BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris has given assurance that churches under construction and those with existing structures in residential areas have no reasons to be alarmed.
That comes against the backdrop of the New Birth Tabernacle having its permission to construct a worship facility in the Cayon community revoked, with the Development and Planning Board pointing to the church being built in a residential area.
Questions were raised about other churches currently under construction and whether they would have to cease work, but Dr. Harris during his most recent press conference briefing (Mar. 9) debunk such thoughts.
“None of the churches have any reason to be concerned,” Dr. Harris said.
At a press conference held earlier this month, Bishop Cyprian Williams of the New Birth Tabernacle had indicated that concerns were raised in the Christian community - especially among church leaders - about those sanctuaries currently under construction in residential locations.
“Right now, a lot of my colleague pastors are voicing their concerns about their own churches. Because, if you have set something for one, and you are saying a church cannot be built in a residential area...then what happen to all those lands that were given out to churches that are in residential areas?”
But Dr. Harris, in addressing that concern, noted that it is sad the way the situation played out as “it gave itself some sense of politics - for the record, there is not”.
“Those churches that are already there [existing structures], their period of building is already over. So, I would presume that the reason for objection on it...is another matter.”
Further, the Prime Minister reminded that care must be taken when “extrapolating” information since it was one case where permission was revoked. He noted that the concern was “somebody attempting to create confusion”.
“The Cayon problem came not because of anything Team Unity did. The Cayon problem came because members in his community said that they had an objection to the construction of that facility at that particular location. And, within the ambit of the law...where there is an objection, the Building Board is the relevant authority that must deal with this and make a judgment call.
Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Nevis’ Premier, Hon. Vance Amory echoed similar sentiments as Dr. Harris, telling SKNVibes that the situation came down to the people in the area.
“The people that live in these residential areas should have a say in what comprises their community. It is not in anyway a direct attack - in its mildest form - on churches or any church,” the Minister explained.
The issue of the church arose last year when they received a letter from the Development Control and Planning Board indicating that they would have to cease construction.
A plot of land was offered to the church a short distance away from the purchased existing piece.
Currently, lawyers for the Church and the Attorney General’s office are locked in discussions on an alternative plot, the location of which has yet to be disclosed to this media house.
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