Public Administration Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh is still a priest because he did not apply to Rome for dispensation to be released from his vows when he resigned from the priesthood in November 2003.The PNM candidate for St Joseph in Monday's election told reporters Thursday that the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago allows a minister of religion to serve as a Member of Parliament.
There was controversy last year when Father Henry Charles was appointed to head the Integrity Commission without getting the approval of the church. His official reason for quitting within days of his appoint was that his work with the commission would have violated Canon Law.
Section 285 of the Code of Canon Law states that clerics are "forbidden to assume public offices which entail participation in the exercise of civil power".
An article in The Catholic Asian News last month states that this provision means that priests cannot assume public offices which entail the exercise of legislative, administrative and judicial authority.
Swaratsingh said he discussed the matter with the Archbishop at that time who advised that the process to leave the church requires the priest to go to a Canon lawyer and advise the church in Rome.
He told TV6 Morning edition earlier in the day that he never did that so he remains a priest. However under the present circumstances he does not have access to the sacraments.
Swaratsingh said he doesn't plan to function as a priest.
His status was raised by UNC Chairman Jack Warner who asked Swwaratsingh to explain why he resigned as a priest. His admission that he did resign, confirms Warner's statement about quitting.
Warner also raised questions about Swaratsingh's finances. And the Indo Trinidad Equality Council (ITEC) has written the Integrity Commission asking for an investigation of the minister.
Read the story: Jack wants explanation of Swaratsingh's sudden wealth; minister will answer Thursday
Swaratsingh said he has no interest in the property that he allegedly bought for $7.5 million, which is the property of a company owned by members of his family.
However he admitted that he lives at the million-dollar with spouse, children, his mother and mother-in-law.
"It belongs to the family both my family and my wife’s family," he said.
On the question of his credit card he denied spending the amount of money alleged by Warner but did not comment on Warner's allegation that his credit card bills have been paid by a third party.
He also denied that he owns a BMW vehicle as alleged by Warner. Warner claimed that Swaratsingh has a fleet of three vehicles including a Volkswagen Touareg, Toyota Prado and BMW X5.
He only denied owning the BMW. And he said other MPs earning less than him have bought more expensive cars.
He explained that he bought the VW Touareg with a $300,000 loan which has been repaid. The Toyota Prado is valued at $340,000, he said.
Swaratsingh said he is disturbed that the opposition revealed his address and asked the media to leave his family alone.
He said giving out his address has "put my family in harm’s way and I have asked my attorneys to take a very seriously look at that," he said.
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