Consider targeted approach to church assistance

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Government’s announcement of a J$75 million allocation to churches for hurricane recovery has generated considerable public debate. Many people are arguing that churches, as institutions, are generally well resourced and should, therefore, be able to manage repairs without state assistance. Given the many competing demands on limited public funds, this concern is valid and deserves serious consideration.

However, this view risks overlooking an important distinction within the church sector. In Jamaica, not all churches function solely as places of worship. Many small, community-based churches play a vital role in providing services that extend beyond religious activities. Some operate basic schools and provide educational support for children from low-income households – services that contribute directly to community stability and national development.

There should not be a broad-brush distribution of funds to the churches. Rather, assistance should be targeted and conditional. Churches that operate basic schools or provide structured educational services serve a wider public interest, and damage to their facilities affects not only congregants but also students and families who depend on these institutions.

The issue, then, should not be framed as whether churches deserve special treatment but whether public funds can be responsibly directed towards institutions that deliver measurable community benefits. Clear eligibility criteria and transparency in the allocation of funds would help ensure accountability and fairness.

A targeted approach would allow the State to support essential community services where they exist without endorsing blanket funding for all religious institutions.

CARLTON FEARON

Brumalia, Mandeville

Manchester