artists came to court and gave an undertaking, a very broad undertaking that he would not sing, act or do anything that would contravene Catholic principles and Catholic morals and in addition they have agreed that we are going to be videotaping the performance so that if we need to enforce that undertaking we will be able to do so. And so while it is not ideally what we had set out to do yesterday, at this point in time we are willing to accept that undertaking.”
Michel Chebat
Reporter
“Now sir, to those of us who are outside and don’t really understand that contractual requirements that have been put in place or whether you guys have compromised on that position of complete no.”
Michel Chebat
“Obviously, our intention has always been to stop this concert but we have to be reasonable also and we have to look at the repercussions for everyone involved. The church is involved, the promoters are involved and there are also people who have purchased tickets who are involved. Clearly I want to send out the message that the church does not condone Alkaline, does not condone his lyrics, does not condone his performance and unfortunately we could not stop him completely today from performing and from carrying out that concert but I think that today sent a very strong message that the bishop of this country is going to stand up for morality and for the teachings of the Catholic Church in this country. And so that in itself is a big victory.”
Alkaline also performed in Dangriga over the weekend.
