Prime Minister Patrick Manning confirmed Wednesday that a church under construction the Heights of Guanapo is being erected on state lands but not with state funds.In an official statement, Manning also made it clear that he is not the owner of the controversial church.
UNC Chairman and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner first raised the the issue in Parliament last week and challenged Manning to tell the members of the the House of Representatives what he knew about the construction.
Manning declined comment at the time.
But on Wednesday following a media storm over the matter, Manning sent out an official statement outlining his position noting that "the structure is not being built using state funds nor does it belong to the Prime Minister."
It added, "The Church is indeed being constructed on state lands having obtained the requisite approval from the Cabinet since 2006, not unlike other facilities given to numerous and diverse religious bodies throughout Trinidad and Tobago over several administrations.
"Over the years, the State has been supportive of ecclesiastical bodies either by direct grants; lease of land or facilitation and in this particular case, the involvement of the State does not differ in any material way.
"The Honourable Prime Minister will address the matter of Church/State relations in a comprehensive manner in the Parliament in an effort to respond to concerns raised by the public," Manning said in the document dated February 24, 2010.
No group or individual has claimed ownership of the multi-million-dollar structure. And Manning did not say which religious denomination or individuals applied for the state. He also did not explain the reason for his visit to the construction site on several occasions.
Media reports have stated that the person who laid the foundation stone for the church is Rev Apostle Juliana Pena, who is close to the prime minister and travels with him on foreign trips.
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