Anglicans seek to strengthen morals of men

In most studies of the social situation in Belize and the Caribbean the fifty percent of the population that is male usually takes a licking. With so many men on drugs, in jail or avoiding their family obligations, it’s hardly surprising that our collective life often seems to be trapped in a downward spiral. But while the problem seems obvious, the solutions are not. This week one group in Belize City is trying to make a difference.

Alyssa Noble, Reporting
The Anglican Diocese of Belize today organized a prayer breakfast, the first in a number of events the community is organizing for specifically Belizean men.

Bishop Philip Wright, Anglican Diocese of Belize
?What we did was organize some Anglican men, priests and lay persons to meet with Dr. Binkley who is our guest speaker. And just to have a quiet time with him and to talk about some of the issues that are confronting the Church and the role the men could play, so the prayer breakfast was to provide that opportunity.?

Although the breakfast afforded some quiet time, tomorrow?s symposium is expected to be more anything but quiet.

Bishop Philip Wright
?In the wider society, obviously one of the things you can readily see is perhaps where men can play a more active role mentoring some of the young men and the younger boys that often seem to be the source of the trouble we?re seeing. The idea behind it is really to get men to look at what is happening within the church, in the wider society, in the family and so to speak, rise to the occasion to say we can do something about it, we can make a difference.?

According to Dr. John Binkley, confronting males on their moral and ethical obligations is a necessity, as the choices they make define their future ? and that of the larger society.

Dr. John Binkley, Guest Speaker
?Being a male is a matter of birth and being a man is a matter of choice. The better choices we make today, the better our level of life we?ll have tomorrow.?

And in case you?re wondering why these activities are being geared towards men only, event organizers, say ?no offence?, but women sometimes serve as distractions.

Bishop Philip Wright
?Every now and again, I think, we need to get men together and allow them to talk among themselves. It?s certainly not meant to exclude women, but sometimes I do think you have to focus, you have to have your focus group.?

Dr. John Binkley
?What we want to do is teach biblical principles to men. So that they know how to treat their wives and treat their children properly, biblically and to be the leaders in their homes, that God intended for them to be. So men, we want to address men on issues that confront them morally, confront them ethically, and we have found that when we have ladies in the meetings, we can?t speak to them quite as forthrightly as we need to.?

But hey, any conference aimed at enhancing the male role in Belize is okay by me.

Alyssa Noble reporting for News Five.

The symposium will be held at the Belize House of Culture Thursday night from seven to nine. Entrance is free and while males are strongly encouraged to attend, women will not be turned away.