Roman Catholic Church Calls for Church Senator Ashley Rocke to Resign

Ashley Rocke

There is a pronounced rift in the Council of Churches tonight following a vote on Wednesday by Senator Ashley Rocke. Rocke first spoke in support of a Senate Select investigation on the special audit and would then vote against it.

Ashley Rocke, Senator for Churches

“I also rise to give support to the inquiry. The Church feels that in observing the style of the Prime Minister over the years, whenever there was a concern, he would put an inquiry in place. And so in looking at that and appreciating that, we feel that because there has been disquiet even among the government officials that it is only right that some kind of inquiry be brought to bear and so we are agreeing with the member that this inquiry ought to take place. And so we support the inquiry.”

The abrupt change in vote came as a complete surprise and reaction has been fast and swift. This morning, the Roman Catholic Church issued a rare and unprecedented statement publicly calling for Rocke’s resignation. Bishop Dorick Wright expressed grave disappointment with Rocke’s vote. The statement reads: “The Catholic Church wholly dissociates itself from such position. Senator Rocke is tasked with representing the Belize Council of Churches, the Evangelical Association of Churches and the nation’s democratic ideals. The Catholic Church has lost confidence in Senator Rocke to represent the Roman Catholic values on behalf of our faithful. We therefore call upon the Evangelical Association of Churches, as substantive majority in the Belize Council of Churches, to demand the Senator’s immediate resignation.” The Church is also of the view that “transparency and accountability are bedrocks of democracy and the Church, as a matter of national importance, supports and remains prepared to participate in any constructive efforts in this regard. We call on all Belizeans to take note of how our pillars of democracy are being compromised. This is a time in our nation that requires fervent prayers for God’s intervention.”