Controversy In Trinidad Over Aid To Prime Minister's Church

In Trinidad & Tobago, a bitter fight between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his critics is underway involving the extent of government aid to a Christian church with which Manning has ties. Today's T&T Guardian reports that Manning delivered a strongly worded 53-minute statement to the Lower House of Parliament yesterday accusing his critics of persecuting the Full Gospel Fellowship Movement. Two issues have surfaced. One is the extent of government assistance in the construction of the Heights of Guanapo church. Manning says no government funds are being used in the construction, but that the land was given to the church just as the government has granted land over a number of years to many religious groups. T&T Express reports that, according to Manning, over the years the government has given millions of dollars of assistance to a wide variety of religious bodies. The other issue is Manning's relationship with Juliana Penna, leader of the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ Church. Manning has been consulting her as his spiritual advisor. (T&T Express.) Manning denied charges that government funds were used to pay for Penna's travel, and that she accompanied him on his trips. (T&T Express.)