Counseling to be offered to 16 year old student
Norman Willacey
Earlier in the week, News Five spoke to Reverend Ruperto Vicente about Norman Willacey, the high ranking pastor of the Baptist Association of Belize, who was allegedly involved in a sexual relationship with a sixteen year old student. Vicente was very candid and made it clear that the association acted as soon as it became aware of the allegation. Vicente said they found out via the media. Willacey has since resigned from the pulpit and church and he remains on a fifteen day suspension during which he will have a hearing with the Ministry and the School’s Management. But what about that sixteen year old girl, has there been any support for her? That’s what we asked Vicente.
Andrea Polanco
“How did the Association reach out to that child?”
Reverend Ruperto Vicente, President Belize Baptist Association
“The Association and that’s the reason we had met with the family and we took into consideration that with the family’s permission, we provide some kind of counseling support for that young lady. We believe that what has been done is wrong and it is against God’s will and against the principle of the Baptist Association principle. We will give that young lady all the necessary support that is required.”
Andrea Polanco
Ruperto Vicente
“I believe in the text message that he sent to one of my colleagues, it was said that he, Pastor Willacey, said he had repented and told the child to do the same. Now the opinion of the public is that repenting will not change the situation; he must be held accountable for his actions. Is this the view of the Association; is it that if Pastor Willacey repents, it’s okay?”
Reverend Ruperto Vicente
“Let me explain this, we serve a forgiving God, and as an Association we believe this as Baptist, that he will not remove the consequence of the sins, the consequence will always be there and we will have to suffer the consequence. Pastor Willacey has admitted it, he has agreed. The Bible tells us that those who teach and preach will be judged more severely than those who listen and we understand that as leaders. Pastor Willacey understands that so he is gonna live with the consequence of his actions.”
Andrea Polanco
“The consequences, how would you classify those? Is it him resigning from the church, or removed from the school? What definition you give to the consequences of his actions?”
Reverend Ruperto Vicente
“The consequence can be many things. Today he is no longer the pastor of a church that means lot to a person. Yesterday you were a pastor, today you are not. Today you know you can do something for your church and now you can’t yesterday people were looking up to you and today they don’t; yesterday you had a job; today you don’t. We agreed that whoever becomes the principal of the Belmopan Baptist School will be closely scrutinized; watched and closely monitored. We also indicated to the manager of the school that there must be something in place and they must give me something in writing very soon, on actions that will be taken to protect young people who have been entrusted in our care. In this case, it is the Belmopan Baptist High School and in extension, the Belmopan Baptist Association of Belize. We are going to act responsibly and assure parents that yes; we are going to take necessary steps to protect their children while under our care and getting an education.”
I feel the Baptists handled this ugly problem wisely as an organization. A good example to other groups that will face comparable problems in the future.
I hope the girl can be healed adequately to get on with a normal and happy life. Adolescent sexuality has been a difficult thing since the beginning of time, and I don’t believe we will solve it here and now. I’m just glad I barely remember my adolescence! Somehow most of us survive it.
I don’t think this child needs anymore help from the baptise church we have seen their kind of counseling and it is all bad why is this man not in jail why why. I hope this mother sues this school and church for every thing they have for failing to protect the children and abuse of power also this has been going on for years this girl was a minor when this started , and she is only one why is he not in jail like the other teacher who was arrested immediately could it be because he is black the teacher wasn’t black and he was arrested before he was convicted willacey has admitted his guilt and he has not been arrested the race war continues unu Betta watch out if unu no black .
Please parents put sex education back in your homes, teach your daughters self respect, then they wont have to look to men to tell them things that makes them feel good. Women really also need to stop letting themselves become sex machine for these sweet talking men, who give them babies and leave them alone to take care of them. I have seen so many little girls asking men for wan lee 25cents, that is a door for these men to abuse these girls, parents need to become parents again and not wait for something to happen.
@Rod – Perhaps you’re not feeling well & your usual self….you completely forgot to blame the PM at all in ur post! 🙂
“Well” one thing we know “Rod” is not black. He can’t get to the pm so, now he trying to start a race war, typical political move. This man is definitely a “PUP” or he trying to start his own party. Maybe he is a republican, that is how they roll, when one thing don’t work, they start a race campaign.
So the baptist church will provide free counseling to the girl who was abused…Haven’t they done enough already? Are they providing any sort of compensation for the aggrieved mother? I hope that the parents seeks legal counsel and suit the mission for retaining a principal in a position(despite previous allegations) where he could further exploit little girls. I strong believe in the position that YU NOH PUT PASSAM FU MINE FOWL COOP!
what about the girl?? she is guilty too, because she accepted the money since the first time !! so (a woman permit until a man can get!) also, she even didnt care about herself in her life, she brokes the school rules, the education with her parent! so she knows what shes doing since the first time!!,,… this man has guilty is in : first thing his career the second thing his religion , the third thing the school where his works and the last his life cause he has wife he has family so why spoiled just like that for have sex with a unexperience young lady. in my opinion both are guilty …
If he was a white man from America he would be in chains and shakles like Mr Mello, this government is RACIST
ARE U PEOPLE SERIOUS “SHE NEEDS CONNSELING” U MUST BE JOKING, SHE IS AS GUILTY AS HE IS, SHE KNOWS EXCATLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING? DON’T FEEL SORRY FOR HER. SHE IS NO A 5YR OD OR A 10YRS OLD SHE A YOUNG LADY, WELL WAS KNOW SHE IS A GROWN WOMAN THAT KOWS WHATS WRONG FROM RIGHT. SHE KEPT GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS MAN SHE DID NOT TELL HER MOM WHAT WAS GOING ON.
We trust people that belong to church, because we believe they are least likely to hurt us, but they are human too & have the same desires. Nontheless, he should resign from any post & brought to justice. This girl is still a MINOR whether it was forced rape or concensual. Parents monitor your child’s activity whether they be male/female.
BEACHMAN TO ROD COMMENT. Beachman, I too was wondering how the heck Rod did not blame the P.M. for Mr. Norman Willacey action. Probably he is losing it or his cut and paste wasn’t working properly.
First of all these teenage students they love to flirt an temp man. they have hot …… They will do what ever it takes to get the attention from someobody in a high position. It is sad to know this happen to Mr Willacey. I guess he made the devil rob his soul with a tempting young lady. It is sad to know that Mr Willacey a man of true faith has made this horrible mistake. We all make mistakes in life. Thank God that God is a forgiving God.
PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES. TRUE CHRISTIANS FORGIVE. LETS NOT BE TOO JUDGMENTAL. THEY BOTH KNEW WHAT THEY WERE GETTING INTO.