There is a firestorm building over controversial remarks made by Evangelical Pastor Scott Stirm. Tonight, the Garifuna community has come out strongly over recent remarks made by Stirm in reference to their spirituality. The firebrand evangelist appeared before an international congregation where he spoke undesirably about the spiritual practices of the Garifuna people, particularly about […]
Well-known Belizean historian and Garifuna activist Sebastian Cayetano has also weighed in on the controversy. While expressing disappointment, Cayetano also makes a striking observation in respect of the gradual breakdown of certain aspects of the Maya culture. Sebastian Cayetano, Garifuna Activist “I am particularly disappointed by the statement because we Garinagu we believe in […]
Built with Petrocaribe funds, a chapel was today inaugurated on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital compound. It will be used by religious denominations across the board and according to hospital authorities, while it will serve as a place to offer comfort and consolation; it also helps those at the hospital who administer healthcare. News Five’s […]
Easter, like Christmas, is a special time of year. While many celebrate the birth of Christ on December twenty-fifth, they also mourn his death on Good Friday and honor his resurrection on Easter Monday. The Christian festival is a time for religious worship, as Christ, the only son of God gave his life to wash […]
The annual Belize Gospel Expo takes place this weekend in Belmopan at the May Gordon Park, near the University of Belize. The expo was created to showcase the talents of young Belizean Christian artists, who will join the stage with Gospel singers J.D. and J Prince from Trinidad. Prince touched down in Belize this afternoon […]
Every year we get the traditional messages of Christmas happy tidings and goodwill, of peace and all things holy and joyful. And that’s a good thing because Christmas is a time for joy. But it’s also a time when bad things happen, as they do all throughout the year, and that’s where the very real, […]
With the Christmas holiday weekend just a few hours away, downtown Belize City is alive with activity. While it is easy to get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas, the church is using this opportunity to remind the public that Christ is the reason for the season. News Five caught up with Canon Leroy […]
There is great unrest in the core evangelical church structure in Belize tonight, following a distinct split in the previously powerful Belize Association of Evangelical Churches. Following what they say was their arbitrary suspension from the B.A.E.C.; thirty national executives representing two hundred plus churches across the country have now formed the National Evangelical Association […]
The evangelical body which is recognized by government is now governed by thirteen pastors based in Belize City. The new N.E.A.B., according to their numbers, represents almost two hundred and fifty churches in every district of the country. Still, even with the uneven proportion of representation, the Senator who now represents the Church in the […]
The division has far-reaching implications, especially with critical issues like LGBT rights and the gender policy. The major push in the evangelical stance on those issues came from the districts, and not from Belize City. Pastor Lance Lewis says that won’t change, and they will not back down from the hard-line stance they have taken. […]
With all that said, what isn’t being put right out there by these leaders is what they believe is one of the main reasons for the division – political manipulation. President of the B.A.E.C. Pastor Howell Longsworth is a long-time supporter and former candidate of the United Democratic Party. Many of those district leaders now […]
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, it spans over two hundred and six countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. It is also the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The Ahmadiyya […]
On the eve of the 2015 national elections, the Belize Council of Churches has come out swinging in an attempt to stay above the political fray. Led by Reverend Roosevelt Papouloute, the churches today held an unprecedented press conference in Belize City reacting to an online report written by Chrisbert Garcia on Belize Breaking News. […]
In support of the Council of Churches, Pastor Howell Longsworth, of the Belize Evangelical Association, also calls to question the recklessness by the reporter on the social media site in attacking the leadership of the church for what is political mischief. Howell Longsworth, President, Evangelical Association “My concern is that the desperation of some […]
And on a more positive note, hundreds of thousands have been turning out to greet beloved Pope Francis who is in the US on a hectic schedule. The pontiff arrived in New York City from Washington DC on Thursday. Earlier this morning, he addressed world leaders at the United Nations and moved on to Ground […]
Construction of a chapel is underway on the grounds of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where families will be able to congregate for spiritual upliftment. Funded by the Government of Belize and the Council of Churches, the one hundred and fifty thousand dollar project is expected to be completed by December of this year. A […]
On Tuesday night, P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca praised Senator Father Noel Leslie and the Roman Catholic Church. Leslie and the Church have called on the government to repeal the controversial Petrocaribe Loan Motion even though last week at the Senate, he voted in favor of the amendment. Later, Leslie explained that his vote represented the […]
The Roman Catholic Church has broken ranks with the Council of Churches. Reverend Noel Leslie, who represents the Council in the Senate, was one of seven parliamentarians to vote in favor of the General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation bills, as well as the Amendments to the Petrocaribe Loans Act last Wednesday. The yes vote on the […]
According to Father Leslie, he is equally obligated to support the position of his bishop, despite having voted in favor of the majority in the council. Rev. Father Noel Leslie, Senator for the Churches “As far as the Catholic Church is concerned the bishop, he’s not in agreement with the law totally and so […]
But is the ecumenical chapel that is to be constructed at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital the sugared pill for the change of heart? Father Leslie said that the topic came up at a past meeting of the Council of Churches and was seen as a good gesture that serves all denominations equally. Isani […]
There are currently one thousand students attending the Ecumenical High School in Dangriga in the south. With the school reaching its maximum student capacity and bursting at its seams, there is a need for additional classrooms to accommodate the growing number of students. And so the institution is organizing a benefit concert this weekend in […]
A U.S. medical mission is in Belize currently providing free medical attention to Belize City residents. The mission was invited for the second time by the Anglican Diocese and is performing at the Saint Mary’s Primary School auditorium where they are testing patients for various illnesses. Duane Moody reports. Duane Moody, Reporting Since Monday, […]
The mass migration to coastal and inland communities across the country has begun. Belizeans and visitors alike have all joined the exodus to Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Placencia where the weekend promises fun-filled activities for friends and family. But while the extended weekend is much anticipated for secular reasons, Easter is a sacred time […]
Years of Grace: The History of Roman Catholic Evangelization in Belize is the brainchild of the late Charles Wood Senior. The Belizean historian spent countless hours documenting the arrival of Spanish conquistadores and the subsequent conversion to Christianity of the inhabitants they encountered in this part of the world. Following his passing several years ago, […]
The book is an in-depth look at evangelization dating back to 1524 and was funded by the German Bishops Foundation, Holy Redeemer Credit Union, as well as the Institute for Social and Cultural Research Research, among others. Sylvaana Udz, Co-author, Years of Grace “Years of Grace begins as a story in 1524 when Ferdinand […]
