By Denise Maycock
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREEPORT – Executive Members of the Grand Bahama Christian Council will have to await the outcome of an investigation that has been launched into accusations of an alleged homosexual relationship involving a senior pastor.
“Anyone can make allegations but it must be proven,” said Rev Glenroy Bethel. “If it is proven, then the Body of Christ must take action. And if the allegations are not true, action must also be taken to clear (his) name.”
According to reports, a young man has come forward and claimed that he and the pastor were involved in a relationship.
After the allegations surfaced, council members voted for his removal.
However, the vote to oust him was blocked when several past Council presidents, including Rev Freddie McAlpine, Rev JC Wallace, and Bishop Leslie Woodside and others, intervened.
The group of pastors advised that such a removal went against the Church/Council’s Constitution and called for an inquiry to be held first before any action is taken.
The pastor at the centre of the row could not reached for comment up to press time on Sunday. However, it is understood that he plans to hold a press conference sometime this week concerning the allegations.
Meanwhile, news of the allegations has sent shockwaves throughout the Christian community on Grand Bahama.
“It is a shocker and these allegations need to be cleared up,” said Rev Glenroy Bethel. “This has come as a surprise to us as a church family (in GB), and we hope that the allegations are not true.”
Pastor Napthali Cooper is heading a committee that has been appointed to conduct an inquiry into the allegations.
Comments
GrassRoot 10 years, 1 month ago
"the Body of Christ must take action" - really? I think this a plain and straight blasphemic statement. Dear Preachermen, don't confuse yourselves with the Ultimate Authority.
vinceP 10 years, 1 month ago
LMFAO!!!! I guess they have not seen the Alleged allegations that were made towards Rev. Patterson on Tribune Online a few weeks ago.
JohnDoes 10 years, 1 month ago
Church is for Sinners.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 1 month ago
So what the Committee ga do?????? Call for papers and persons??????check the emails??????? check phone records?????? check the CCTV?????? interrogate the members?? Go super-sleuth Nat!!!!!!!!!!! Find the bongy bandit. LOL
PastorTroy 10 years, 1 month ago
“Anyone can make allegations but it must be proven,” said Rev Glenroy Bethel. “If it is proven, then the Body of Christ must take action. And if the allegations are not true, action must also be taken to clear (his) name.” THE AUDACITY! I am constantly amazed these 10,000lbs name/titles that some of these self-appointed so call leaders give themself as a ploy to intentionally deceive the uninformed and the uneducated. "The Body Of Christ"?????? Really? is living in our Bahamaland? The title "Followers Of Christ" I can understand, it can simply mean you're not perfect, but our trying, but to give yourselves such "spotless" "Unadulterated" name, yet don't know if, someone who share such name/title with you is, (according to your doctrine) committing "abominable acts" says a lot about these organized religion's hefty self appointed name/title. Now, just to be clear, I am not anti-religion, I am just disappointed to see where/what organized religion has become. IMHO, some think crime is because of the lack of religion, I beg to differ, respectfully, I personally think it's quite the opposite, it's the lack of trust and hypocrisy. We are now experiencing the residual effect of our ignorance. Listen, Just like Pastor Eddie Long in Atlanta, or The Hon. Rt. Rev. Doc. Bishop Randy Fraser and many, many, many others, sadly, many will still follow, regardless if they have been found guilty or not, sleeping with teenage boys or girls, as far as they (sheeps) are concerned they are a "men of god" everyone (including the victims) are just character assassins. Like Rev. Doc Patty "By their fruitiness ye shall know them" IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND WAS/IS IN A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OR KNOW ONE WHO IS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY OF THESE SO CALL "RELIGIOUS LEADERS" I ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXPOSE THEM! FELLOW BAHAMIANS I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS REGARDLESS, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THEIR LIFESTYLES OR NOT. THIS HYPOCRISY HAVE TO STOP!! When you cannot trust "religious leaders" with your kids, your spouse or not even yourself when faced with a difficult situation/circumstances, WHO THE HELL CAN YOU TRUST??? Get the hell out of politics lining your pockets for your own individual greed and get back to basics!
TheMadHatter 10 years, 1 month ago
Every dollar that anyone puts into the "plate" at ANY church, robs humanity of two dollars worth of freedom, common sense, justice, and brotherhood.
Fellow Bahamians, if you love the Bahamas as the cesspool that it is - just keep putting money into the churches, and you can rest assured of no change.
Our schools need ALL of that money and more. But, go ahead - give it to the churches. I'm sure there will be another D average grade for the the school kids this year, just like the past several years. Wait for the headline - and when you see it remember that you are partly responsible for it.
TheMadHatter
hurricane 10 years, 1 month ago
The "Comrades" dude will be here in 10...9...8...
JohnDoes 10 years, 1 month ago
The 'policemans' dude, The 'bahamalanders public floggn Bran' dude. He has some good posts, but I get weary of reading them because its hard to understand what he is trying to say. I find myself dissecting his post to figure out why he couldnt have said it simpler.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 1 month ago
Hopefully the church realises that no matter how much u pray the gay never goes away..
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
How loyal is the Bahamas Christian Council Comrades being to their 1948 Founding Mission Statement that; "The Bahamas Christian Council is constituted to promote "understanding and trust" between the various parts of Christ's church in the Bahamas at "all levels;" to further "Christ's mission of service" by "joint action of Christians" in the Bahamas; to "witness" for the Christian community in the Bahamas on matters of social or common concern."
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