Government to Restructure Ecclesiastical Commission to Strengthen Church-State Collaboration in Antigua and Barbuda

The government will be restructuring the Ecclesiastical Commission to ensure that it serves the purpose for which it was established.

The Commission, according to last week’s Cabinet notes, is intended to ensure that while both institutions remain separate, a bridge is built that can sustain both in achieving their broad objectives.

Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office Lionel Hurst explains further.

“The social fabric in Antigua and Barbuda that keeps us as Antiguans loving each other and not wanting to kill each other, that social fabric is founded on certain religious principles,” Hurst said.

Hurst also pointed out that there is value to the Ecclesiastical Commission and the influence of the church.

“Since 1879 the separation of church and state has been a classic feature of western civilization and as a consequence we are determined to keep it that way. Nevertheless, we know there has to be a collaboration between church and state in holding the social fabric together,” Hurst said.