The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Christian Council has announced that while the majority of its members support some of the constitutional amendment bills, many are against bills two and four.

GBCC President Rev Peter Pinder said some are apprehensive about the second bill for fear of an influx of foreign spouses getting Bahamian citizenship.

The second bill would give the spouse of a Bahamian woman the same right to apply for Bahamian citizenship that the foreign wife of a Bahamian man currently has.

“This conclusion is drawn from the very large number of illegal immigrants living in our country and from the many Bahamians travelling or living abroad for educational and other purposes many of whom are likely to marry persons of other nationalities. It is believed that persons born abroad and becoming citizens of the Bahamas as adults are likely to have loyalty to the lands of their birth,” he said.

Bill four is the most controversial as many religious leader feel it will lead to gay marriage. This bill seeks to end discrimination based on sex.

“While we all recognise that bill four has no direct reference to same sex marriage, most of our leaders believe that it has the potential in years to come to be interpreted by liberal judges, especially if it reaches the Privy Council level, to imply such a reference,” he said.

Rev Pinder said their concern has been heightened by the seeming unwillingness of the government to enshrine in the Constitution that marriage is between a man and a woman.

He said the council’s executive leadership team has taken note of the many educational forums that were held for the purpose of educating the wider population on the four bills passed by Parliament that will be presented to the citizens in the form of a referendum on June 7.

He stated that many pastors and church leaders have participated in those educational forums and a number of them have consulted with attorneys for greater understanding and clarity.

Rev Pinder said they are, however, saddened by the seeming confusion and frustration being expressed by many Bahamians.

“We recognise that women in this country have occupied some of the highest offices in our land. This is an indication that as a nation we believe in gender equality. This is a position we support.”

Rev Pinder said that while the group has expressed their views, they urge all believers in the country to prayerfully determine their personal responses to the bills guided by the Holy Spirit.