By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff 
Reporter

dsmith@
tribunemedia.net

THERE are more “pressing” matters that should concern the Bahamas Christian Council than the January gambling referendum – such as incest, abuse, and violence– DNA Leader Branville McCartney said yesterday.

Criticising the Council’s vote “no” to gambling campaign, he said the Council “ought to get their priorities straight.” He also criticised the decision by three church leaders to visit convicted sex offender Bishop Randy Fraser who has been incarcerated since last November.

“I find it amazing so much effort, energy, and resources are being put into (the vote “no” campaign) when in fact our country is plagued with so many social issues that would require the church to step in, but I don’t see the church stepping in,” Mr McCartney said.

“I think there are more pressing issues that they ought to be concentrating on that have been going on for years and years and years and we’ve heard nothing, or very little from the Christian Council on them. I think they ought to get their priorities straight.”

The former Bamboo Town MP said although “there’s nothing wrong” with the Council taking a stance, they “literally have a campaign going on” when there are other things that require their attention.

“If the church has a position and the church believes it’s a sin, or immoral, or what-have-you, then fine they can speak out against it. But again, we have young men who are lost and don’t know the teaching of the Bible,” he said.

“We have young women who are being led astray. We have a concern of incest in this country that really goes unnoticed and nothing is being said about it. We have abuse and violence and the church really says very little.

“I noticed that members of the Christian Council went to visit a former priest who was committed of committing a crime against a youth. What they need to do is go and visit those persons who are affected – go and visit that lady who was affected by that priest. I think they get a little mix-up and it is so unfortunate.”

It was reported in a local daily yesterday that three church leaders – Rev Dr Philip McPhee, Rev Dr Sheldon Higgs, and Bishop Gregory Minnis – had visited Bishop Randy Fraser in prison on Tuesday.

Fraser was convicted last November of having sex with a 16-year-old girl, who he had agreed to counsel, between July 2005 and February 2006.

“I’m disappointed, quite frankly,” Mr McCartney continued. “They put so much energy into this and there are so many social issues plaguing this country that they are not even saying or doing anything about. They need to get with it and stop doing fool.”

The Council and other religious leaders have been vocal about their opposition to the legalisation of web-shops since the referendum was first announced.

In addition to a commercial which is circulating on YouTube, the website www.saveourbahamas.com was launched and outlines seven reasons why the Council believes Bahamians should vote “no” on the January 28 referendum.