In our newscast before the long holiday break, we told you about how the Roman Catholic Church tried to block the Jamaican artist, Alkaline, from performing at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium for his 20th Night concert. Their attorney, Michel Chebat, managed to convince Justice Courtney Abel to grant them an interim injunction in an ex-parte hearing. The promoters from Marine Sound Entertainment told us that they were going to do everything they could to get the concert to happen and that's just what they did.
You may already know that they succeeded in get their concert to happen, but this sort of move, as far as we, know has no precedent So, for context we take you back to that moment on Saturday when there was still that uncertainty that the promoters would succeed. Martin Castillo, the main promoter, retained Hubert Elrington as his attorney, and they took advantage the opportunity to respond to that interim injunction. That was a one and a half hour hearing in the judge's chambers, and we understand that main points from the promoters' perspective was that the management of Sacred Heart signed contracts which certain legal requirements, and that Alkaline was pledging to give a clean show. This meant that the concert-goers would get to see him perform, but there would not be any of the explicit, violent and explosive lyrical content that Alkaline's music is known for.
After the hearing, we got an interview from both attorneys about the result, and both sides were claiming victory. Here's how they explained it:
Hubert Elrington, Attorney for Marine Promotions
"The injunction was lifted forthwith and it's no longer in place and this was due mainly because my client felt that he did not want to upset the bishop in any way at all. So whatever they could do to give the bishop the assurance that their business is not to interfere with the Catholic morality at all, at all, at all. That that assurance was given or the undertaking was given that we would not do anything that will upset the bishop and the Catholic Church."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, tell us about the reception of this particular decision. We know that yesterday the Roman Catholic Church was staunchly against having Alkaline perform at a Catholic venue."
Hubert Elrington
"Yes, but they did not do so irrationally. They did so because they feared reasonably that Catholic morality was being put under attack and of course if you do that the bishop would not sit idly by. And even though we noted that he was not really a party to the contract and had no business in it we were prepared to overlook that and say to him Bishop we are on the same page with you. We are not here to upset you or your flock or the people of Belize. That's not what we are about."
Michel Chebat, Attorney for Roman Catholic Diocese
"The promoters for this artist came to court and gave an undertaking, a very broad undertaking that he would not sing, act or do anything that would contravene Catholic principles and Catholic morals and in addition they have agreed that we are going to be videotaping the performance so that if we need to enforce that undertaking we will be able to do so."
Daniel Ortiz
"It would seem that you guys have compromised on that position of complete no."
Michel Chebat
"Obviously, our intention has always been to stop this concert but we have to be reasonable also and we have to look at the repercussions for everyone involved. The church is involved, the promoters are involved, the school is involved and there are also people who have purchased tickets who are involved. Clearly I want to send out the message that the church does not condone Alkaline, does not condone his lyrics, does not condone his performance and unfortunately we could not stop him completely today from performing and from carrying out that concert but I think that today sent a very strong message that the bishop of this country is going to stand up for morality and for the teachings of the Catholic Church."
As noted in the interview, agents of the Catholic Church were granted permission to film the entire concert to ensure that Alkaline would respect and follow through with the undertaking, in the same way he did in the concert in St. Kitts and Nevis. The attorney for the Catholic Church says that if he violated that agreement, they could take legal action.
Social media reviews of the concert said that it was poorly attended, that students form Sacred Heart high school and junior college were not allowed to go, and that Alkaline appeared to have given a curt and dispirited show.
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