The Development Control Authority has ordered an immediate stop to construction of the large statue at Glorious Hope Ministries, deepening the controversy surrounding the monument.
Officials said the church must show proof of proper authorization. Sources said approval was granted, but not for the location where the statue stands.
Elder Claude Weaver, the church’s leader, said all paperwork is in order and that he has complied with the DCA’s request.
The statue—towering over All Saints Road—was meant to symbolize the biblical prophecies in the book of Daniel. Its helmeted head, crossed arms, and muscular frame have drawn mixed reactions, with some calling it a bold expression of faith and others criticizing its size and placement.
With the DCA’s intervention, the future of the statue remains uncertain.
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I think DCA got a call from the POINTE or a really big Dawg.
There will be many views and opinions on this and many would want to suggest that it’s overreach especially because it is a church project. But even churches are subjected to the building laws and regulations of Antigua and Barbuda. The DCA helps to prevent haphazard uncontrolled development ensuring that new structures and land use are in harmony with the surrounding environment and infrastructure. The erection of this structure, however Biblical, required the approval of the DCA. No approval means that the Church was in contravention of the laws as it pertains to the erection of major structures.
This the correct decision by the DCA to halt the construction of this utter monstrosity overlooking All Saints.
I would go further and check that all the necessary paperwork, documentation in the application was done correctly and in order by Elder Cleveland Weaver and the church in question.
This a welcome development by the DCA.
They are not above the planning laws. Those in business, building construction, and land purchasing knows there are no shortcuts whatsoever.
This whole fiasco by this narcissistic Elder comes across as ‘ I’m going to build now and ask questions later’.
Elder Cleveland Weaver you should focus more on feeding the poor and helping the downtrodden in All Saints and beyond.
In my opinion, Elder Claude Weaver should post the documentation he has for the public to see.
“Sources said approval was granted, but not for the location where the statue stands.”
DCA out of order. It’s just a statue. Freedom of religion. All the catholic churches have statues .in them . Sone even have They say some are mother Mary and some is Jesus. If The owner of VEG, who is the pastor of the church decide to put his outside what is the problem.. The statue is not a health hazard it is just a symbol of the doctrine of a new found church in Antigua. Catholic Church goers, worship their graven idol statues. DCA stop being hypocrites .DCA members saw the statue long time but because people start to talk, they get onboard and pretend to do something about it. In Antigua our constitution say freedom of religion. So what is the big deal. He should also put one at VEG. The statue is on VEG property. He should also put one at the entrance road to the church.. if it is a cult, and they ask VEG leader of the church to reak it down he shouldn’t. Let DCA send a backhoe to break it down so that the statue spirit can fling both the operator and the backhoe below LICS
And the saga over the statue continues lol
They didn’t know about it before?
DCA only see things when people talk. If VEG didn’t have DCA approval and ask to break it down he should and get the papers and build it again. All the catholic churches have monstrous statues why DCA never break them down. What is all that fuss about a statue. Man just get DCA approval and build it bigger. None sense. And the leader who is also the owner of VEG, You must build another big one at the entrance road to your church. That church is a break away from the Adventist church. They preach the same doctrine as the seven days Adventist so what is the big deal. And for those who suggested that he should take the money and feed the poor, that is the man money. Government have more money than he so why not call on the government to feed the poor and all those rich Muslims in this country to feed the poor. He should also put one at the entrance of VEG