2nd church giving cash back
(CNS): The Red Bay Church, which was given $100,000 from the controversial Nation Building Fund, has decided to give the money back amidst public controversy over the donation. Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly told the press that, while she fully supports the fund, if she is part of any future government she would want to see the cash handed out based on collaboration and not at the discretion of one person. Tourism Minister Cline Glidden confirmed to CNS that, despite claims that a committee had been established to manage the applications and cash distribution, the interim government has found no evidence of this and it appears as if decisions were made directly by former premier McKeeva Bush.
Last week Hillside Chapel in Cayman Brac became the first church that had received cash from the fund to give the cheque back as a result of negative publicity.
Following the public outcry over an announcement during the official election campaign period that the Red Bay Church of God, which the premier attends, was receiving a $100k grant, the board and membership met and decided to return the funds, O’Connor Connolly said during the Thursday morning press briefing.
She said that while the church was still very much in need, the membership did not wish to put her or the church through any more negative publicity over the money and would instead look for private pledges to help it re-tarmac its car-park, which is prone to flooding, and mend the roof.
The controversy surrounding the church donations flared last week when it was revealed on CNS that the Red Bay Church had been informed that is was receiving the money it had requested. By way of explanation, O’Connor-Connolly acknowledged that she attended that church but said the decision had been made several months previously by the former premier.
The new premier said she and her Cabinet colleagues, the "holding government", did not want to overturn the decision about the grant, which had already been conveyed to the church management. As a result, the Red Bay church, Hillside Chapel and a further eight as yet unnamed churches also received donations from the fund in this financial year, all of which were decided by the former premier.
O’Connor-Connolly said that the Red Bay Church was in the process of sending a letter to the Office of the Premier which would accompany the returned cheque. The whole affair had upset the church membership as there was some feeling among the congregation that it had been stirred up by political opponents, she said. In addition, the church had been disappointed that people had conveyed their objection to the donation to the media at the point of the announcement rather than the church board members when the application was being made, the premier said.
Category: Politics
Now they don't have to put a political sign up on their property.
Surely the churches should have to file public audited accounts before being eligible for money like this.
Instead of giving this money to churches, govt would achieve much more by sponsoring the tutoring fees for our needy children to attend institutions like cayman learning centre or other established remediation centers on the island. Let’s stop investing in parking lots and start investing in mathematics and literacy remediation programs!
For a bit of insight into this topic plus a few laughs, google the following:
youtube george carlin religion
This beats going to church any day. 🙂
Excellent news!! Well done!! Rev Scott by your single action you've set the example for the other churches and for all of us to follow. If we by our single action also demand integrity, accountabiltiy, transparency and honesty of our politicians and our civil service, we too can facilitate positive change the way Rev Scott has. Be empowerd Cayman! Exact the highest ethical standard from ALL!!
Set what example…they were being shamed publicly for even accepting this money…this was an after thought of giving it back..no good deed on the churches part…
Is it true that another church in Cayman Brac has recently received $45,000.00 in government funding?pqyCW
Not surprised! Apparenty some church that havent opened its doors for the last 10 years got a donation too! Would like to get to the bottom of this one!
How do I get my name on the list? For the past eight years I have been taxed so much that my monthly out goings is more than my incoming due to the tax increases which affected, fuel, groceries, electricity, water, insurance and the list goes on. Yet we give concessions to enterprise city, shetty hospital, Michael Ryan and Dart.
We give the rich less taxes but the government tax the poor? Don’t understand it.
Again I ask, how do I get my name on the list?
Father, as I read these comments and see your own people bashing the churches. I pray you don’t send another Ivan or Poloma to remind us that there is a God and why churches exist. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but don’t be st*pid about it. Bashing a chruch…sad.
Not as sad as being league with the devil like some of our churches and politicians
Please god, send another Ivan
– signed Builder
I am proud of the leadership of this church for taking the high road and doing the right thing. My problem is not, and has never been, who received these funds – but rather the manner in which they have been allocated. No one person should control a "slush fund" to be distributed at will with tax payer dollars. It is an abomination. It smacks of corruption, and must be stopped.
Good that the Churches of Cayman are taking the high riad and once again becoming our moral compass.
Heard on the marl road that some church members are being threatened to have have their monthly government stipend taken away from them. Not a bit surprised by this news, so typical of UDP and UDP lite! Shameful!
If only this was the case. The churches are not returning the money because they feel it was morally wrong to receive it through the UDP slush fund- but more so because they want to keep themselves out of the spotlight. They are having hissy fits just like a bad child who doesn’t get his cake!
Well, two of them at least
Is it true that if a politician gives a large amount of govt funds to a church – then this gift will influence the congregation to vote for that particular politician or his group?
If so then this massive financial windfall to churches and other groups – now and in the past 4 years, needs to be brought to the attention of the election observers.
What we have here appears to be a major effort to influence the elections.
Glad to see that at least two churches got cold feet…
I attend the church but I am a West bayer.( and others from the district)
How can I be influenced to vote for a Politician running in the Brac?
That Poputlationg of that church is a very mixed Membbership , what could would it be for
Julianna or any other Politician to try and influenece any of the Membership to vote for her if they cannot and is not voiting in the Brac?
It's the UDP's way of praying to God. They think they can buy him out too.
Two out of how many???
That is a very poor batting average.
Well, like he bible say ‘gettin in ya heaven like pushin DA camel Tri DA needle’. That also will produce a low batting average.
People….the Government is broke! We should not be handing out money at all. The church is a business just like any other. Are we going to start handing out money to businesses as well? And while we are at it…..the Government is broke….yes, I said it again…. so all you free loaders who can't live within your means or don't want to, stop going to social services….where is your PRIDE?
And our roads are lined with litter and nobody out there anymore picking up garbage along the main roads. Some of this money needs to be used to keep the roads and beaches clean as the Island is in the worst state I have ever seen! I hang my head in shame when I think of the bad impression we must leave on the tourists who are taken a drive around the Island.
Good. The Church is God's organization on earth. If God wants to bless the Church, He will through people who are WILLING to give.
why does any church need money from any government. God suggested this???? huh??
Besides the obvious question as to why, what about the ridiculous amount given to these churches. And need I state that, for such a small country with soooo many churches to attend, we seem a little short when it comes to producing decent, upstanding citizens who will HELP THEMSELVES at the end of the day, who will take responsibility for ALL their actions!!!!
God helps those who help themselves!
I trust the Botabano and Pirates Week Business then help themselves too/
Why wait for Government to help fund them when they both claim to bring so much
Monetary Value to the Island.
Why does the Govt need to be subsidising them ?
A small percentage of churches are returning stolen funds….looks like they think they can fool ALL thepeople ALL the time by returning SOME of the money.
Why are we implicitly negotiating with these idiots, SOMEBODY needs to sue and let them know with all thier religion, their actions are not above common society.
Yes WHOEVER started such a awful lie on this church should really ask God to come into there life and save them before its too late..As Julie explained it so well even a child would understand..If I was that church I would not give it back as it is so badley needed I remember visiting there one rainy sunday morning and had to move from the bench I was in as water started to drip then when you look a few buckets and plastis was brought out to protect the other places that was leaking.If my memory serves me right one leak is by the piano one by where the choir sit then they had plastic a few other places including up on the balcony…By the way this been leaking from time the other pastor was there thats when I saw it I guess this new one only tried to fix the problem she found…
I highly doubt that the money was supposed to go for roof repairs, they wanted a big fancy church, then they can pay for it and the $100,000 should go to feed the poor people of this country who can't afford to feed themselves, not the people who go to the big church in Red Bay.
Whilst I agree that the money would be better spent on other projects, that is not the real issue. The issue is that public funds are being diverted, without oversight, and then distributed like private funds at the whim of single person. This was not Mr. Bush's personal money to play philanthopist with, it was mine and yours. It should never have been taken, nor spent, at all. He should have had no right to dole it out to churches, or poor people, or any more than to spend it Vegas casinos . It is not where the money went but HOW the money went that is the issue.
If you had happy hour in the church parking lot and sold $5-jerk chicken and $2-beer you could make enough money to fix the roof in no time. And please don't reject the sale of beer since you happily accepted the money that government collected from other people selling beer.
Aahh…you miss the point…
That was god, playing with you. You missed an opportunity. Don’t worry, He won’t give up on you. Be ready next time.
The responses on this Blog has given me a very good impression
of how many ANTI Christian people it is living and working in this Island.
I am not saying that everyone that have commented here is .
But by some of the " below the belt " remarks you can tell
I am not saying people cannot object to the Fund if they wish. I am referring for the
disrespectful mannner in which many have voiced their opinions about the Church
in this requard;
The good book says " A nation that forgets God will be destroyed "
Just look at the Financial Degredation of so many of our neigbouring
countries .
Look at the Thousands that is here to work and live because of our Financial Success
Which also is because of our Christian Values of the past. (I say of the past because today it is alarming how many of our own caymanians that have become Atheistic in
their beliefs) Yet we wonder why there is so much Joblessness and suffering amongst us)
Again I have no problem if people wanted to voice their Opinion or objection to the Fund
This is a free Country. But the DISRESPECT at which to " talked down " to the church was
hurtful!
If they give it back, they proof they didn 't really need it.
That makes it even worse.
Headline should read "Premier tries to back-peddle in church give-away fiasco, loses even more credibility".
I have always found that people who profess to br christian are the furthest from being one. Everyday JUJU is spitting out words about her "christianity". That tells me (and any other person with half a brain) all we need to know about her. SELF PRAISE IS NO RECOMMENDATION!!!
But, I suspect this ploy has worked in her favor for a long time, and has won her many votes.
I would say "wolfe in sheep clothing" but I don't want to offend either!
Sad that it came to this. It shows how vicious politics is.
I am disappointed that the present Premier would continue in the footsteps of the former Premier. Disappointed!
Disappointed but not one bit surprised!
Who approved the money for the West Bay Sda Church that Mr Glidden got on the platform and promised? Mckeeva Bush was not the Premier then.
Very unfortunately for the Cayman Islands, that most certainly doesn't at all mean he didn't approve it.
JOCC, sadly, you missed your real vocation – writing children’s Fairy Stories. Do you really imagine that anybody believes the BS you spout every time you have to back down and try to justify your previous stance, on any issue. As someone who is supposedly professionally qualified – you are a joke.
JU JU if you would in future demand that donations from the NBF be approved by a properly appointed Board then why, as the current leader of government, did you not put an immediate moratorium on payments which had previously been approved solely on the direction of bush – or are you not actually in control of day to day Government policy. You do hide the puppeteers strings very well when you appear in public.
Last comment should, of course, have read – ” Tough Shit “.
Excellent – the Public Voice has, for once, achieved the proper result. Tough Shot Ju Ju and mckeewa.
The people won a small battle, dont let them convince you that you won the war.
Please reprint this article when we have the money safe and secure back in the Cayman Islands Government treasury. We don't want to hear that they are giving it back, we want to hear that they gave it back.
Well done!! Rev Scott you've set such a great example that you're beginning to to reminded the rest of us of our obligation to have and to demonstrate integrity. Afterall we are all the example our young people follow.
"Minister Cline Glidden confirmed to CNS that, despite claims that a committee had been established to manage the applications and cash distribution, the interim government has found no evidence of this"
Why did they let this happen they were part of the government that did it. They are at fault for not saying anything when it was going on. Now that the are the "interim" government they are blaming the last one of which they were part of the majority. Do they really think the Cayman people are so dumb to buy into that. I know I am not.
Give CG a break here…the money was in complete control of mr bush. It was in his ministry at his command to give out. While I do think they should have taken interest in how it was handed out I can see that they may not know the process within that ministry regarding the NBF. In reality it was Mr Bush’s slush fund for campaigning and buying votes. I hope all the church goers realise this and vote out all of UDP. I, at the same time hope God Speaks to them and make sure they do not vote in the PPM which put us in this financial situation.
What! It’s almost like they got religion or something. Good on yuh Red Bayians.
How could anyone object to the church board at the time the "application was made? We didn't know about it. This was all secret. Money shouldn't be passed out like this out of the premier's back pocket. There should be a resolution in the legislative assembly to authorize it so the public would know about it.
For every term of office this former Premier has used public funds as his personal discretionary slush account, as if it were his own money. The stories of abuse are legendary. All of these payments (with deliberate intent) did not undergo established governmental approval processes and amount to fraudulent conveyances. All funds should therefore be returned, or forever hold their peace. All Nation United Pentecostal recieved KYD$175,000.00 and then erected a monument of a billboard in tribute to the UDP. If this nation is to have any credibility, locally or internationally, we need to see some authoritative action against this corrupt activity. I for one am sick of it.
What a bunch of back stabbing church members. And I really wish the interim government would stop pointing fingers at the UDP which they were part and parcel of. It would be better they just shut up.
Well good for the Red Bay church. The decent, honest and Christian thing to do. That's two. A shame all of the churches couldnt reach the same standards.
Bet they will get it back ten fold…..Mathew 21:12. "He knocked over teh tables of money changers and those selling doves"
"would instead look for private pledges to help it re-tarmac its car-park"
Anyone know if Juliana still have that paver she was driving around Cayman Brac?
I am certainly proud of the Hillside Chapel church adminstrators giving back the large donation that has been thrust on them under the guise of a "grant" when in fact it was done in an atempt to garner votes from the attendees, friends and families!!! Maybe it was not seen by all of them as a "bribe" but I for one belive that it was nothing more. The Red Bay Church has been in existence for years and years and it is up to them to raise money thorugh private donations and their own offering plates. I am glad that they finally realized that this ploy was nothing but an attempt to garner votes. I am also proud of the Church in Cayman Brac. Each of them has seen through the deception of the crooked politicians soliciting the poor congregants of these extablishments. I now await the return of the millions of dollars that was so shamelessly "donated" to the Weslayan Hollness Church in West Bay. If they keep this money they are accepting money thrust upon them by none other than the devil hismself McKeeva Bush, not to mention his puppets, who will soon find themselves looking out from the wrong side of the bars at HMP Northward!!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!! Why not "grant" some of that money to the hospital or to the schools that are both desperately in need of donations rather than the fat pockets of the preists and preachers!!!!!!
Church members that means you are now free to vote as you wish.
Of course they have, their congregation are probably bi…in too. Mind you going to have to give the pastor 20% of their salaries to attend now.
Churches, schools and other entities for profit should not get any sort of gov funds. We as a country are not a charity. Their a universities out there making millions in profit every year, getting duty free items and don’t purchase anything locally and or try to hire caymanians, and don’t even donate any funds to any sort of local charity or cause. These schools should be made to pay a minimum fee for duty and or pay for work permits. All their profits leave the island..
separation of church and state, simple as that!
I dont understand how this money gets thrown at the Churches, when you have entities such as Hospice Care getting a minimal donation from Government.Then relying on donations from the public to cover the end-of-life services & care they provide…at no charge
So true.
Hospice like churches should not need the govt money..allthe dress down days in firms mostly go to hospice and many other fund raisers do as well. Plus most of the richest people in Cayman and abroad support the hospice. In any event aside from what they do, which we should be grateful for, we all just need to get off our high horses and take care of the folk that raised us instead of turning our backs on them.
I must say WELL DONE RED BAY CHURCH…I didn't expect any less would be done. I say give it back with INTEREST if thats what it takes.
Obv Big Mac made the decision to give money to the churches for a reason. Maybe to try to curtail this "cat chasing tail" ill of a society we have by trying to ensure the means for our children to be steered right from the beginning was there and well equiped. Instead we are not happy with it and are too partied out to get up and get us and our families to churh on a Saturday/Sunday morning.
We would be very happy if the money was dumped into Pirates Week, Jazz Fest or Batabano or anything else that provided entertainment and not food for the soul.
I'm not a UDP follower but this one I give him thumbs up for.
Now lets put down beating up the churches and beat up all the deadbeat fathers out there that go around spreading their wild oats and do nothing to support their kids…I for one can say that RBChurch provides a solice for my kids. Thank you very much. And bc of their leadership and example I can hold my head high anyday. Their kind of example is what more of our people need to find and they wont in the bar rooms or clubs for sure.
I dont hear anyone saying but I am looking forward to seeing what changes will come about to get all this child support money we are owed from deadbeat mothers/fathers which has been mandated by the COURTS…why unna dont shout bout that! A lot would need to be spent in less areas by government if parents would do what they are morally supposed to do.
Cayman is changing, thank God. People are getting very ticked off at what looks like vote buying and corruption. We must make sure the next Premier and Deputy do NOT travel so much and certainly not with their "bodyguards". And by the way, is it true (i got it from an impeccable source) that recently on a trip to the UK, JOCCO and Paul travelled in Business Class while the Governor -ON THE SAME FLIGHT- travelled in premium economy?
That’s how it should be if governors flight was paid for by us…have FCO upgrade him otherwise. As for Paul upfront…he should not even be on the plane. JOCC should be ashamed of that situation. Just marry the man if you want but this “executive aide” BS is getting stale.
The Vote Buying crime was committed repeatedly by the Nation Building Fund.
The Elections Office and the Anti-Corruption Commission need do their duty to enforce the Election Law and the Anti-Corruption Law resptively.
Vote Buying continues it must be stopped.
The best government money can buy is not an asset, it is liability.
I believe that God knows your need Red Bay Church of God Holiness andas you returned the cheque in faith, believing and knowing that God will provide, your needs will be supplied! For He is in control and He is an on-time God!
After all these years, the countless amount of prayers and still the roof is not fixed do you really believe in all this religious hype? – heree is what will happen, many with a kind and generous heart will read this story and donate to the repairs and I hope the time istaken to thank them personally and publicly! – but I know “god” will get all the praises and thanks smh!
There is more than one member of this church capable of donating far in excess of the amount in question.
What does this say about them?
about time too!!!! Use it to feed hungry children or educate the youth!
So the UDP lite expect us to beleive they did not know these decisions were being made by one person, with no proper process in place, until now?
This entire "nation building fund" has only the appearance of vote buying!
They are such deceitful people!!!
As a pastor or minister how can you lead your congregation by faith but then go and ask the government for a handout, seriously. Where is your faith??
'Faith is not believing God can; It is knowing that God will'.
We are the laughing stock the world over. Our holy men are crooks, our elected members are criminals and our police service are blind, deaf and dumb and apprently filled with bullies.
Why have we fallen so far? I'll tell you why, too many of us turned a blind eye these days.
We see what is going on and refuse to take a stand. When will we reach the point of fighting back. We have to take back our communities. Now.
Thank you Red Bay Church for doing the right thing.
The next government should do away with the NB fund completely, Those monies should be put nto general funds.
Well done Church.
As for the Premier…if she really thought the NBF should have agreed by "collaboration" (what the hell does that mean???sound like collaborators from 2nd World War..all should be shot) then what was she doing giving the money out in the first place?? And State should not be giving money to churches anyway!
She is more like Ready:Fire:Aim.Think:Retract if someone spots it and flipflop immediately. Not a candidate for Brain of Cayman, is she?
Hallelujah!!!
Thats great. Six Churches to go and then maybe the Casinos and those who benefited from sweetheart deals including roads, land, beach and sand will give it all back to us.
So JOCC unilaterally approved payments and then said that she didn't think unilateral payments are appropriate? Does she have an evil twin?
Good decision Red Bay Church. Looking forward to your Christmas carol truck this year again.
Any idea on how we can upset the Wesylians? It sure would be nice to get $2 million back.
I'm setting up a new church and could do with those unused funds.
Julianna, you can contact me at: Church of Satan, Hell, West Bay.
Kindest Regards,
Pastor Lucifer
It seems to me that the Church with the most money, are finding it hard to give back. But the church that receive the least, are giving back. See the list:
Wesleyan Holiness Church (McKeeva Bush's Church) in West Bay KYD$1,300,000.00 !
Church of God Bodden Town KYD$1,000,000.00 !
Church of God West Bay KYD$450,000.00 !
Seventh Day Adventist Church West Bay KYD$275,000.00 !
Light of the World Christian Fellowship KYD$180,000.00 !
All Nation United Pentecostal KYD$175,000.00 !
New Testament Church West Bay KYD$130,000.00
90 & 9 Outreach Ministry KYD$125,000.00
Church of God Frank Sound KYD$125,000.00
Wesleyan Holiness Church George Town KYD$122,585.00
Convent Moravian Church KYD$104,991.00
Seventh Day Adventist Church KYD$100,000.00
Church of God Holiness Red Bay KYD$100,000.00
Hillside Chapel Cayman Brac KYD$50,000.00
The last two should be dropped off the list. Focus should be on all the others, in particular those that have now erected huge campaign billboards for the UDP!
DON'T LET UP CAYMAN!!!! Ride the backs of the rest of them make them pay this money back!!! I for one know that it's needed in our countries' coffers.
Come on churches. Do the right thing. Send the money back!!
and if you don't you are just as corrupt as the people who gave it to you!
I forgot to say, good job Red Bay!!! A going church for a coming King!! I'm glad out of the many who still have not, you returned the cash.
It wouldn't amaze me to drive around and see how many have bright green signs erected in their freshly manicured lawns *yawn*
What are all the thumbs down for?!?! Please do take a drive around with a list of these churches & you will see the BIG ass UDP signs standing there looking pretty! That is wrong!! That's adding salt to injury. We already know that they are big UDP supporters (slush fund indicated). That's the first thing that needs to go!!