Religion - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Declares Period of Mourning for Late Pope

Today, the Government of Belize declared a period of mourning for the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. In statements issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Governor General, Belize extended its heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community worldwide. The statement further announced that in honor of his memory, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast from midday on Thursday until the conclusion of his committal service. In an official statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan reflected on Pope Francis’ legacy as a voice for peace and justice. We spoke with Father Scott Giuliani, a priest at the Divine Mercy Church in Belize City, for more details on the legacy he is leaving behind.

Father Scott Giuliani, Priest, Divine Mercy Church

“It’s not by chance by chance that his last blessing that he gave to the world was a time on the greatest feast that we have of the year where we celebrate Jesus resurrection, that over sin and suffering and death, we had the victory in Christ and the resurrection. And at this time, this beginning of the celebration of Easter, it’s in this season that Pope Francis, after a time of suffering during Lent, he’s called to go home at that time in his last public appearance, was wishing everyone a happy Easter and giving that blessing to his people. And so I think that for us is, it’s a great reminder of where we’re going. We’re celebrating Jubilee year this year as well. And we’re called to be pilgrims of hope. And so Pope Francis really reminds us of what a pilgrim of hope means as he lives his life as a pilgrim. And now we, he hopes to be fulfilled and be in that peace, place of peace in heaven. Pope Francis, you love him or you hate him. He was a figure that really touched people’s hearts and he. From the very beginning, after he was elected, usually the Pope goes off and he would take a ride back in, in a different special car. Like he jumped on the bus with all his brother Cardinals. And he just would do these sort of things where he would try to build these bridges beyond these kind of social barriers that we have. And he, by choosing the word Francis, after this St. Francis Assisi, this kind of guided his pontificate. Where Pope St. Francis, he was in a time of conflict and battle in the war. Also Pope Francis in time with Ukraine and Gaza and Sudan and these different conflicts around the world, he preached peace. He was a man of creation, speaking about the responsibility for our common home. So what, speaking about integral ecology says whether the care for the environment can’t be separated from the care for the dignity of the human person, especially those most vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, to both poor and rich. He was a man of great dialogue. He was always breaking social barriers in a lot of ways. And so he’d reach out to people who have different faiths, different creeds, and he’d come together in a fraternity. Give us an example of how we meet with people who perhaps not share the same ideas as we do, but we meet in peace and mutual respect. And he gives a great example of that way.”

Ten Years of Jalsa Salana in Belize

Today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is getting ready to celebrate its tenth annual Jalsa Salana in Belize. This week-long spiritual event brings people together to promote brotherhood in the community and welcomes visitors to join in the festivities. This year’s peace-themed conference kicks off at 10 a.m. on April 4th at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at mosque. News Five’s Britney Gordon has more on this story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s been ten years since the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community started the Jalsa Salana Conference in Belize. What began as a small gathering of about thirty people blossomed into a celebration with hundreds of attendees. The Jalsa Salana brings people together to learn about the Islamic community and join in exciting activities. Missionary Ata’ul Haq warmly invites every Belizean to join the festivities.

Ata’ul Haq, Missionary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at

“Jalsa Salana is, an event, again, a spiritual event in which we want to invite every single person. It’s not just a Muslim event. We want to invite our Christian friends, our Hindu friends, Jewish friends, every single person. You are more than welcome to come and to sit with us, because this year the theme is Islam, a Religion of Peace, and we want to show you that we are truly peaceful and loving people. Our motto is Love for all and hatred for none.”

As the community celebrates the ten-year anniversary of Jalsa Salani in Belize, National President Arslan Warraich reflects on their impact over the past decade.

Arslan Warraich, National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at

“Belize has enabled us and welcomed us with such open arms. The media, you know this, that in America and stuff, they don’t give, they don’t give publicity or even any care towards other fates, right? But they give us a fair chance to speak and to invite and to host people, right? So now with these conventions, the thing is that people like yourselves, humble, kind, kindhearted people that come to this event and they see that wait, everything that the media is seeing in the US or wherever is all nonsense. That these are such peaceful, loving people, and then they feel much more comfortable. So the annual convention is just one aspect of that, to remove these misconceptions, right? And for us to break bread together because that helps bridge these gaps that society tries to create.”

Even though the community is growing fast, the event isn’t about changing anyone’s beliefs. It’s all about celebrating and appreciating the unique differences.

Ata’ul Haq

“Tomorrow they will be having a ladies session, ladies only session as well. Three thirty P.M. tomorrow for the Jalsa Salana here at the Maji. No, on a mile and a half George Price Highway. Every single person can also bring their children because we will have a kids’ play zone as well, in which they will be taken care of, so you as a parent can come. Don’t worry. Your children will be well taken care of, and they will be safe, and you can enjoy the proceedings of the Jasa Solana bouncy castle. They will have a bouncy castle and snacks and everything. There is no fee, not a single dollar you need to pay to come here and enjoy. All right. We also have a exhibition that we would like for everyone to come and see, just to see the history of our community in Belize as well.”

The Ahmadiyya basketball league will also be joining in on the celebration. Belizeans are invited to attend and cheer for their favorite teams to bring the gold home.

Ata’ul Haq

“We will be having the semi-finals for the U18 and the U22 at St. John’s College. And then followed by that. We’ll, at 10 o’clock in the morning, we will start all the final matches at Civic Center, right? And there, there’s gonna be the U50, the U12, U15, the U18 for the females, U18 for the males, and the U22. So all of that will be happening at the Civic. All of that will be happening at the Civic. Please note that usually there is an entrance fee, but for the finals, there will be no entrance fee, and we want to encourage everyone to come out and support their teams. We have teams that, we have five teams from Mexico that are still in the playoffs, so they’ll be making their way over to Belize as well. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support their local Belize team Belize teams and, give that support.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Rev. Elswith Clare Ordained as New Methodist Bishop

The Ministry of Religious Affairs acknowledged the ordination of Reverend Elswith Clare as the new Bishop of the Methodist Church in a ceremony held on 1 September 2024. The ordination marked a significant milestone for both the church and the broader religious community.

“Rev. Elswith Clare’s ordination is a testament to her unwavering dedication, spiritual leadership, and commitment to serving both the church and its congregation,” the Ministry stated in a press release.

“Her ascension to the role of Bishop represents not only a personal achievement but also a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who look to her guidance,” added the Ministry, highlighting the essential role of religious leaders in fostering community and promoting interfaith dialogue.

They wished Bishop Clare success and anticipated her leadership would positively impact the church and its mission.

Trinidad and Tobago to Redesign Coat of Arms, Remove Colonial Symbol

During a convention for the People’s National Movement on Sunday, Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that Trinidad and Tobago will update its coat of arms by late September, a decision that received a standing ovation.

“This marks a significant step towards removing the colonial remnants embedded in our constitution,” Rowley stated.

The current coat of arms, featuring hummingbirds, a palm tree, and Trinidad’s national bird, the scarlet ibis, has remained unchanged since the island gained independence from the UK in 1962. This redesign represents the first major change to the symbol. Additionally, the country will soon hold public hearings to consider removing statues, signs, and monuments with colonial ties.

Rowley is also advocating for the country to sever ties with the UK’s Privy Council as its highest court of appeal, a legal connection still maintained by several Commonwealth nations, including Trinidad and Tobago. He expressed his desire for the country to no longer be “squatters on the steps of the Privy Council,” as reported by local media.

As part of this broader move to shed colonial influences, the new coat of arms will replace the image of Christopher Columbus’s three ships—the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria—with the steelpan, a percussion instrument that originated on the island and holds significant cultural importance. This change has been widely praised across the eastern Caribbean nation.

Catholic Church in Belize Condemns 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

The Catholic Church in Belize issued a stern rebuke against the 2024 Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony, describing it as a “sacrilegious” affront to Christianity. The Church denounced the French Olympic Committee’s portrayal of the Last Supper—a central Christian moment—by depicting Jesus and his apostles in drag, accompanied by what it called “sleazy sexual innuendo.”

In response to widespread outrage, the French organizers issued a statement expressing regret for any offence caused but defended their intent to promote ‘community tolerance.’ In an official statement issued on July 29, 2024, the Catholic Church rejected this response as insincere and evasive, accusing the organizers of “woke duplicity” and failing to offer a genuine apology.

In the statement, it said, “A spokesperson for France claims that they “tried to celebrate community tolerance,” and added, “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence, we are really sorry.” This is not an apology; it is a masterpiece of woke duplicity. 2.6 billion Christians have been offended. If you want to apologize, you say, “We apologize. We made a mistake.” You are hypocritically intolerant of the billions of followers of Jesus Christ. Christians were offended because what you did was offensive, and now you want to blame us for “taking offence.” Insult upon injury.”

The controversy has sparked a global debate over the balance between artistic freedom and respect for religious sentiments.

Pope Francis Apologizes for Homophobic Remark During Meeting with Bishops

Pope Francis recently issued an apology for using an anti-gay slur during a closed-door meeting with bishops. The 87-year-old pontiff reportedly made the offensive comment last week, suggesting that gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood.

In a statement released by the Vatican on Tuesday, they clarified that the Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms. He extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of the term, as reported by others.

Despite this incident, Pope Francis has consistently emphasized an inclusive stance within the Church.

The controversy arose when two Italian newspapers, Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, reported on the May 20 meeting, citing sources present. According to their reports, the Pope used the term “frociaggine,” which translates to “faggotry” in English, while discussing the presence of gay men in seminaries.

Corriere della Sera pointed out that the Pope, being Argentine and speaking Italian as a second language, may not have fully realized the offensiveness of his language. The remark reportedly elicited incredulous laughter from the bishops present.

It’s important to note that the Vatican had previously ruled in 2005 that men who are actively gay or have “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies cannot be ordained. Pope Francis reaffirmed this ruling in 2016 and advised Italian bishops in 2018 not to accept gay candidates for the priesthood.

Italian Teenager Set to Become First Millennial Saint

Pope Francis has attributed a second miracle to Carlo Acutis, moving him closer to canonization, the Vatican announced on Thursday.

Carlo Acutis, often referred to as the patron saint of the internet among Roman Catholics, passed away from leukaemia at the age of 15 in 2006. Known for his computer skills, Carlo used the internet to share his faith.

After his death, Antonia Acutis received messages from people worldwide claiming medical miracles, such as cures for infertility and cancer, after praying to Carlo.

Carlo’s path to sainthood began in 2020, when the Diocese of Assisi petitioned the Vatican. In February of that year, Pope Francis attributed the healing of a boy with a malformed pancreas to Carlo, marking his beatification. For canonization, a second miracle was required.

The second recognised miracle involves a woman from Costa Rica named Liliana, who prayed at Carlo’s tomb in Assisi on July 8, 2022. Liliana’s daughter Valeria had suffered severe head trauma from a bicycle accident in Florence on July 2. She required critical brain surgery with a low survival chance. Liliana’s secretary began praying to Blessed Carlo, and Liliana herself made a pilgrimage to Carlo’s tomb. That same day, Valeria began breathing spontaneously, followed by improvements in movement and speech. A CAT scan on July 18 showed the haemorrhage had disappeared, and Valeria was moved to rehabilitation on August 11. On September 2, Liliana and Valeria returned to Assisi to thank Blessed Carlo.

AI Catholic ‘priest’ defrocked after recommending Gatorade baptism

An attempt by a Catholic advocacy group to spread the word of God using an AI model has backfired, and chat bot – Father Justin – has been pulled down and reworked. The group’s Catholic Answers website contains answers to commonly asked questions from those confused by the good book. Father Justin was supposed to aid this, by answering any other queries worshipers may have, but as commonly happens the interactive Q&A bot really didn’t work that well.

“Recently, my colleagues and I at Catholic Answers have received a good deal of helpful feedback concerning another new technology: our AI app, Fr Justin,” wrote Christopher Check, president of the group.

That helpful feedback being complaints the software shouldn’t have masqueraded as a man of God and also gave out unholy advice. “We have rendered ‘Fr Justin’ just ‘Justin’,” Check said in response. “We won’t say he’s been laicized, because he never was a real priest.”

Father Justin reportedly claimed to be a real priest based in Assisi, Italy, and told people: “I am as real as the faith we share.” Justin was also very anti-masturbation, calling it “a grave moral disorder,” which is considerably less nuanced than Pope Francis’s views expressed last year.

As seen in this Twitter thread, one questioner received Father Justin’s blessing to marry her brother, saying it was “a joyous occasion,” and also offered absolution after a confession – a huge no-no from a theological perspective for a non-priest.

In an interview, the group’s COO Jon Sorensen said they had only spent $10,000 on the project and tested it over six months. However, this wasn’t enough to stop the AI cleric telling one questioner that baptizing a child with Gatorade was perfectly all right.

“Right now there are a bunch of people trying to break it. And if you’re on Twitter or anywhere else, it’s like this ‘gotcha’ moment,” he commented.

“But when somebody breaks the AI, that actually helps us improve it. In the meantime, while people are breaking it and taking screenshots of it, posting it all over the internet, I’ve got to take my lumps. But that’s the only way I could make the thing improve.”

The chat bot was quickly pulled, reskinned, and presumably had its training data overhauled. Now it’s back as simply Justin, his priestly garb has been replaced with a shirt and jacket, and he’s described as a virtual apologist who is in development mode.

Published by The Register

Christopher Glancy Resigns from Catholic Diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan announced today the resignation of Christopher Glancy. In a brief statement, the Diocese said, “The Vatican Press Office announced today, March 13, 2024, that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Christopher J. Glancy, CSV, from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan.

We give thanks to Almighty God for the years of service Bishop Glancy faithfully provided to the People of God in Belize. We wish him all the best and God’s endless blessings in his life. Let us keep him in our prayers.”

*Press Release from Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan*

No reason was given for Glancy’s departure from the Diocese.

Glancy was ordained as a priest on April 17, 1993. His initial assignment was as a parochial vicar at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, Illinois. During his tenure, he also took on the role of vocation director and served on the provincial council of the Viatorians. In 1998, he was assigned to Belize, where he served as a parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal. This parish oversaw 23 village missions, 19 primary schools, and Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School. Subsequently, he returned to the United States and served as a parochial vicar at St. Viator Parish in Chicago.

Roman Catholic Church Mourns Passing of Bishop Nicasio

Tonight, the Roman Catholic Church is mourning the passing of its beloved Bishop Lawrence Nicasio. Nicasio died on New Year’s morning at the age of sixty-seven, after battling with cancer. Originally from Dangriga, Bishop Nicasio started his early education in that municipality and would become a man that was loved by people in all the locations he served, not only as a bishop, but also in his secular life as a teacher after having graduated from the Belize Teachers’ College. Before he went abroad to pursue his studies in theology, Nicasio taught at several schools and served as the director of the Catholic schools in the Toledo District. News Five’s Marion Ali filed the following report on the late bishop’s life.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Born Lawrence Sydney Nicasio on September fifth, 1956, the late Catholic Bishop Larry, as he was affectionately known, began studying philosophy at Cardinal Glennon College in Missouri, in 1981. Thereafter, he pursued theological studies at Kenrick Theological Seminary, near St. Louis, and on June sixteenth 1989, he was ordained a priest.

The late bishop was appointed Vicar in Belmopan for thirteen years from 1991 to 2004, after which he served as pastor in Orange Walk Town, then pastor of St. Ignatius from 2005 to 2008 and at St. John Vianney from 2008 to 2013. When Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the late Bishop Dorick Wright on January twenty-sixth, 2017, he appointed Nicasio as the new Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan.

But even before he went away to become a priest, Nicasio was a leader. He taught at several schools in Belize and served as the director of the Catholic schools in the Toledo District. He was well loved by the people in those communities. Just five days ago, the Catholic Parish and its parishioners in Dangriga led a full service for Nicasio, where, although frail from the ravages of the illness, he was still present.

That congregation sang the Our Father in Garifuna, just as he had always loved when he was the chief celebrant, particularly at November nineteenth church services. Bishop Alvin Benguche of the Methodist Church and Executive Member of the Belize Council of Churches relived how much his brother in Christ promoted the Garifuna culture and one time, invited him to partake in the mass.

Bishop Alvin Benguche, Executive Member, Belize Council of Churches

“He was one who first reached out to me and one who thought that he should reach out to me not only as another person who would serve as Bishop in another denomination, but also he recognized that it was important for us – as two bishops serving the nation and from the Garifuna population; that he should also reach out to me in the sense that we had become religious leaders and it was important. He thought that as religious leaders, especially from the Garifuna nation, that we should at least be able to know where and what we will do as leaders in order to help to reach out to our Garifuna people and the wider nation. And I thought that that, for him, was so very commendable. The Garifuna people should really remember him for the impact of the work that he did amongst the Garifuna population. I can recall that he was one who also insisted that as a part of the Garifuna Mass on the 19th of November in Dangriga, that he thought that it was important to involve me in one of those services. I thought that it was so very humbling of him to ensure that I participated in such a mass, and I will never forget that.”

Bishop Philip Wright who heads the Anglican Church also shared with us his opinion of the late Bishop Nicasio with whom he shared a few working sessions.

Rev. Philip Wright, Bishop, Anglican Diocese

“He was somewhat soft spoken, and jovial, but he always brought to our conversations some insights into issues and I remember him as well as being able to offer anecdotal stories to help make his point. So he will be remembered as a somewhat gentle spirit, soft spoken, but deep in his reflection and in his contributions to our conversations. We have again lost quite a son of the sword, you know, who was very committed to his ministry, to his church, to his people and he will long be remembered as well as a faithful servant, a friend and a colleague.”

Father Cesar Santa Cruz, also Catholic priest, has only been in Belize for a little over a month and only met with Bishop Nicasio once, but it was a meeting that he says he will remember for a long time.

Father Cesar Santa Cruz, Priest, Catholic Church

“I came here from Guatemala to cover this mission in November 22^nd and I was in a meeting with the mission. It was December 14^th, I had the opportunity to see him and that was the only one. I could see, well he was in a wheelchair. I could see he was very sick, but I could appreciate the love that people had for him. He was very kind. I was introduced to him – really very kind person, very quiet. He really impressed me with his personality. I could see how people really loved him.”

Bishop Nicasio, who had been ill for a couple years, had given an update on his health battle and offered hope to his congregation virtually in May of 2023, following his first round of treatment.

Bishop Lawrence Nicasio, Deceased

“I continue treatment and I’m very grateful to the doctors and the nurses who worked along with me. A number of them are Catholics, and we really pray for one another, and they’ve offered me loving care and I’m very grateful for that. At this point in my journey, we’ve been communicating with the doctor, a classmate of mine who has been very helpful in transporting me to the clinic. We discussed with the doctor about making a brief visit home to Belize. I just want to join you again as we join our hearts in prayer for this entire journey that I’ve been on since last year in July. Thanks again for your prayers and many greetings you have sent and words of encouragement you’ve sent to me. Those who come by to visit, I thank you very much.”

The Vatican will determine who will be the next Bishop of the Catholic Church. Bishop Nicasio will be laid to rest on Friday, following a funeral service in Belmopan. Marion Ali for News Five.