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‘Fahie Gov’t can be the one to stop Easter Festival’ – Bishop John I. Cline

- said whole Christian community would support the move
Bishop John I. Cline has in the past labeled the Easter Festival celebrations on the sister island of Virgin Gorda as ‘unholy’ since he feels the events are in no way reflective of anything symbolic of the most holy week in the religious world. Photo: VINO/File
Bishop John I. Cline- but believes only the unconventional Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) can do away with having Easter Festival celebrated during the most holy week in the Christian calendar. Photo: VINO/File
Bishop John I. Cline- but believes only the unconventional Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) can do away with having Easter Festival celebrated during the most holy week in the Christian calendar. Photo: VINO/File
Bishop John I. Cline firmly believes that Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and his government can be the one to discontinue having Virgin Gorda Easter Festival during holy week. Photo: VINO/File
Bishop John I. Cline firmly believes that Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and his government can be the one to discontinue having Virgin Gorda Easter Festival during holy week. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival being cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one is complaining under the circumstances; however, at least one person is ready to funeralise it once and for all- Bishop John I. Cline- but believes only the unconventional Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) can get it done.

Unholy

Bishop Cline has in the past labelled the Easter Festival celebrations on the sister island of Virgin Gorda as “unholy” since he feels the events are in no way reflective of anything symbolic of the most holy week in the religious world.

"I don't think they should have moved in that direction to have such a festival or carnival on the holy week. I think that is so anti-religious and that I just can't get with," Mr Cline said back in April 2015.

The pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom on the main island of Tortola had added that to the best of his knowledge this issue has not been raised as one of concern with the people of the Virgin Gorda community but said he had in the past brought it up at the level of the Christian Council.

"I don't think it went anywhere but I think it's clear for all to see..."

‘Can’t serve 2 masters’

Speaking on JTV’s ‘Big Story with Ms Cathy O. Richards on March 25, 2020, Mr Cline reiterated his belief that the festival should be moved.

“You can’t serve two masters, you can’t celebrate the holy day and then at the same time have all of this carnality that is contrary to what you are celebrating. They just don’t go hand in hand.”

He continued, “But I hope that even after this the government would still give consideration, whichever government that is, that would have the courage to say, this is not well placed, not as a Christian community. This is not well placed.”

Christian community will back Fahie Gov’t

According to Bishop Cline, he firmly believes that Premier Fahie, with his government, can be the one to effect the change.

“The truth is I believe if anybody could do it, the Fahie government could do it… I think if anybody will do it he will, he can …I don’t know that he will but I know that if anybody [can], I think he can, and you know what? He will have the backing of the whole Christian community.”

Responding to a comment by Ms Richards that another pastor hailed the lockdown as a sign from God to stop the festival, the man of the cloth said, “I am not happy that this is what it had to come to because it not only shuts down festival but it also shuts down many churches at Easter which is one of the most celebrated seasons on the Christian calendar.

“However, sometimes God has a way of getting our attention and I am not saying that this is it, I am just saying that if I am to agree with the other pastor, there are some times that God would reel us in and say, you know what, you all need to consider your ways,” the Bishop noted.

The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival was set for April 11 – 13, 2020, a period in which the VI will now be on a 24-hour lockdown.

What is Easter?

Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion.

It is a very significant date within Christianity and is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Christians believe that Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection.

36 Responses to “‘Fahie Gov’t can be the one to stop Easter Festival’ – Bishop John I. Cline”

  • Go sidunhg Cline (09/04/2020, 12:04) Like (12) Dislike (26) Reply
    And when cline thinknthis will happen. Stay your ballhead in Tortola. You cannot and will not dictate for Virgin Gordians. So why you get the green houses to grow
  • try sit down (09/04/2020, 12:18) Like (15) Dislike (20) Reply
    all the people of this territory have equality. Who wants to read bibles do so, who want to digest spirts do so: how long now VG festival going on and where was the bishop over these many fears. His ideology is personal belief.....his conversation is good though with good value
  • OMG (09/04/2020, 12:34) Like (14) Dislike (14) Reply

    PASTOR GRI.....go sit yo backside down from up n down tryn to be up in everybody sauce and being a spotlight Wh8r3...good grief...u ain suppose to be doin the lords work, or prayin for ppl or something.....gahleeeee ur annoying.

    • Won’t work!!! (09/04/2020, 18:23) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      I would tell you this much what you are saying to Bishop Cline you are saying to the entire Christian community. It is time that the Christian community get off their knees and raise its voice loud and clear when things are going wrong in the BVI. THE Christian community is too reactive always following far behind cleaning up mess with repentance services, fasting and praying for the grace and mercies of God when the judgement of God is coming down on this place. How about start calling sin sin and and start being proactive to stamp out sin at a national level. Easter festival, what disrespect for a “Christian” community. God forbid.
      • Reader (10/04/2020, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Won't Work...I agree with you on the need to be proactive on stamping out "sinful practices" on a national level (including changing the Easter Festival from during holy week [I.e. for those who observe it] ); the other area that needs to be clamped down on (especially since we claim to be a Christian society), is the opening of so called "clubs" (where prostitution and immoral lifestyle is indulged). I think that licenses for these type of businesses should be ceased. There are many other creative areas of business that people can consider going into...without saturating the society with the immoral works of the enemy, who comes to steal, to kill and destroy (lives...). This pandemic should cause the owners of these businesses (especially), to not just cry out to the Lord for mercy, but to seek to do what pleases the Lord, to know Him personally and thereby be ready to face future crises when they come, for "this is the beginning of sorrows". The fool hath said in his heart "there is no god", but now they are bowing to him...so now is the time to wise up and not just believe that there is a God, but to seek Him while he may be found...before we end up like those who are dying daily from the virus, unprepared.
    • @OMG (11/04/2020, 14:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      I completely agree. He does need to sit his backside down and focus on getting his house in order. Up and down like he's a leader when he can't walk his own talk.
  • A HAPPY BELONGER (09/04/2020, 12:34) Like (14) Dislike (18) Reply
    lM A ISLAND MAN LIVING IN BVI FOR MANY YEARS AND I KNOW I NO MORE ABOUT THE BVI MORE THAN CLINE.FROM.THE BONN,THE SETTLEMENT MAYABA, JOHNSON GHUT, ALL OVER TORTOLA VIRGIN GORDA, ANEGADA JOST VAN DYKE..I ALSO KNOW WHEN VIRGIN GORDA FESTIVAL STARTED NOW HE COME AND WHAT EVERYTHING STOP. CLINE YOU.DONT RUN THINGS HERE


    I
  • V. G (09/04/2020, 12:35) Like (22) Dislike (16) Reply
    This “ pastor/bishop” Cline has been in the Spot light of Soo many controversial topics since he came back to the BVI
    As a bizz man he is cunning
    In the other realm I see “Jim Jones “ and hear “ Jim baker “
    Please leave the V G people with their few days when family come to visit .
    The Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday : The Anglican a d Methodist churches brought Christianity to the V I ; ALL of the others are BUSINESSES ( tax free) feeding off the “ less fortunate and vulnerable . Does New Life march on Palm Sunday’s?? We ALL going to Hell in a hand basket led by the Edge u cated
  • Ghost (09/04/2020, 13:07) Like (15) Dislike (17) Reply
    Bishop Cline, I am with you
  • Gandalf (09/04/2020, 13:12) Like (24) Dislike (11) Reply
    For the love of God - GO AWAY CLINE!!!!!!! You just cannot help yourself, in everyone's business and craving the spot light. Please, please, please, leave us alone. The curfew is miserable enough without your bull$hit comments adding to the misery!
    • christian (09/04/2020, 18:34) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
      I hope Bishop Cline and Pas Skelton-Cline would never allow any of you bloggers to shut their mouth. I say to them shout the even louder, and louder. I wish the entire Christian community would get up from its slumber and speak out when things are going wrong in this place. I wish more Pastor would get off there pulpits and come outside the four walls to exam the climate of sin and witchcraft in this place and start speaking out louder and louder
      • Gandalf (10/04/2020, 08:40) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

        Brother/Sister you are delusional and you seem to be following and believing in false Shepherds! I am all for Christians following Christian leaders, true Shepherds that sincerely and wisely preach the true words of God, but NOOOOOOOO, ....Their history alone should have you terrified!

  • Enough ! (09/04/2020, 13:19) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Enough. Be away with you

    https://youtu.be/mrjStSqu_w4
  • Bishop.. (09/04/2020, 13:30) Like (18) Dislike (13) Reply
    A man who calls himself bishop but was never really named one officially should never be trusted.
  • man of action (09/04/2020, 13:55) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    GO SIDDUNG!!!
  • First thing first (09/04/2020, 13:59) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    Done with this curfew and lock down so we can go to work..
  • musa (09/04/2020, 14:02) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    This guy need help ,he need some green house produce ,look who call them self holi
  • Run for Office (09/04/2020, 14:31) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    If Cline wants to run the country, he should stand for the legislature. Easy to stand on the outside and throw stones at the government from his bully pulpit.
  • weed farm (09/04/2020, 14:38) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    can bishop take some of his free time and update the same territory about the marijuana cultivation: life is funny because the very same thing the church was speaking against and condemn some of us for using back in the days and was also seen as “unholy” is now righteous. He is up in arms over VG festivities but ok to cultivate:
  • cline (09/04/2020, 14:47) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
    Cline festival is not unholy. You don't have to follow festival. What I f someone to say you unholy. Cline you need stopped dictate for other people. Y'all preaching the world of God but doing worst than the sinners. Let everyone live there life, the entire country can't be Christian's. Y'all hypocrites..,
  • uh (09/04/2020, 14:54) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply
    D Bishop is right
  • Head ley’s wicked Flock! (09/04/2020, 15:16) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply

    It’s funny how he is so passionate about this, why aren’t you as passionate about Keeping the Lord’s day, the Sabbath day Holy? Oh and if you claim to not know the Sabbath day, then there should be no issues with the continuation of this celebration! As we don’t know the correct calendar days... right!!! Clean up your backyard first! Show that in thoughts and deeds that you are living by example in God’s word! You and some of your followers are very wic..... people!!!! Get mad now!!!

  • blaze (09/04/2020, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Jews celebrate their sabbath from Friday sundown to Saturday sunset, now it is said that they hurry and took him down from the cross cause their sabbath was approaching which is Friday.
    And the said he rose Sunday.
    Well someone need to explain how 3 days occur from Friday sunset to Sunday morning. What are they actually following
  • Jack Daniels (09/04/2020, 15:51) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    Cline you are welcome to come to VG Festival only if you going to bruk off yah waist, eat some good food, have a few COLD coronas / adult beverages and enjoy and behave yourself. Other than that VG don't wanna see or hear you. Same thing goes for you to pastor Greg George stop following cline with his BS. Nobody holding a gun to either of your heads to make y'all come jump up wid we, just keep off VG festival ah beg. As a matter of fact why y'all churches don't sponsor or better yet bring a float or troop and be a part the next parade in 2021? God loves a cheerful giver and will bless your church more...…. think about it?
    love and unity all ah we is one in 2021.
  • here is goes again (09/04/2020, 16:05) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    Cant close his little mouth. Its always running. Dont know when to keep it close. He loves attention. People need to ignore him. He does not matter. Only in his own little delusional head does he thinks what he says is important.

    He should break his curfew and do us all a favor if he gets locked away for a few months.
  • Old news. No news (09/04/2020, 16:14) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
    We have new and relevant news... Talk about the excessive curfew and lock down.. People have family to feed and want to work... Not even construction we can do... Nonsense.... Talk about that
    ..
  • jah know (09/04/2020, 20:02) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why this man name keep popping up on the news media on topics that shouldn't concern him. I don't see other pastors name up in the news media about any other thing that's not relevant or linked to church
  • legal team (09/04/2020, 22:36) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The BVI Constitution defines Freedom of Conscience as a Fundamental Right and Freedom to include:-

    Freedom of thought and religion,

    Freedom to change one's religion or belief, and

    Freedom, either alone or in community with others and either in public or in private, to manifest and propagate one's religion or belief in worship, teaching ,practice and observation.

    I will utilize my freedom of conscience guaranteed in the BVI Constitution, in this blogg,to say that I was guided by the Holy Spirit, to agree with Bishop Cline 100%.

    All Christians, who believe in God, and who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God,would take time out to reflect on our savior jesus Christ,who died on the cross of calvary,to save us from our wicked sins.

    But we are chosing that time,to have Karnaval and Bakanal.

    Easter Festival should be banned indefinitely.

    Change the date and change the time of year.

    covid-19,is telling us,to stay home under lockdown, and reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    One love, BVI.

  • For GOD Sake (10/04/2020, 00:52) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    1. You need to chill with that. Have you ever experienced a VG carnival. So you wont jnow the activities they do.

    2. I dont judge, but who is more unholy than you with all your going out and coming in. Go sit down !!!!!!!

  • Calm down folks (10/04/2020, 10:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It ain’t goin wuk becah a house divided amongst it self can’t stand
    The Christians is who create Easter but they Not goin tell u tha ... do ayuh research it is one and the same
    He ain real so it don’t matter check it fo yuhself don’t mind me
  • Help (11/04/2020, 07:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cline has been portraying SERIOUS mental health issues over the past few years, and it appears to be getting more pronounced. The people closest to him should encourage him to seek help and stop placating him because he helps them with their mortgages and other expenses. I can’t comprehend how his congregation and other “close” friends see the downward canter he is taking and instead of trying to help him, whisper about it amongst themselves. Somebody, PLEASE HELP this man!
  • the real issue (11/04/2020, 14:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The issue here is we have turned our historical festivals into the type of festivals of Carnivals that happen pre-Lent. Our festivals started off as celebrations of monumental cultural/community events (emancipation of slavery) or in the case of Easter, a religious celebration. Sometime back in the 80's I would imagine, we as a country decided to emulate other islands and have festivals that do not fully represent our history or cultural heritage. Last year, it was really good to see a ramp up of cultural events at the August Festival.
  • Paranoia 1 (12/04/2020, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    IN THE JEWISH DIASPORA THERE are MANY FESTIVALS...THE ROMANS WHO WERE ALLOWED TO CONQUER THE JEWS
    ALSO HAD MANY FESTIVALS UNDER PAGAN GODS..Any Nationals that are not jews are called Gentile Nations we who calling ourselves Christians it is being said of us we are only grafted in by way of the messiah... WHY IS MONDAY CALLED EASTER MONDAY AND WHY SHOULD IT NOT BE CELEBRATED WITH A NATIONAL HOLIDAY BY THE SAME CHRISTIANS WHO WANTS THE CELEBRATIONS TO BE ABOLISHED ...NEXT WILL BE TO ABOLISH AUGUST FESTIVAL WHICH IS ALSO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ....TO PUT IT BLUNTLY THOSE WHO GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR A "CAUSE"..
  • Paranoia1 (12/04/2020, 20:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Christians should now go and review the Lord's Prayer and understand what Jesus was praying for...
    also it is not Them who has to become like us it is (WE) THE MORTAL MAN WHO HAS TO BECOME LIKE THEM TO GET INTO THE KINGDOM...THE PREREQUISITE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF BODY TO THIS ONE...CONSIDER ALSO
    THERE ARE PEOPLE CLAIMING I DO NOT BELIEVE IN RELIGIONS...HOW DOES A PERSON'S BELIEF CHANGE CHANGE FACTS OR PROTOCOLS.... Why has everyone been sent home and wondering what to expect next....As the post Pandemic Diaspora....


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