Churches Tell Senate Punish the Guilty

Philip Wright

Senator for the Churches, Ashley Rocke, has told News Five that he believes he has seen enough of the public testimony for the Senate Special Select Committee. He also opined that public officers are as much to blame as ministers of government for the breakdown in services at the Immigration Department. We spoke to two members of Rocke’s constituency this week for their opinions. President of the Council of Churches, Roosevelt Papouloute, told us he would defer to Senator Rocke’s point of view but expressed hope for a positive outcome. Meanwhile, Anglican Bishop Phillip Wright expanded on what that outcome might be – justice for the country and punishment for the wrongdoers.

Bishop Philip Wright, Anglican Diocese

“There’s no doubt that tremendous reform, I believe, is necessary; I don’t know the extent to which the wrongdoings will be proven in terms of the individuals involved. But it is clear that a number of things have gone on in that department which have left a number of us wondering to what extent is this what we are seeing a level of corruption or mismanagement. I hope the Senate hearings, above everything else, will give us a clearer picture of the truth as to what exactly happened, and if necessary, those who need to be held accountable, should be held accountable.”

Roosevelt Papouloute

Rev. Roosevelt Papouloute, President, Belize Council of Churches

“We want the process to be fair; we want it to achieve the goal for which it was set and we are looking for a positive result out of the inquiry.”

Bishop Wright also expressed displeasure on the attack on the press at the May seventeenth session but averred that members of the press should remain responsible and neutral in their reporting.