BRAVO to the Bahamas Christian Council president.

Bishop Delton Fernander got up and spoke during the ecumenical service at this year’s Independence celebrations – and wasted no time in calling out those who are conveniently quiet when it suits them.

It was just a shame he did not have the whole of Clifford Park to hear his words, with the service relocated to Bahamas Harvest Church in the face of inclement weather than made this year’s celebrations somewhat less vibrant than previous years.

It did not however diminish the importance of his words.

He freely declared that there have been hypocrites in the church. He said: “Some people who shout when the FNM in, some people who can only shout when the PLP in. Can I get a church that will just shout for God no matter?”

He talked of the political hypocrisy in some churches – naming no names, but if Bishop Fernander can see it and recognise it, we are sure plenty of readers can.

The bishop also criticised those who have a difference between the life they show and the life they live, the ones who wear robes at church and drive a fancy car while not living up to the values of Christ.

“We don’t live the life that we preach about,” he said. “We don’t live the life that we declare from the pulpit.”

He went on to say: “God is still looking for a few of us that will stand up.”

We applaud Bishop Fernander, and wholeheartedly endorse his call for others to stand up.

He is right when he says it is not easy to do so, as he notes that when you do, “people put you under their tongues”.

The Tribune knows that only too well – with regular accusations of political bias from across the political spectrum.

There are plenty of things to speak up about too.

You do not need to look far to see poverty in this country. There are plenty – those at The Tribune included – who can speak to the damage caused by political victimisation. There is the vast divide between our country’s rich and the majority of our people. Millionaires come knocking on doors asking for your vote without there ever being any likelihood of you breaking into their level of wealth.

There is injustice in our country. There is the lack of equality for women. There is the struggle for those trapped within a court system that keeps them in limbo for years without being able to clear their name. There is the violence that plagues our nation – the murders, the rapes, the gender violence.

All these are things to speak out over. So if your pastor does not and simply drives their expensive car… perhaps you know who Bishop Fernander is talking about.

Perhaps you know who needs to do better. Perhaps you know who is more concerned about lining their pocket than lifting up our society.

But it’s not just the pastors. We all have a part to play. We can all do better.

Thank you, Bishop Fernander. You said what needed to be said. Now let us hope your words do not fall on deaf ears.