Day 1 in Belize

Its a long haul to get from Cupids, Newfoundland to Belize city! But after an overnight in Houston, I finally arrived on Monday at noonish.

Father Eric Richards (a retired priest in the diocese of Belize) and his wife and granddaughter greeted me at the airport. After bringing me to the  small B&B that I am staying at to drop off my bags, happily gave me a driving tour of the city of Belize, before having lunch in an old colonial style building overlooking the ocean, and then delivering me to the diocesan office and Bishop Phillip - who showed me an agenda that didn't leave me much time for being a tourist! But that's ok :)

After conversations with Fr.Eric and Bishop Phillip I quickly came to realize that there are similarities between Belize and Newfoundland and Labrador - which unfortunately does not include sun, warm temperatures, and palm trees!!

The population of Belize is approximately 300,000 (NL is 500k). Most of the country is rural and undeveloped. It has a high unemployment rate. It has significant English and Colonial influence. It speaks mostly English, but has it's own unique or native language. And many of its people move out in order to find work and a better living for their families. Sounds like Newfoundland and Labrador at a glance!

But of course Belize is not Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a very poor democratic country that is trying to find its way forward in making a better society for all its people.

The Church has a role in Belize "finding its way forward." As one comes to know their Divine Life in Christ, they come to know their responsibility to help their neighbour, they come to know their responsibility to build up their town or city, they come to know their responsibility to build up their country. Our faith is not an individual faith, it is a faith that builds up society's that are just, equal and free.

The Church in Belize has a responsibility to help move its society forward.
We too in the Church in Newfoundland and Labrador have a responsibility to help move society forward - both in Belize and at home.