“Unofficial” Press Release by Catholic Bishop Supports Teachers
This morning the media received a press release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize and Belmopan. The release expressed similar views as we saw in the Independence Day prayer delivered by Bishop Christopher Glancy. Sources tell us that this morning’s release came directly from Bishop Dorrick Wright himself. It states that the Roman Catholic Church is the largest stakeholder in education with upwards of fifty thousand children in its care. It states “These educational institutions are not the walls that make up our school buildings, but our teachers, the ‘beacons of light,’ who infuse these principles into the consciousness and formation of our children.” And that, “Today’s battle for truth in governance being championed by these selfless teachers, adds to a distinguished list of battles bravely fought on behalf of this grateful nation and its children.” But in a shocking twist late this afternoon, the Management of Catholic Public Schools announced that the document was not an official press release. Earlier today, when News Five contacted the diocese, we were informed that Bishop Glancy was out of the country; that Bishop Wright was unavailable for comment due to a medical appointment and that the information declared in the document was authorized by the bishop. The rep was aware of the release and made no indication that it was fabricated. But in an interview with News Five, General Manager of Catholic Public Schools, Sister Barbara Flores, says that the release does not represent the catholic management’s position towards the strike. While she did not go as far to say that it was fake, she claims that while the document has the official letterhead; it was not signed and she claims to be unable to confirm the author of the document.
Barbara Flores
Sister Barbara Flores, General Manager, Catholic Public School
“I had an opportunity to speak with the papal nuncio. The press release, as you can see, is not signed. As I was meeting with our managers, these are all assistant local managers representing just about every district, it came to my attention that this press release had been released. And so we were preparing for any eventuality with regard to Monday, going forward. So it was in the process of that planning that it came to my attention. I was in conversation, as you know Bishop Wright is not well and I wasn’t able to reach him and Bishop Glancy is out of country and so I then decided to have a conversation with the papal nuncio, but he is the apostolic nuncio to El Salvador and to Belize and he is the Pope’s representative to Belize and he’s also the diplomatic representative of the church. I just want to say that we, as far as the Catholic Public Schools is concerned and on his behalf and in his name, I speak that the diocese of Belize City and Belmopan supports—we have last week and continue to—support the fact that schools are to remain open.”
Let’s clarify some things …
1. Wasn’t it mentioned at the BNTU first meeting for the year 2016 that the intention of the union was to try and recreate a 2005 stunt? Wasn’t 2005 when a government change occurred in the country because of the mass political corruption done by the PUP? Aren’t the current problems the immediate aftermath effects caused by the then incompetent PUP that froze teachers’ increment, borrowed money from the people of Belize to pay off private loans for Universal, immigration scandals, stealing and mismanaging the finance of the country and running the country into debt that the now PM had to restructure into a superbond to try and attempt to pay off amongst others?
2. Do the people of people of Belize know that only 189 teachers from out of 600 registered members of the BNTU Belize District branch decided to plan this strike action; only 6 voted against. If less than half of the amount of teachers were present at the BNTU meeting, what does this say about the other teachers’ opinions. How coincidental it is that the PUP rally was right around the time of the teachers’ rally … Perfect opportunity to use the union to infiltrate and join with the PUP to try and get into the government. Briceno knows of the things occurring and slated to happen within the union as his wife is in the education sector as well as many of his relatives. Sounds like an attempted 2005 stunt to me. Belizeans, what do you think?
3. Was it not in the meeting that the 195 teachers said that they did not feel the support of the others with the 3% increment increase? Why fail to inform the people of the country that this was the reason for including the eight points so as to attempt to garner more support? All of a sudden it’s all about good governance!
4. Look at the rally … 6000 teachers might have signed up for the rally but notice that only about 2,500 teachers showed up … the PUP ones at that. Teachers know that this union is politically motivated! Look how many PUP teachers went out there.
5. Look at these characters:
a) Luke Palacio: Wasn’t he opting to try and hold a seat on the PUP slate just before elections?
b) Vice Principal of Belmopan Comprehensive: She tried to disrespect the Anglicans by trying to call out Mr. Faber and trying to big up the Catholics with incorrect information. Miss, Patrick Faber attended SJC so I guess when you said that his teachers didn’t teach him anything or a proper lesson please note that it wasn’t the people within the MOE that taught him, it was your Catholic institutions. Secondly, you lied about teachers buying pencils, pens and other equipment for students. Most students borrow from other students. Please stop exaggerating. All of you, as a union, should be fighting to get the MOE to set up a system that allows schools to receive materials to make life easier on teachers. Even with the 3% increase, if given, most teachers WILL NOT spend their monies on buying equipment and writing utensils for students. Then again ma’am, how exactly will this 3% increase for teachers and public servants help all the other people that don’t fall within this sector? Why should parents support? What are they getting out of this? Is it an increase from $150 to the $1,800 – $4000 per month that teachers are making and wish to increase by 3%? I have yet to see the reason to support. With this 3% increase, will our children learn to read and analyze well before they reach high school? Will our children score 80s and 90s on PSE and have 100% passes on CXC and CAPE?
c) Luis Wade: I thought that this man was an authentic pastor … I would never allow him to talk to me about Christ given his behaviour on his show and in the public arena. How can he get up and preach sermons after behaving like a hooligan in public. Isn’t this the same man that was being offered a post had the PUP won? Isn’t much of Plus TV owned by well known PUP, Julius Espat? All it seems like to me is that Wade has a personal vendetta against the PM and the UDP. I am trying to understand his “I want my Belize back” motto. Help me to understand. Are you talking about getting rid of the many immigrants that came into the country illegally by the then PUP … about 56% of the population is Mestizo/ Hispanic. Might I ask who let them in? He can’t be talking about some grand change that will return the country back to good with the PUP. It will only get worse … Mr. Wade … I will refrain from calling you pastor because you are hypocritical and do not exhibit Christ-like behaviour, why don’t you go witnessing to Mr. Barrow and pray with him and the other ministers? The Bible says pray for those in authority; he did not say try to degrade them.
d) Giovanni Brackett: If you are a Christian, then I most certainly don’t want to be a Christian. You are a complete hypocrite! Which Christian goes to a public forum and spits insults at others? You are like the people who betrayed Jesus and said many ill things about him and spat on him while he was carrying his cross to be crucified. How dare you bring the common man on camera to publicly say something like that? He will shut down the port? What authority does he have? He should go and take care of his children! For the life of me, please help me to understand why it is that you are targeting the UDP senators and the senator for the churches. Wait … weren’t you one of those promised a seat within the PUP just before elections? You are a snake in sheep’s clothing!
e) Micah Goodin: Wasn’t he trying to run for a post with the PUP? An avid Catholic at that? He couldn’t get into the House of Rep so he takes out his frustration and tries to cause calamity by using Amandala as his platform. “Pastor Rocke stabs the church in its back”. Firstly, you might be referencing the Catholics as the church but get this young boy the Catholic church does not speak for this country and since the Queen is the head of state then the Anglican church is the “church” of Belize. 56% Mestizo/ Hispanic does not change things! The Baptist Association and the Evangelical churches are the ones he represents. Wade and Stirm are trying to blast others through an illegal organization by using Plus TV. Then Goodin attacks Patrick Faber about his own inappropriate behaviour as a journalist. I get what you’re trying to do … using this as a political platform to try and get noticed and to possibly enhance your chances of getting into gov’t. News flash Micah … the people of this country spoke just a few months ago and the UDP won fair and square so get over it!
6. Why didn’t the two other senators get up to defend Pastor Rocke? Why didn’t the Baptist and Evangelical Associations stand up for this pastor? Did he write those things in the motion that he delivered? Why didn’t Howell or Thompson read the motion or Eamon? Did not Lizarraga agree with Pastor Rocke that he was right and that he had agreed with him? Did the the Catholic rep. not come out and said that the document written by the then ill Bishop of the Catholic church was a scam. It was never signed! Why doesn’t the Bishop speak up about this and inform the public about who wrote that document condemning Pastor Rocke? Why is Pastor Rocke the only one being attacked in the senate? Does the PUP not understand that the reason why the UDP has more reps in the senate is because they one fair and square? If the PUP wanted an additional seat point blank they should have won the last election which they did not so they ought to shut up!
7. How dare Channel 5 have Pastor Rocke’s daughter, Jamie-lee Rocke, read something so ill about her father. I could only imagine her in tears after. Why not have Marleni read instead? Well, wasn’t she there? Why didn’t she have all the stories on the prompter? Did she have to make things up as she went along? Did she even apply for that job or did all of you go seeking her out to do it? Then again seems like intentional PUP Channel 5 sabotage … expect nothing less from you people! Trying to make a young, black Creole lady seem incompetent, eh? Well, you all failed! Senator Rocke … Why don’t you try to clear your name? You sit there and don’t defend yourself. Insults should never be tolerated! Don’t take their intimidation. Stay in the senate. Your term is 5 years and PUP lost so they should shut up.
8. I think the MOE needs to start bringing in international and regional teachers into the education system. Belizean teachers take it for granted that they all have jobs. Competition is needed. Let’s see how many of the loud mouth Palacio’s, Young’s and Frazer’s will rise to the occasion or will the foreigners show them up. Most of the ideas and thoughts are by international people which are borrowed and used here. We need better teachers!
IF these are the people fighting to try and get into our government with their ignorance, political fervor, and know-it-all attitude this country will be in far more trouble. PUP is no better than UDP … that’s the facts and that’s the reason why they are still not in power after three elections. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!