Dear Editor,

We refer to an article of March 24, “Churches among biggest offenders – Mayor” , which stated in part:

“The mayor, who said he has already had to order two churches closed because of building violations, said the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has again locked horns, this time with a burgeoning international church group which is seeking permission to erect a cathedral with a 6,000 seating capacity in the Maxfield Avenue area of St Andrew.

“McKenzie said the KSAC turned down the application because of the size and scope of the endeavour, one major issue being inadequate parking for a building of that size.

“He said the group — which the Observer has since learned is the fast spreading Universal Church — tried to override the council’s decision by approaching former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and then present Prime Minister Bruce Golding.”

I wish to state on behalf of the Universal Church the following:

(1) The Universal Church applied to the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation to build a church with a seating capacity for 2,050 persons. This was not accepted by the KSAC and the church was requested to modify its plan.

(2) This we did and resubmitted our application on June 22, 2009, this time for a building with a seating capacity for 1,440 persons.

(3) This application was approved by the KSAC’s Building and Town Planning Committee at its meeting on November 18, 2009, and conveyed to us by way of a letter, dated November 26, 2009.

(4) The construction of the church building on Maxfield Avenue has not yet started, and at no point did the Universal Church ever seek approval to build a church with a seating capacity of 6,000.

(5) The issue of parking was resolved by way of the church purchasing nearby properties which would enable members of the church adequate parking. This plan was approved by the National Works Agency.

(6) No member of the leadership of the Universal Church has ever raised or discussed this matter with former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

(7) In a meeting with Prime Minister Golding in November 2009, a visiting senator from Brazil with a latter signed by President Lula, in discussing the ongoing relationship between Brazil and Jamaica, cited as an example the integration of the Universal Church in the Jamaican society. No effort or request was made by the Universal Church to seek the prime minister’s assistance with the building approval.

Bishop Claudio Botello DaSilva

24-26 Trinidad Terrace

Kingston 5

uckgjamaica@hotmail.com