Decline Government offer of funds to churches, Baker urges

Social Development Specialist Dr Peta-Ann Baker is urging church leaders to decline the funds being offered by the Government to assist churches and faith-based organizations with rebuilding efforts, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Some members of the clergy have welcomed the $75 million allocation, to be disbursed through the Social Development Commission (SDC) and have pushed back against criticisms of the move by Member of Parliament Everald Warmington.

Mr Warmington, Jamaica Labour Party MP for St. Catherine South West,  said he was unaware of any church assisting with rebuilding efforts following the storm and declared that public funds should not be used to support religious institutions.

Dr Baker, speaking Tuesday on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines, said the focus at this time is not on rebuilding places of worship, and urged church leaders not to accept the funds.

She argued, however that However, if the money is  accepted, church groups must speak with one accord and agree that it will be used solely to rebuild educational facilities attached to these churches.