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'Gov't never limited the church' to 1hr meetings - Hon Fahie

- refutes claims made by local pastors about time limited gatherings
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has shut down claims made by some locals pasters that the VIP administration, at some time, limited church gatherings to one hour. Photo: HoA/File
The Premier said that as part of the sermons, some pastors even preached a condemnation message over his life with the aims of ribbing him of salvation. Photo: Internet Source
The Premier said that as part of the sermons, some pastors even preached a condemnation message over his life with the aims of ribbing him of salvation. Photo: Internet Source
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has shut down claims made by some local pasters that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration, at some time, limited church gatherings to one hour.

"Misinformation is so crucial... I was told that this Sunday a few pastors preach on me saying that we had the churches meeting for an hour," Hon Fahie told the House of Assembly during the debates of the Medical (Amendment) Act, 2019 on July 2, 2020. 

"That was never true, and I had to hear sermons were preached on me... that was not true, nobody in this government limited the churches from meeting," he said.

The Premier said that as part of the sermons, some pastors even preached a condemnation message over his life.

Prayers protected VI from COVID-19 - Premier Fahie 

"Could you even imagine that? We would never stop the churches from doing what they have to do because it is through them praying is why we don't have more people sick with the COVID-19," the Premier noted.

Hon Fahie admitted that he is not much in the street as he would like, due to the complexities of the job; however, he noted that his eyes are on several things at once. 

He said while the local pastors will be forgiven, "I'm not going to allow persons to take my meekness for weakness, and while the Lord said touch not his anointed, I'm not going to let people use their pulpit to put me in hell!"

Guidelines for religious organisations 

Meanwhile, on July 1, 2020, Premier Fahie said Cabinet endorsed the COVID-19 guidance for Churches and other Faith-based organisations, subject to review on a weekly basis.

“There seemed to have been misconceptions following a stakeholder consultation meeting as the Ministry of Health and religious leaders were working together to develop the guidelines for Cabinet’s consideration. There seemed to have been some discussions in those stakeholder meetings regarding the length of time that religious institutions would meet for services,” he pointed out.

He said he wished to place on record that for the first time the Cabinet was able to see and review the guidance document that will support the safe conduct of religious proceedings and services in this ‘New Regular’ of living with COVID-19.

“I wish to assure the public that the Government of the Virgin Islands will never try to put constraints on the work of the Lord, but will ensure that all is being done by all establishments in the Territory to keep people safe and healthy. The Ministry of Health will make the guidelines available to the churches and other faith-based organisations in short order,” he stated.

As it is mass gatherings for faith-based organisations, graduations, weddings and funerals require one person per 64 square feet, up to a maximum of 100 people.

No mention of a time limit was made.

15 Responses to “'Gov't never limited the church' to 1hr meetings - Hon Fahie”

  • Really? (06/07/2020, 07:52) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Environmental health issued guidelines and shared them with the churches during a meeting they held and one of the stipulations was service could be no longer than one hour. So are they going contrary to what Cabinet has decided? Enquiring minds want to know. Perhaps they should give the Premier a copy of those guidelines which include other nonsense like air conditioning cannot be used while every person working in an office sitting in a/c for 8 hours every day.
  • yess (06/07/2020, 08:06) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Church should have no limits on people when the clubs be packed Friday and Saturday nights. I mean packed like a pack of macaroni!!
  • Oh Boy.. (06/07/2020, 08:31) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    That comes with been a leader and have to.make tough decisions, Ignore it... Lots of decisions you made are not popular most are, some are not right in my view... I personally think u should have open the Porta toregional travel.....Now we have Win Air announcing that they are in the Skies. I.think u should reconsider and open up by July 15th to regional Travel..We now have VI Air link and Win Air who can service the region.....
  • west (06/07/2020, 08:51) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Just pray that the churches not part of the oppression in the bvi
  • Local (06/07/2020, 08:57) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    I love this picture it says me do what say what not me Andrew Fahie ever limit any church to an hour these people coming with all kind of foolishness try to and ask the Lord for guidance. What next they going to say that I say you can't bury your love ones. Old people say the longer you live the more you hear.
  • Lolllllll (06/07/2020, 09:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only you can put yourself in hell by your deeds. Did not the Bible say every man is going to give an account of himself to God for his own actions and no one else's? Romans 14: 12.

    You said that they will be forgiven which is your reaction for what they are saying in the pulpit so how is that going to get you in hell if you forgive them.
  • Wow! (06/07/2020, 09:53) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Guidelines were issued stating services could only be one hour and no air conditioning! It appears the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing!
    • what (06/07/2020, 12:25) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Why weren't these guidelines published publicly. First time hearing about that.
      • website (06/07/2020, 20:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Go to the ministry of health website. The documents are there. Lionel Michael sent out a document saying that churches were to follow what was sent. Andrew needs to speak to Lionel.
  • dead on arrival (06/07/2020, 11:32) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    All of who is promoting Christianity is helping to oppress black people further. Its a real shame to reality.
  • g (06/07/2020, 16:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr minister for d pass months since this pandit u have been on top of things talk is cheap don't let nothing distract you u doing good so far people is to ungrateful
  • ac (06/07/2020, 17:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why The AC must be off and it is not off in work places?
    We need to get this straight so everyone understands.
  • New guidelines (06/07/2020, 20:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even the new guidelines received today from Lionel Michael that have been supposedly approved by cabinet have restrictions that are not on bars, restaurants, and strip clubs, and spas. The devil is a liar. Let Andrew now say he does not know about what was passed.
  • Concerned for BVI (06/07/2020, 21:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    May the Lord help us in the BVI. It appears that in this pandemic the BVI must feel what this virus can do, because some including pastors cannot hear. Since when bars and clubs set the standard of values and behaviours to be patterned by society, including the churches? The longer one is exposed to infected indoor air, the more likely one is to become infected.
  • My girl (07/07/2020, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I though the BVI was said to be Covid Free subject to the testing of those currently in quarantine.


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