So, the matter lies now with the churches - will they appeal the section 53 judgment, or can they even launch that appeal? Well we spoke to Pastor Lance Lewis of the National Evangelical Association of Belize today and he told us that his group had just met, and will meet with the other churches next week Thursday to plan their next step.
Now, there is some deadline pressure, since they have three weeks to file an appeal after the written judgment is issued. But, our understanding is that the three weeks commences after the judgment is perfected - which still hasn't happened.
But, timeline aside, legal opinion is still split on whether the churches can appeal. That will be a matter for the Supreme Court to decide - since the Court will have to give them leave for appeal. That's when it will be determined if the churches as interested parties have the standing to launch an appeal. And while the churches are passionate about the issue, some legal experts say that only the Catholics and Anglicans may have standing since they work the "church-state" school management system. Those churches have not arrived at a position yet, so it's too early to tell if they will go ahead and try an appeal.
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