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While we were at that meeting, we got a chance to speak with Church Senator Ashley Rocke to get a response on the call for his resignation or his removal. 

As we showed you on Thursday, the retribution against him was swift when Catholic Bishop Dorrick Wright urged the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches and the other members of the Belize Council of Churches take steps to remove him. That call for his removal was echoed by the National Evangelical Association of Belize. Even though they had no say in his appointment, they say that they speak for the vast majority of churches who were once a part of the BAEC.

So, we couldn’t reach him last week, but before he entered the meeting with the Prime Minister, he granted us a few brief comments saying that he is perfectly ready to step down should the people who put him there decide do so. Pastor Howell Longsworth, the President of the BAEC, which was pivotal in his instalment, said that Senator Rocke has nowhere to go:

Daniel Ortiz
"This call has been for your removal as Senator; what's your response to something like that seeing as though it is so strong and so wide spread?"

Ashley Rocke - Senator for the Churches
"The call for my removal is not an issue with me. I took up this responsibility, I did what I had to do and if the church or anybody think that I don't belong there, that doesn't bother me."

Daniel Ortiz
"Would you step down gracefully if a vote of no confidence is given against you?"

Ashley Rocke - Senator for the Churches
"Naturally; there are two entities I represent, I represent the Council of Churches and I represent the Belize Evangelical Association of Churches."

Geovannie Brackett - Plus TV
"So you are willing if the Catholic Church who is a member of the Council of Churches and the wider National Evangelical Association comes together and say they have lost confidence in you, you are willing to fight them into represent the minority who may express their views and support for you?â€￾

Ashley Rocke - Senator for the Churches
"No fight. Like I told you, I took this on if they want to take it away I walk away."

Daniel Ortiz
"This call for Ashley Rocke's removal as Senator for the churches what's your response on it? Is it something that you would entertain?"

Pastor Howell Longsworth - President, Belize Evangelical Assoc. of Churches
"Of course certainly not; the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches met in an emergency meeting and we have completely supported our Senator's position to remain. We met today with the Council of Churches and they too have agreed not to withdraw the Senator and that's it."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir how would you answer to the criticism that for a large membership of the former members of the BAEC, still wants his resignation?"

Pastor Howell Longsworth - President, Belize Evangelical Assoc. of Churches
"Do bad they are not authorised only the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches and the Council of Churches are the two authorised bodies to pick our Senator which we did and so it remains and we are not withdrawing that."

Daniel Ortiz
"Clarify for us sir you just said that you've met with your membership and the Belize Council of Churches and the consensus is Ashley Rocke will remain?

Pastor Howell Longsworth - President, Belize Evangelical Assoc. of Churches
"Yes and not only the Evangelical Council but the whole entire Baptist Association has agreed along with us to ensure that he remains in that position."

Viewers will remember that Rocke’s initial appointment caused a disagreement between the old Evangelical Association, the BAEC, and the new Evangelical Association, the NEAB.