But despite what Bishop Benguche explained, one PCC commissioner believes that this statement is leading Belize down a dangerous road of Christian Nationalist identity. He pointed out that no other religious groups were invited to these meetings, despite the diverse views and beliefs present in Belizean society. He added that - in his view - the statement undermines the PCC process and the $1.5 million dollars that has already been invested. He explained more today.
Caleb Orozco, Commissioner, PCC
"First it seems like Minister Usher's right hand is not speaking to the left hand with regards to appreciating the language of the agreement. For me, what's striking is that the language of the agreement is really a Christian Nationalist ideology which means it's fusing legal issues with the ideology of a certain sector of the religious community and that to me sets a dangerous precedence because it's his ministry which is responsible for the PCC unit operation and for him to do this is in essence undermining the very work of the PCC. Why would you sign an agreement that has Christian Nationalist thinking that is preempting $1.5 million in investment that calls for reform, that calls for the state to create or design a social contract that its people can believe, why would you undermine that investment?"
"This is where Christian Nationalist ideology becomes dangerous because government says in many of its technical meetings, we are here to leave no one behind, where's your agreement with the Muslim community and the Hindu community and the Jehovah Witness, where's that agreement? Where's the agreement with the Mormons? If you're talking about religious affairs, let's talk about inclusive religious agreement that looks at all sectors, not just the focus on one."
"Why not have an agreement that establishes that there is a social contract between the church and the state and that means it will serve the needs of citizens in an equitable and equal manner? What they did was to lose an opportunity to show that there's a level of solidarity with the needs of our citizens. What they did was to undermine the very premise that his ministry is seeking, reform. You don't undermine that premise that your ministry is seeking reform by signing an agreement that has no basis in secular thinking, in legal precedence, in practice, the people of this country need to know what is it that the state is providing to them."
In a letter Orozco wrote, he pointed out that the State has yet to recognize, respect and protect human dignity, nature and rights of all its citizens, since LGBTIQ Belizeans are still waiting for the EOB to be re-tabled.
