Prime Minister and Minister for National Security Philip J. Pierre has addressed the misconceptions surrounding the construction of the Halls of Justice building near the Roman Catholic Church in the city centre.
A discussion took place between the management of the Roman Catholic Church in Saint Lucia and the government concerning the Halls of Justice project.
During a media briefing on Monday, PM Pierre stated that the government has engaged in “lots of dialogue” with the Church, recognising the importance of addressing the concerns raised.
“We are involved in intensive dialogue. There is no conflict; we have only dialogue,” he asserted.
“I assure you that we seek no conflict with the Catholic Church, and we will not experience any conflict with the Catholic Church,” the Prime Minister emphasised. “We are committed to achieving a win-win situation regarding this matter.”
While acknowledging that “it is an ongoing project,” he stated that “discussions are very active.” He maintained that there is no deadlock, nor any significant problems to contend with between the Church and government.
PM Pierre highlighted that the discussions will persist, admitting that “there are concerns from the Catholic Church, and we will address these with open deliberation, discussion, compromise, and consensus.”
He concluded with a strong assertion: “This is my approach as Prime Minister. I do not claim to know everything, nor do I present myself as an expert in every matter. I make decisions based on consensus, after evaluating all the pros and cons, discussing with my colleagues, and consulting with stakeholders. That’s how I lead.”
This construction of the Halls of Justice which is positioned opposite to the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries, has sparked comments from the United Workers Party (UWP).
The party’s Political Leader, Allen Chastanet, has made it clear that, “If the Catholic Church does not want to speak for themselves out loud, we will speak for them.”
The UWP strongly opposes the selected location for the Halls of Justice asserting that the towering new structure will obstruct public views of the historic church.
The Halls of Justice building is projected to encompass 100,000 square feet and rise five floors. Reports indicate these objections transcend mere political rhetoric since the Archbishop has sent a letter to the government voicing the Church’s concerns.
“Conversations have taken place, and the Archbishop has articulated concerns in writing to the Prime Minister about both the proximity and the sheer size of the Halls of Justice in relation to the church,” a church official revealed.
At a media briefing last month, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre acknowledged that the chosen area has historically been intended for court use and recognised the city’s space constraints. He stated that the five-story structure will amalgamate all court operations and emphasised that, “City space is a valuable commodity right now.”
The Prime Minister assured that the government is committed to engaging in discussions with church officials “to explore options that allow both the church and the Halls of Justice to coexist harmoniously.”
Both parties are seeking a resolution that appropriately balances urban development with the preservation of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage.
The Halls of Justice, established through a Build Own Lease Transfer (BOLT) agreement between the Government of Saint Lucia and Themis LTD, will accommodate three key judicial divisions: criminal, civil, and family. The facility will feature 14 courtrooms, six Magistrate chambers, nine Judge’s chambers, 11 witness rooms, ten administrative offices, a law library, a 26-seater conference room, a police post, holding cells, and a high-security defendants dock in the criminal court.
In response to these pressing issues, clergy and laity of the Roman Catholic Church convened recently with planning and development professionals to explore strategies that mitigate the anticipated impacts of the Halls of Justice project on the operations of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Micoud Street in Castries.
During a closed consultation at the Pastoral Centre in Marisule, church officials engaged in discussions with developer representatives, with the Prime Minister attending two of these meetings.
Church officials, led by Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire, have expressed serious concerns about the Halls of Justice project, citing its potential risks to the Cathedral’s structural integrity and aesthetics.
While meetings with the developer and Prime Minister Pierre have been constructive, the Church is seeking professional insights to fully understand the project’s implications. The Archbishop acknowledged the need for a facility to support the judiciary but emphasized the importance of addressing the project’s scale and its possible negative impacts on Church operations.
He noted that the Church was not adequately consulted during the design phase and aims to articulate its concerns in upcoming consultations.
[R.A.]