The Tribune

MEMBERS of Pilgrim Baptist Temple say all is quiet and back to normal in their congregation since they agreed to keep imprisoned Bishop Randy Fraser as their pastor.

Last week, 133 of Fraser’s supporters voted against having him removed as church leader. A total of 68 members of the church wanted the Bishop to step down.

While tempers flared during the voting process, a parishioner close to the church’s operations, who requested anonymity, told The Tribune that Pilgrim’s congregation just wants to “once again get out of the public spotlight and away from media scrutiny”.

In an attempt to do that, the church yesterday moved to cancel a meeting which was scheduled for tonight.

Interim pastor Leroy Major was to brief members on the way forward leading up to Fraser’s release. He has around 20 months left to complete in his sentence.

Another member lashed out at the media, claiming a reporter deceived ushers during a special service on Sunday.

She said the reporter pretended to be a member of a family who attends the church to gain access to the service.

“The voting is over, I don’t know what is the matter now. Let our church move forward. I don’t, for the life of me, understand why the media don’t just go away and let us get things together.

“There must be some questions of ethics if reporters must lie about who they are to get a story on the backs and dismay of others,” the member said.

Randy Fraser was imprisoned during a retrial in November 2011 for having sexual relations with a girl he was supposed to be counselling. The incidents took place during 2005 and 2006.

About two weeks later, his bail request was denied pending the outcome of appeal.

In June 2012, he attempted to have the judgement overturned in the Court of Appeal, but lost and was ordered back to prison.