Anglican Bishop Plans Meetings with Gangs, Police

Philip Wright

Crime remains a hot-button issue in the social discourse. This week’s news has been dominated by the police’s response to Sunday’s confrontation between elements of the Gang Suppression Unit and residents of the ‘Ghost Town’ area centered on Mayflower Street. Then on Wednesday, residents of the area rejected conciliatory gestures by Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams and Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett to mend fences. It does not escape us that Sunday was Palm Sunday, and therefore the start of Easter week, both traditionally a time for great celebration on the beaches and quiet reflection in the churches. Anglican Bishop Phillip Wright says his thoughts and prayers have been sent up for a quiet weekend, but just in case, he has also met with a few of the stakeholders in the fight against crime.

Philip Wright, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Belize

“Wearing a bit of the religious hat for just a moment, I think this week, for our Lord, is a reminder of those who suffer innocently in this world, and sometimes suffer because they try to do what is right. But beyond that, in terms of the wider society, I do hope and pray that this will be a safe weekend. There will be a lot of people traveling; we hope that they travel safely. There will be a lot of merrymaking, and we hope that people will let common sense and decency prevail. In terms of the crime, as you mention it, I will say that as the Council of Churches, we have taken some steps now to meet with some of the leaders of the police force, and possibly some of the gang leaders as well. And over the next few weeks, we’re hoping that that could bring forward some strategy in which we are going to try and address the situation that we are seeing in the society at the moment. We are all trying to find answers, and I personally believe the answer lies in us being able to work together.”