But the Senator representing the Churches says they didn't realize the tenth parade would've actually been held on the tenth until they saw the calendar of events. And Alvin Moses Benguche told us that in the past, the government would consult the churches first, and he believed they should've done it this time.
Alvin Moses Benguche, Churches Senator
"In the midst of a decision being taken could the church have been consulted so that perhaps we would have been able to sit around the table and we would have been able to come up with some solution. Take note and it is very important for us to note this for the sake of not only history but records."
"The fact is that in the past when functions would have been held on a Sunday there was a level of communication with the church. Why is it that this time around we were consulted or we found out after the fact and this is the important point of note".
"We must not find out some things decisions such as this after the fact. We must perhaps as a church and the institution that it will affect the most. I think we should be around the table rather than be consulted after on things of this nature and that is the thing that the church is concerned about."
Reporter
"But you guys knew about the holiday from you know you would be on a Sunday from last year when the holidays list came out. Why didn't you in turn reach out as well?"
Alvin Moses Benguche, Churches Senator
"That is not hard to answer. The thing is as I said we have had a tradition in this country and correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost certain I'm right that where the holiday falls on a Sunday it is celebrated on the next day and so we as a church would have taken it that it was expected that those things that we would be a part of in so far as a celebration such as the ecumenical worship which we will carry through would have been that which we will do on a Sunday but the heavy partying part of it would have been left for the following day and so we knew that, but traditionally speaking and let us be mindful of that that we have always where it falls on a Sunday or on a sacred day that then the next day would be that day for celebration."
"There are times when I believe that culture and history can help us but we have to also be careful that it doesn't serve to strangulate us, it doesn't serve to divide us."
As you've heard the minister say, the parade will remain on Sunday, but Benguche says he hopes in the future, the body responsible for planning will take their concerns into consideration.
