March 9, 2010 – Belize City, Belize…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Belize closed all 25 of its schools last Friday as a demonstration against escalating violence in the country and the “ongoing murders” of Belize citizens — most recently the killing of one of its members Teddy R. Murillo Jr. Murillo, who was shot to death early on Saturday, Feb. 27. He was allegedly killed by a law enforcement officer, who was questioned and released.
Murillo, who had just turned 21 last month, was a member of the Mount Zion Adventist Tabernacle in Belize City-the first church established in the city. He was also an active Master Guide, member of the youth group, and served as a deacon.
Murillo becomes the second Adventist to be killed in recent years, according to Pastor Abilio Cima, executive secretary and communication director for the church in Belize. A 19-year-old Adventist woman was murdered about five years ago. Pastor Cima says there are two other cases in the span of three years where citizens were allegedly murdered by police. He says one case is still in the courts, and the other was dismissed due to lack of witnesses.
“People are afraid to witness because their lives are at risk,” says Pastor Cima.
“By closing our schools we wanted to show the community at large that we are a people against violence,” says Cima, “but more importantly, that through the preaching of the gospel we create safer environments. We also took a stand as an organization and called on the attention of our government to do something urgently to stop crime and violence.”
Hundreds of mourners crowded the Mount Zion Adventist Tabernacle last Sunday, Mar. 7 for a special memorial service for Murillo. The funeral service was carried live on the local Love TV station.
Murillo attended James Garbutt Adventist Primary School, Canaan Adventist High School, and was currently in his first year at the University of Belize. He was pursuing an associate’s degree in agriculture.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is the second largest church in Belize with over 34,000 members worshipping in 76 churches and congregations.
