Sep 29 - Secular Humanist Society Questions Whether Religious Groups Receive Government Funding
The Secular Humanist Society of Gibraltar (SHSG) has sent an open letter to the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, asking whether religious groups in Gibraltar receive tax payers’ money.
A statement from the group expands: “This is a question we are asked frequently. We have found it practically impossible to get any clear answer from anybody and are asking for clarity from Government in order for the community to be better informed. For example, recently some extensive construction works have been going on at St Paul’s Church in Varyl Begg Estate, and questions have been asked regarding who is paying for them. We do not know. It’s in everyone’s interest, we believe, to clarify this matter and others like it by asking straightforward questions. It’s for this reason we have written to the Chief Minister requesting a formal meeting, providing him with advance notice of our questions, and making all of this public and transparent for all to see via an Open Letter.
“SHSG fully respects the right of any citizen to religious freedom – which must, of course, include the rights of non-believers to full democratic rights, too. However, we aim to foster a climate of transparency and openness on issues of religion which a modern society, in our view, deserves.
“Issues related to the religions in Gibraltar are no different to any other. As social organisations, the mystique and the mystery is something we must dispel in order to demand the same level of openness required of any other sector of our society. SHSG is interested in bringing clarity and dialogue to issues related to Gibraltar as a secular constitutional state, and we believe opening up public discourse all round can only be helpful.”
“We look forward to hearing from the Chief Minister in order to have the opportunity to discuss the issues,” Darren Olivero, SHSG Chairman stated.
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