Churches seek action on crime

Despite a mass public protest staged by the business community and the increased presence of security forces on the streets, it is clear that solving the problem of crime will take a long-term commitment. With this in mind, the Belize Council of Churches has organised a two-day event to highlight the need for replacing poverty and hopelessness with a sense of community and work ethic.

Pastor Moises Chan, V.P., Belize Council of Churches

“On Sunday, the twenty-fourth different denominations are calling upon their churches, inviting them to set aside that day specifically in their own church service, as a time for prayer, even fasting in their own individual churches. The idea of getting everybody and even the civil leaders of the country was that this is not only a religious problem, all of us are involved.

So the twenty-fifth, which is a Monday one way that we are doing this is that we would be fasting, beginning from 6:00 in the morning all the way to 6:00 in the evening in your own work and in the respective communities being involved. But then, to show our united force, at 11:00 throughout the whole country, we have designated different centres in each main town, and Belize City of course is going to be at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. And at 11:00 all the leaders will be coming together for a time of meditation, reflection and prayer.”

The Council of Churches has also made eighteen specific suggestions to government on the crime situation. These points range from the increased allocation of resources to specific amendments in the law.