Council’s Decision is Final; Catholic Request Overruled
According to the President of the Belize Council of Churches, the call for Senator Rocke’s resignation came from other areas of the religious community but was never sanctioned by the organization. While the Roman Catholic Church individually requested his removal, as a member of the council it stands in solidarity with the collective decision to have Rocke remain a senator.
Rev. Roosevelt Papouloute, President, Belize Council of Churches
“In relation to the call for the senator to step down, we want to make it clear from the Belize Council of Churches that that call didn’t come from us and we are fully against that call. Our call is in support of the senator to continue until we, the Belize Council of Churches, in consultation, in association with the Belize Evangelical Association, who made the recommendation the first time that Senator Rocke be our representative, make such a decision. Any call that comes from anybody else doesn’t get our support.”
Roosevelt Papouloute
Isani Cayetano
“Now in the wake of the vote last Wednesday, the Roman Catholic Church also issued a release asking for Pastor Rocke to step down as a senator as well. I notice that Bishop Glancy was here earlier, correct? Can you share with us what was his position coming into the meeting, as a representative of the Catholic Church?”
Rev. Roosevelt Papouloute
“Well to be fair, Bishop Glancy was not present we were discussing that part of our meeting. He had already left, so I cannot comment on that position.”
Phillip Wright
Isani Cayetano
“But can you comment on the letter issued by the Catholic Church on Thursday where, as a member of the Council of Churches, that particular organization was calling for Senator Rocke’s resignation?”
Bishop Phillip Wright, Vice President, Belize Council of Churches
“Well I think any individual member of the council can indeed express their opinion. The question is whether or not the council on a whole is bounded by that and we are saying that it is not and therefore our recommendation or our position now, as a council, having met is that we are not asking for the removal of the senator.”
I can not believe how the church can agree to a government to continue damaging our country. But one thing I can be sure . The P M must have sweeten them with something. Probably to appeal the decision of the C J on the gay problem.
Real Christians don’t judge, and the Catholic church is the last one who should have any say with their reputation.. Just saying…….
The churches want to ensure that the anti-gay laws remain on the books and will sacrifice the well-being of their Belizean flock to get it. But when they make this Faustian deal with the government, it’s not just gay people who will suffer. Even before the Chief Justice’s ruling it was not just gay people getting shot in the streets, or suffering from poverty.
Let’s put this in plain terms: The churches hate gays more than they love their Belizean people.