As reported on the front page of this edition of The Anguillian, six church leaders in Anguilla issued a joint statement denying a charge by Chief Minister Hubert Hughes that their organisations were planning to pray against his Anguilla United Movement Government. The Ministers represented the Anguilla Christian Council and the Anguilla Evangelical Association.
Mr Hughes made the accusation in the House of Assembly on Thursday, February 19, after it was adjourned by the Speaker due to the lack of a quorum, when the Opposition Members failed to turn up at the meeting for a second time. Remaining in the Parliamentary Building, he delivered a broadcast on Radio Anguilla about his long political career during which he made the above charge. He said Pastor Cecil Richardson, of the Central Baptist Church, at Rey Hill, had objected to the proposed plan of the other pastors, saying that the churches should pray for, and not against, the Government.
Following are the individual statements made by the religious leaders at a press conference on Monday, February 23, to clear the air. Their statements followed a joint statement read by Bishop Errol Brooks.
Pastor Lucian McDonna of the Life Impact Centre
“Speaking on behalf of the Evangelical Association, we have no knowledge of such a planned service. We are very much appalled as well by these statements that were made. It has never been, and never will be, our intention to do such or to carry out such a practice. Our hearts’ desire has always been to pray for, and support, each government that leads this country. So, therefore, I am very much, we all are very much, taken aback by this statement.”
Pastor Cecil Richardson of the Central Baptist Church:
“It is unfortunate that I have been involved in this discussion but, to be very frank and honest, I am not aware of any meeting that has ever been called by the Christian Council or the Evangelical Association that was discussing such a plan to have a service to pray against the government.
“It is our duty, as believers, and all of us agree, that our responsibility is to uphold the law, and to pray for our leaders. At no time have we ever sat down – or at no meeting that I ever attended – was there ever a time when there was any plot, or any discussion, about having a service to this effect of – praying against government. So I don’t know where… this story came from, but we just want the truth to be known that there was never such a meeting, and I never participated in such a meeting. I never had any discussion with the Chief Minister about such a thing. So I don’t know where this story would have come from. As Bishop Brooks said, if there is somewhere where the facts could be given as to who said where, and when, and under what circumstances, that would be different. But, as far as I know, I have never been involved in any discussion like that – the Christian Council has never been, neither has the Evangelical Association. So, as far as I know, it is a rumour or a fabricated story that I cannot give any substance to.”
Pastor Phillip Gumbs of the Church of God (Holiness), Queen Elizabeth Avenue:
“I think it is critical for us to also bear in mind that silence gives assent and, in this context, silence gives credence to what has been said; and so, in this intense political climate, some may wish that the church should say nothing because individuals can change our release and really get some mileage from it. But this is not about mileage – this is about truth. And the church has a 24-hour role to play in the lives of people who come to us and trust us, and our credibility is priceless. There is no price tag on our credibility as a people of God. And so, therefore, we are compelled – in the Name of Christ, for the sake of the souls of the persons who God has entrusted to our care – to speak the truth. And, therefore, we are compelled – and this is why we are speaking as we are. Also, it would have been protocol, and a fine example of leadership, for the leader of a country, were he aware of such things, to have approached the church leaders and ask them directly – and even call them in his office or inquire, or even give a reprimand and then, in the process [he] would have found out that such a view, or a story, is totally false. So we would want that there be a model of statesmanship, and the church would say that we want to always model that – and we would hope that all of us, as Anguillians, learn from this unfortunate incident or event and always follow the proper protocol which Jesus Himself has taught us: if there is a fault that one has against another, go to that person, one and one, and if that person fails, take another person as a witness. But, unfortunately, our leadership has jumped over so many forms and steps in the process. So, hopefully, this is another process and in this moment we are seeking to affirm our credibility as a people of God, and appreciate the understanding of the people of God.”
Rev Dr Wycherley Gumbs, Superintendent of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, and Chairman of the Christian Council.
“I can say briefly, on behalf of the Christian Council, that we know nothing of such a decision, or communication, related to what was purported by the Honourable Mr Hughes. So I join with my colleagues here in making sure that we have not been a part of, or will be, a part of such an arrangement. [It is] for us to work together with the community leaders – be it politicians or otherwise – so that the goodwill and wellbeing of the community is upheld. So I join with my colleagues here, and those by radio, to say for us, integrity is of the highest order. As the Methodist community, and the Catholic and others – Baptist, Church of God – all of us – we hold integrity as a highest ideal. So we will not be a part of any such discussion.”
The Right Rev L Errol Brooks:
“Far from praying against Government – on a weekly basis, the churches do pray for the leaders of the country, whoever they are, that God would give them wisdom and courage to deal with the decision-making that they have to make on our behalf. So I really don’t know where this idea came from that leaders of the church would be praying against the government.”
The expatriate Priest of St Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church, Fr. Paul Czoch, joined the other church leaders at the press conference table, but did not speak. So did Pastor Gareth Hodge, of Destiny Church, who sat behind the reporters.
