Council of Churches’ ICJ Support Receives Criticisms
On Tuesday the Belize Council of Churches came out in support of taking the Belize/Guatemala disputer for final resolution at the International Court of Justice. In a statement, the Council said that the matter should be resolved at the ICJ as it is in the best interest of Belize and the people. The council represents Roman Catholics, the Salvation Army, Anglican, Methodists, Adventists, and Presbyterians among others. But according to Pastor Louis Wade, the Council of Churches does not represent him, his church or denomination. Wade took to Facebook to protest the church’s position, saying that “The Council of Churches and the Church Senator continue to erode the confidence of the Belizean people as it relates to being an unbiased, neutral but spiritual authority in national matters.” Wade is not the only person who has taken issue with the council’s statement. According to B.N.T.U President Senator Elena Smith, as a member of the Catholic Church, she was never consulted and cannot support something she was not part of.
Senator Elena Smith, President, B.N.T.U
Senator Elena Smith
“I am a member of the Catholic church. No one consulted me to ask me whether agree with a yes or no but yet the churches are saying that is their position. They are asking their congregation to support that. How can I support something that I was not a part of? So it is the same with our members. Our members cannot support something if we go there and we say a yes or a no and they are on the opposite end. They will not support us so it is really unfair on us to put forth that position when our members are still asking more time to be better informed to make their decision. So they will do that on their own. The probably consulted with their council or their top…”
Hipolito Novelo
“But not their flock?”
Senator Elena Smith
“Exactly. Who makes up the church? All of us. I am not sure if the other churches did that but as I said I have not been consulted by my church.”
Hipolito Novelo
“So your issue is that you were not consulted or the position they took?”
Senator Elena Smith
“You cannot put forth a position for an organization, a group of people without consulting them.”
B.N.T.U. will hold an impartial forum on the topic on March eight in Belmopan.
