Church Senator Addresses Sexual Abuse Allegations against Evangelical Leader

Alvin Moses Benguche

Bishop Alvin Moses Benguche, the Senator for the Churches, has come out in condemnation of sexual abuse within the church. Senator Benguche is a spokesperson for the Council of Churches and the Evangelical churches in the upper house. In light of the damning allegations of sexual abuse against an evangelical worship leader in the Cayo District, Senator Benguche granted an interview to voice his support to those victims who have shared their experiences publicly. He also encouraged church bodies to establish policies for the safety of women and children.

Bishop Alvin Moses Benguche, Church Senator

“Certainly our hearts go out to those who in one way or another other would have been victimized. And certainly as a church body, as the person representing the church in the Senate, certainly I would want to pay serious attention to that. So, it is important to state first of all that certainly we are concerned about the allegations that have occurred over the last few days. I must say that as a church, as I have said on other occasions, that the church takes sexual accusations very seriously and it is one the church will have to continue to ensure it continues to not only deliberate but actually take action on. So, it is important to be able to point out that for the church in response to the accusation that has taken place recently, I have said before and said again that whatever comes it must go into the hands of the police and the law must take its course. Within the Belize Council of Churches and other denominational bodies we have made sure that they have in place a child policy whereby the child is protected by a safeguarding officer, one that the church has appointed and that the church feels comfortable will carry out this responsibility with all seriousness.”