The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Christian Council President Ranford Patterson says he was disappointed with the government’s decision to push forward with legalising and taxing the numbers industry. 

Rev Patterson, who made it clear that he will not support any future referenda – including a planned vote to overhaul the Bahamas’ Constitution, said the Christie administration’s actions have categorised the opinions of the electorate as “worthless”.

He took further offence to Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe’s comments in Parliament on Wednesday night that the church’s responsibility is to preach and teach while law markers are to govern.

Rev Patterson was speaking to reporters during a press conference at his home church, Cousin McPhee Cathedral on Carmichael Road, where he said the church would never accept money generated from legalised webshop gaming.

“All I want to say to the Bahamian people,” he said, “is those that have voted and went to the polls and said ‘no’ when the last referendum was held is that we have nothing to be ashamed about. We did what we believed and as a result of us doing the right thing, history will record that the Bahamian people, led by the church stood against what we believe.

“I am disappointed in you coming to me to get my opinion. I give you my opinion and then it means nothing.”

“I thought (Obie Wilchcombe’s comments) were very interesting that all of a sudden now is that our job is to preach and teach when we have over the last many years been activity involved, not in just the preaching and teaching, but also helping and supporting the work of the government.”

Mr Patterson questioned whether any other agency in the Bahamas was assisting people in need as the church had been doing. He said the church had every right to speak on issues of national importance.

“I hear them all the time talking about the church needs to stay out of their business. But we are the ones who are out there feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and sheltering those who are abused.”

Another clergyman, Bishop Albert Hepburn of the United Christian Church reiterated the church’s role in Bahamian society when he said more and more people have become dependent on their outreach programmes.

“The church,” he said, “is the strongest organism and a lively body in this country. We meet the people everyday. Everyday I go to my office there is someone calling for help, calling for assistance. They can’t go to the Minister because it takes so long. Sometimes a year to see the Minister.”