2 churches get half the cash
Posted on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 07:52 in FOI
(CNS): Of the $4.1 million dollars that the premier has given to 16 different churches and church groups over the last two years from the Nation Building Fund, more than half has gone to just two churches. The Wesleyan Holiness Church, with its primary base in West Bay, and the Church of God have between them received a total of almost $2.6 million. The remaining one and a half million has been split across 14 other church groups, including the Seventh Day Adventists, the Church of God Chapel and the Cayman Ministers Association. According to the release of information by the finance ministry following two Freedom of Information requests, one by CNS, the donations to churches are diverse, ranging from only $12,000 given to one church compared to more than $1.3 million to another.
The John Grey Memorial Church was given the $12,000 donation, which was described as "church based support". While the Wesleyan Holiness Church received around $1.3 million and the Church of God also received $1.275m in grants.
According to the records, the Wesleyan Holiness Church in West Bay, the church attended by the premier, received $250,000 in January 2010 to purchase land, it then received a second grant of $350,000 in May of the same year, the details of which were not revealed. Then again in September 2010 it received another unexplained grant of $400,000 and another unspecified donation of $300,000 in March of this year.
Meanwhile, the Church of God in Bodden Town received two grants in 2010, one for $400,000 in April and a second grant was given in May, described as "church based support", for $300,000. Then in March this year the same church received another donation of $300,000 for hurricane shutters. Meanwhile, the Frank Sound branch was given a $75,000 grant in March 2010 and the West Bay congregation also received $50,000 in April 2010. A further $50,000 was donated in June, which, according to the document released under the FOI, was for “starting a new church”.
The Chapel Church of God in West Bay received $250,000 in April 2010 and the Church of God Chapel in West Bay received $100,000 in June this year for what was described as “assistance in the completion”, but of what it did not say nor is it clear if these two are in fact the same church.
Other churches receiving six figure sums include the All United Pentecostal Church, which received a nation building grant in February 2010 of $100,000 and another of $75,000 in March 2011. The Seventh Day Adventist Church in West Bay also received $200,000 in April 2010 and then was given another grant “for assistance in completion” of $100,000 in June of this year.
The New Testament Church in West Bay also received $100,000 this year in June for “building assistance” as did a new church group, the Light of the World Church, in March, thought the purpose of the grant was not specified. The Covenant Moravian Church received the very specific figure of $104,990.62 for assistance in building a church hall.
All other grants were considerably smaller, with St. George’s Church receiving only $15,000 towards a land purchase.
The premier said last week that the donations to churches from the nation building programme were good value for money as it helped them to create more hurricane shelter space but also because of the importance of the churches to the Cayman Islands community.
“Perhaps the fundamental justification for supporting the churches, however, may be more readily grasped if we ask ourselves this: what would our society have been like; what, in today’s pressured realities would it be like, were it not for our churches? Where else would we get the enduring ethical guidance that our churches continue to urge upon us?” the premier asked his parliamentary colleagues last week, when he spoke about the nation building programme.
Listed as TP52 in the budget documents this year, the national building programme has been allocated over $3 million, bringing the total allocated to this item to more $10 million of public money since it was introduce into the 2009/10 budget. There is, however, no specific guidelines on how the money is given out and under which criteria according to the premier applications can be made to the ministry to the nation building programme and each is considered on its merit.
See breakdown of allocations to churches below
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As a young Caymanian who
As a young Caymanian who has come to that crossroad in my life that i have recognized that i have a lot of changes to make in my life and have asked God to come into my life and guide me to his side.
I have always been hesitant on attending churches, meanly because the bible says that "the false prophets will lead the flock astray", now after seeing and hearing this, i know that i was right in my feelings of the churches here, when i pray to God i always asked him to please lead me to a true God Fearing Church (church of a pastor who is a genuine Christian) and to this day I have yet to enter that church.
I go to church exactly one time for the year and that is new years eve night, I end the year in the Lord's house and start the new year there, instead of going out and partying( I am 36yrs old), but this is the only time that I actually enter into a church.
Everything that we see unfolding before our eyes has been carefully planned and now it is being executed.
We the people have but one voice let us make it be heard loud and clear.
Denounce this and all of McKeeva plans.
PPM you are the Opposition and since UDP are not doing their job you as the Opposition get up off your asses and put your heads together and unite the people to remove him from his pedestal you all are the ones who are suppose to know the laws of the land therefore you all know that there are many that he has contravened now do something about it, no excuses about UDP has the majority in the LA, all of you put together does not outnumber us the constituents’.
The new PPM leader needs to put his profession as a lawyer to some damn use not walking around looking for every Newspaper and CITN camera to show he face in, he was chosen as the better man now he needs to get to task and stop this mad man.
I am not saying that this would help be re-elected when the next elections come around because from what we have seen is constant 2year olds bickering back and forth when it comes to all of them, but since we paying him a very nice salary he need to earn every cent of it or he is just as bad as McKeeva is.
And to my fellow West Bayers, I don't know how many of you drive every morning along WB Rd, in the mornings to work, but I would like to ask each of you who do, please remember the beautiful view as you reach the Tiki Beach/Courtyard Marriott area where you can see the beautiful harbor view, as you are reading this you are picturing this scene think of how you look and admire the sheer beauty that you are so very privileged to see each and every morning as you head into work, think how peaceful that scene makes you feel as you drive along that stretch of road, for those of you love this view, just imagine when this road is no longer there for you to travel!!!
Petitions are needed to show how many people are against all of these plans that McKeeva has on his agenda.
Where are they??? PPM!!!!
In the Thursday, August 11
In the Thursday, August 11 edition of the Caymanian Compass story entitled "Auditor General to review 'Nation Building' fund," the Premier is quoted in the article as saying:
“Be mindful of where we have come from, and where we might end up, if we’re not careful,” Mr. Bush said.
It might be said the the Premier is almost prophetic. What result might his prediction produce?
fires of hell? jail
fires of hell?
jail time?
slap on the wrist
a new car!
choose 1
WE ARE HURTING! A very
WE ARE HURTING! A very selfish act. He raised all the permit fees from Blue Collars to the White Collars. As a result, struggling Caymanians like me who was once independent employing both locals and expats had to close my business as it became very challenging to operate a business in my own island. As a result he robbed from an ordinary man like me and many other Caymanians to give the church 4 million dollars. I no longer have a business and my three apartments which I used to rent to the White Collar tenants told me that their boss had to down size due to the increase in work permit fees, as a result my apartments are now empty.
My experience is clearly that Caymanians are HURTING.
Have you listened to some of
Have you listened to some of those who profess to teach our young people morals and ethics? Half of them are promoting their church, or themselves. Why is it that the three branches of religion based on the Bible are constantly trying to eliminate the each in some way or form. The muslims and the jews can't seem to get along, the jews and the Christians can't come to an agreement on certain biblical writings. And worst of three, are the Christians! Yes it's true! Not only do the Christians disagree with the other two groups mentioned, but they are biased against each other, claiming that "their" particular sect or church are the true followers of Christ's teachings. How arrogant? Think about this: The Bible plainly states that the Jews are God's chosen people,, but "they" do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah nor do they believe in hell as we do. Yet we all agree that they are God's chosen people! My advice to everyone is this: Stop listening to those behind the pulpit who give the impression that they know what God is thinking, proclaiming to be god's anointed. But I say, hold on to your wallet or purse, and don't let them get near you, cause the only thing they want is your money." My advise to all who believe in Jesus Christ is to do exactly what he says! That is to follow the Ten Commandments. If we do this God will surly bless. And we'll see each other in heaven one day.
This out-pouring of funds to
This out-pouring of funds to churches without a cause reminds me of the 2003 status grant.
Never mind this hurts even worst - because UDP are taking food out of people'smouth to buy votes for UDP party - but its one thing for sure - 2003 status grant sent them in exile and sowiil be the church grants- We will show them who we are comes next election..We don't want UDP and we do not want PPM - but we still got to be careful of the independents, remember lots of them were belong to UDPand PPM if they had gotten in.
To: THIS OUT POURING OF
To: THIS OUT POURING OF MONEY, you are right on the mone!!! Lol, this IS another buyout, after the People stood up against the EE port project by having the march, Mckeeva can't afford for Dart (McKeevas' God) projects to be prosponed or denied by the People doing that same to him, he has more to lose with Dart then Imparato, the Mortgage scheme is for his "lazy ass supporters that are more than willing to recieve any scraps that he throws out the back door for them, rather than get up off they lazy asses. Not the hard working and in much needed assistance people, so if you are not one of these don't make no plans or stop worrying if you going be one of these lucky ones, cause your not. But hey if you belong to one of the Churches you may stand a lil chance (NOT) that been deposited into the pastors account, when the sunday sermon being prepared you can bet you going to hear Mckkeeva name ringing just as much or more than the Almighty's!!! So sad......
Is that XXXXX 'investigation'
Is that XXXXX 'investigation' ever going to be completed??? God have mercy on us.
Oh what a weeping and wailing
Oh what a weeping and wailing when the hyprocrites burn. Millions won't save you then. Religion is one of the biggest cons, one only have to watch most of the preachers on TBN to see exactly what I am talking about. I believe in God and I long for the day when he will make his appearance and put the spot light on the fakes, what a day that will be. All those secret sins and all the lies... If only for the children please come back and put an end to this mess.
We gonna chase those crazy
We gonna chase those crazy bald heads out of town. Build your penitentiary , we build your schools, you brainwash education to make us the fools. Hate was your reward for our love, taking about your God above. Here comes the con man coming with his con plans we won't take no bribes got to stay alive we gonna chase those crazy bald head out of town.
There shall in that time be
There shall in that time be rumors of things going astray, erm, and there shall be a great confusion as to where things really are, and nobody will really know where lieth those little things with the sort of raffia-work base, that has an attachment. At that time, a friend shall lose his friend's hammer, and the young shall not know where lieth the things possessed by their fathers that their fathers put there only just the night before, about eight o'clock.
As an observer, I am puzzled
As an observer, I am puzzled at the generous hand out of money to some churches while much was being said about the government’s financial dilemma and feel that churches that did receive such contributions, should give an account to the general public about how the money was used. If it was abused they wont only have to answer to the public, but to the Almighty God as well.
Since some of the comments seem to be based on assumptions, I would like to present some ideas on the subject.
The Holy Bible says: “Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.”
The Holy Bible also states that Christ’s followers are the salt of the earth (an element that preserves).
Just so you will know in
Just so you will know in future: salt is a mineral, not an element.
Just so you will know in
Just so you will know in future, Mac is a burger, not a real man.
You have entirely missed the
You have entirely missed the point and the intentions of ANY church is not being questioned. What IS the question is whether government should support several small targeted groups with PUBLIC funds at the EXPENSE of the GENERAL PUBLIC. 4 million would have gone a long way to support local PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, and at a PUBLIC INSTITUTION, you’re not pressured(at least in theory) to take up an ideology because you’re not rewarded or promoted based upon your PERSONAL religious views. The reason why the PUBLIC is so disgusted is because this appears to be one more creepy attempt of a few people (usually Christians) who think they are the "chosen ones", and so set up a PUBLIC reward system where if you believe their PERSONAL beliefs, then expect a PUBLIC sanctioned back-scratching payout from the government.This is not only blatant XXXX, this is a subliminal suppression of free will and alternative lines of thinking, by indirectly discrediting people for expressing their own views which might not have the Christian label, but would be just as rewarding if not more progressive and informative on a factual basis, in addition to being less insulting and invasive of PERSONAL life choices.
You become a Christian on a volunteer basis from a belief in a higher power that you will be rewarded in HEAVEN, not because you expect to be rewarded from the Government or your Employer on EARTH. If you don't like the consequences of your beliefs, don't try to change the public system to your convenance, which basically means indoctrinating/brainwashing the whole public on an involuntary basis to your whims.
I think I may be a little in
I think I may be a little in love with this poster...
That sounds like Mac's kind
That sounds like Mac's kind of love.
We need a law to set up a
We need a law to set up a register of banned politicians that cannot run for office here ever again where we could list the current 9 UDP elected members. They haven't found one single way to increase revenue because all their efforts have been concentrated on devising schemes to give away what little we do collect XXXX. Surely it must be illegal to give away Government money with such callous disregard.
How much did Agape get
How much did Agape get again??
I can assure Agape (formerly
I can assure Agape (formerly The Church on Hospital Road, before then Church of Christ) did not receive one red cent. This church does not socilite donations as a matter of fact this church has always had money and for well over 30 years have not passed a collection plate around. It has changed dramatically since the early days but still maintains a sound principal of responsibility and have always had a treasury independant of the minister. This is not one of those get rich, scheme church. Let me tell you for many year for at least 20 year this church did not have a paid minister nor did it pass a collection plate and operated just fine. If you must know this church back in the 70's and 80's single handed run the prision ministry evey sunday at the GT jail long before Northward by a group of young Caymanian women and men who took pleasure in visiting and share with inmates while many of the churches now getting hand out for nation building did not exist or saw themselves as too righteous to visit inmates. Before these newbies go questioning churches they better learn the history of Cayman expecially what churches existed and the roles they played in nation building.
Are you the treasurer of the
Are you the treasurer of the Agape Church? If so please feel free to state that fact! Please, please, don't be intimidated by the thought of potential repercussions. We must stand up and challenge this despotism! By the way a lot of those who knock the U.S. about it's immorality should know that just recently they convicted a powerful judge for something similar as what's going on here. He now has three decades [30 years] in the pen, to think about it. Guess how much he had taken and miss-used from a children's fund? Answer $i,000,000.00. Think it'll happen here? Ask yourself this question. When was the last time you heard of a politician or a judge being convicted and sentenced in the Cayman? What wee need is for thousand's of us to march to the Government Administration Building and demand that there be an accounting of all these funds. And if someone is found guilty of the misuse of funds then lets send them to northward like any other criminal.
No plate was ever passed
No plate was ever passed around, and they never received any benefits or "gifts"...hmmmm.....money and mana must have just came from the sky....
It means that members
It means that members contribute freely and generously. Is that a strange concept for you?
Mr Premier please read this
Mr Premier please read this before you give away anymore of the people's money because of the global recession people will not have jobs and forget your pie in the sky investment junket trips it just won't happen look at what is happening in Dubai a place you went searching for business.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34762339/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/shattered-dubai-dream-echoes-across-mideast/
I am going to built a church
I am going to built a church in West bay so i can get some money from the Government!!!! Its like winning the lotto.
What a mess! What to say
What a mess! What to say about such a blatant abuse of public trust?
Opposition? Other Politicians (current and past)? Mr. Governor? Deputy Governor?
Nothing?.....thought so!
Time for us the people to march for Ethical, Transparent, Accountable Governtment! And to demand laws with teeth and Enforcement of the laws!
Ellio was always bashing the
Ellio was always bashing the PPM for what he perceived as a irresponsible government. With all the gross irresponsible behavior of the UDP and their attitude towards FOI he has gone rather quiet. This is the time that he should be twice as vocal in crying out against an obvious waste of public funds. I guess we all know the answer.
Mr Bush is depriving the
Mr Bush is depriving the people of these islands of much needed funds this in itself is good enough grounds to challenge him on abuse of power.
He has got to go now!!!!!!!
The way you people act about
The way you people act about the Premier giving donations to churches for nation building you would swear that he was giving it to the Mob. Caymanians have become so greedy that now they even resent giving to the house of God. I hope when the next hurricane blows they don't call up the radio stations for them to play christian songs nor should they run to the many churches praying to God to save them. It seems as if people now a days only use God and churches for convenience.
"God is gonna get you to
"God is gonna get you to prove me right"....could you please remember you arn't talking to 2-year olds who still believe in Santa Clause....
If somebody needs help, regardless of the religion, I will offer it and I don't need the Bible to to force me to be a good person out of fear of what will happen to me from some imaginary man in the sky.
There is none so blind as he
There is none so blind as he who will not see.
There is only one favour I
There is only one favour I want to ask Mr Dart. Will you please Build a church, one that can hold about 50,000. people. because Cayman needs a revival.
Sorry Winston Rose, you and
Sorry Winston Rose, you and McKeeva Bush are no longer going to tell the Caymanian people what is the right or wrong thing to do with their money. You know as well as McKeeva does the current financial situation with our government and you have the gall to say there is nothing wrong with what he has done? And you know very well that that money could have been very much better spent to benefit our community as a whole. If McKeeva was giving ME a million dollars of someone else's money I would probably say it was the right thing to do too. You need to make this right with God and with the Caymanian people who had no say and do not agree with McKeeva giving either you or your church a million dollars of THEIR money right in the middle of some of the worst economic woes this country has ever known, and when, as you very well know, government does not have money to complete their own more important projects. This is absolutely ridiculous.
time for a march to the
time for a march to the governors house!
Please someone explain to me
Please someone explain to me who gave the Premier the right to give that much money to the churches. The people of the churches they worship at support their churches. This isn't for government to do. There are private schools, government schools that needed that money.....I am completely baffled at this and can't believe that nothing can be done about it. We have TWO MORE YEARS, can you imagine the damage that will be done in those two years???????
To be honest i have been a
To be honest i have been a complacent caymanian, i do my job, support my family and keep out of politics thinking i cant do anything. BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. Mckeeva preaches that we are a christian island that he is doing everything for our prosperity yet his decisions are shadowy and he behaves like a dictator and now he sees fit to line his church pockets! It makes me shudder to think what i will read in the news tomorrow. I am going to my MLA who is with me?
With all this scandal, we
With all this scandal, we each have to reognize a few things. 1) Our personal bias
2) Our personal preference
3) Our personal gain
Eevything surrounds personal gain. Evrything. Church, work, play. Eveything we do is for personal gain.
Example, whatever we do, even if not rewarded financially, we look for a "blessing on the other side", or a "good word about us from others", or to "prove my point".
What if...and it is a big what if...Mc needed a blessing for him and the country? What better way than to build God's house. wheather ypu beleive in Karma or a God who rewards what you sow, or you beleive only in your power. Beleive this, until you are honest with yourselves, your opinion doesn't matter!
BOOYAKAH!
Idiot!
Idiot!
R U nuts?....
R U nuts?....
Your (befuddled) opinion
Your (befuddled) opinion doesn't matter.
Thank you for pointing out
Thank you for pointing out the obvious and obfuscating
the huge disparity in the ability of some groups (religious mostly)
to wrench their personal preferences over other groups.
You are the perfect example of the perversion of government
to enslave others in your personal ideology, that is, we
shouldn't care that public funds are mismanaged to the effect that
a group of the public remain incompetent to crawl out of the economic
hole that you continue to believe is business as usual.
Utterly disgusting.
Utterly disgusting.
MY JESUS IS NOT DEAD. 4 Mil.
MY JESUS IS NOT DEAD. 4 Mil. given to churches when Caymanians salaries are cut, unemployment is high, electricity and water bills are being disconnected from the homes that have single mothers.
(A) Children graduating with a fraction of education. These very kids wake up and have no JOBS, no HOPE, no lives. A lot of them are HUNGRY,
(B) They see their parents crying because they are no monies to feed them or reconnect the basics, that is CUC, Water and FOOD. So they plan a robbery, they find the guns and they KEEP THEM.
(C) Give these children an opportunity. THEY all need help. Hire genuine Locals to seek out these homes which I have described and assist them. They exist right here and they need help.
(D) I am a Christian and I contribute my sum to the plate every Sunday, but I also assist the poor with more. Just that, I cannot do it alone. The Church which I love dearly assist others overseas with their missionary work, but I believe we could start some missionary work right here.
(E) Get these young people equipped so that they can turn in their guns and do not feel rejected in their own island.
(F) By the way, I am not a Caymanian only a paper one from the caribbean , but I do see the NEED for these people that I love so dearly and my heart ache for them.
(G) Please start building Factories and Trade Schools, become innovative and employ these women to make things in the factories and export stuff, just do something. I find myself crying while ending this memo it really hurts what is happening to the POOR Caymanians. My Jesus is not dead and He knows that the Churches can take care of themselves.
My sentiments eactly. I am a
My sentiments eactly. I am a Caymanian married and living in the US now. Everytime I speak to my parents, siblings and other family they express their concern about the hard times that are impacting them at home. Truly my heart bleeds for my country. And I agree with the above post it is for the church members to return in tithes and offerings a portion of that which the Lord blesses them. May God help us all to do our part to get our beloved isle Cayman out of the present mess!
Which Government committee
Which Government committee decide how to distribute the $10 million slush fund that was stolen from the people of Cayman? Which legislature authorized these decisions?
Or was this done merely by consultation between the Premier, himself, and possibly God?
one in the same here
one in the same here
The "Committee of One", the
The "Committee of One",
the Big Boss,
Boss Hogg,
HNIC,
Head Honcho,
El Guapo,
El Jefe,
the Duke,
El Numero Uno,
the Big Mac,
the Whopper-ous One,
the Big Enchilada,
the Big Gulp,
Super-Mac,
Mighty Mac,
El Presidente,
Chairman of the Board of Boards,
Tucco,
King of the Volcano,
blah blah blah...
It seems to me that in this
It seems to me that in this government's trying financial times, we should be trusting in the churches to bathe us all in God's eternal riches and glory. How on earth that is being switched completely the other way around is totally beyond me. If the churches are going to insist on becoming a financial burden on our community then they are very simply not serving their purpose of demonstrating God's glory to the entire world and should be eradicated rather than grossly supported with other people's money by one uneducated, simple minded individual.
Maybe CNS should find out how
Maybe CNS should find out how much of the donations to the Bodden Town Church of God has to do with the contruction of the new Hurricane Shelter/Church of Gods new Worship center.
If you look through the responses you will see a very high number of individuals liking thier church leader to a criminal. The Church of God was in the process of building their new worship center, when the Government approached them for a joint venture in converting this same worship center to a hurricane shelter. The construction requirements for a hurricane shelter is significantly higher than that of a regular worship hall. Therefore Government had to provide extra funds to Church of God.
If that is correct then you are calling the wrong people criminal here.
We have $90 million worth of
We have $90 million worth of hurricane shelter in Frank Sound if the Government would please STOP farting around and get them finished for God's sake.
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