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‘We will not just sit by & let Gov’t be the boss’- BVI Christian Council

- writes letter to Premier Smith requesting meeting with Members of Gov’t
President of the BVI Christian Council Bishop John I. Cline has said the now resuscitated body has requested a meeting with the Government of the Virgin Islands to address their concerns. Photo: VINO/File
Mr John I. Cline, right, appeared as a guest on Honestly Speaking with Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, left, on ZBVI 780 AM on February 20, 2018. Photo: Facebook
Mr John I. Cline, right, appeared as a guest on Honestly Speaking with Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, left, on ZBVI 780 AM on February 20, 2018. Photo: Facebook
The BVI Christian Council has written a letter to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) to express their willingness to work with him and to discuss some of their concerns with the spiritual and religious arms of the country. Photo: VINO/File
The BVI Christian Council has written a letter to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) to express their willingness to work with him and to discuss some of their concerns with the spiritual and religious arms of the country. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “We have seen over the years that there is a lack of accountability to our voters, to our members. We have seen the marginalisation of our representatives. So those who we elect and send to represent us, we find that their voices have been shut down and quieted to a point where not much of what the people have to say get further than the ears of the representatives, because they are shut down at a Governmental level.”

This is one of the many concerns of the BVI Christian Council of the Virgin Islands, according to its President, Bishop John I. Cline, who said the now resuscitated body has requested a meeting with the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Mr Cline, who appeared as a guest on Honestly Speaking with Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline on ZBVI 780 AM on February 20, 2018, said the Council will be meeting with the Recovery Team on Thursday, February 22, 2018, to lend their voice to the discussion on the recovery.

According to the outspoken clergyman, the Council would like to see accountability by Government in the recovery phase.

God unto themselves

He added that better is needed from Government as it seems they have forgotten who they are working for.

“It seems that when we have a majority government, as we do now, they become a God unto themselves. They become rulers unto themselves and they have quickly forgotten who they work for, who hired them.”

Mr Cline, the former Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority Board, said politicians must understand that they are not the boss, “that we are the ones who decided they should be in power with our votes and we are the ones who will decide whether they go back or not, but they quickly forget that and use this mandate, this great margin of Opposition versus Government, to ignore the very people who sent them there and even treat them just minimally.

“We will not sit by and accept that,” Bishop Cline said.

It was stated that the BVI Christian Council was resuscitated sometime in December and Bishop Cline was asked to lead for a year.

And while the members are eager to meet with the Recovery Team, the Council has also requested a meeting with Government.

It said the Council has written a letter to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) to express its willingness to work with him and to discuss some of its concerns with the spiritual and religious aspects of the country.

“We look forward to a response, we have not gotten a response as yet from the Government in terms of meeting with them.”

He said in that forum the Council hopes to express some of the sentiments of the people they lead, adding that their approach is not to be antagonistic but to be truthful.

Not meek & mild

“Not because you call us Christian or religious mean we are quiet and meek and mild. We have a voice and our voice will be counted.”

About BVI Christian Council

The BVI Christian Council, according to Bishop Cline, is a body of Christian churches in the VI, which he terms as a watchdog of the community and the conscience of the nation.

The body is made up of the Methodist, Catholic and Anglican churches, the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre, the Church of God of Prophecy, New Life Baptist Church and the Moravian church in the VI.

“We have pulled together these group of pastors who have endeavoured to make an impact and make a change in the social, political and spiritual landscape of the VI.

“The Churches on board are engaged and they are not afraid to speak truth to power,” Bishop Cline stated.

18 Responses to “‘We will not just sit by & let Gov’t be the boss’- BVI Christian Council”

  • MLK (21/02/2018, 17:40) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's about time the church wake up
  • get them out (21/02/2018, 17:45) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    No more stealing. Get NDP out
  • VOICES (21/02/2018, 18:00) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    The Government has forgotten who they are working for and clearly you guys have forgotten your roles in this community. After 6 months trying to have a voice. Where were you when we needed you most. The storm has passed we will figure out way forward
    • MY VOICE (21/02/2018, 20:18) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply

      Ungrateful backside Like nothing pleases you people. What the hell did you do? What was your voice saying and doing? Just hush your tail. People like you make me so sick. You dont do anything but criticize those who try, even if they aren't successful. Look, dont get me started. We all know that the NDP government ain made from sh8t. They just talk it. So you still going to sit down and wait for them to do what, talk more sh8t? Please. Maybe you should use some of that energy you using to bray like a jack*$$, you can use it to help someone in need in some way knowing (as you said) that the government has forgotten, who has them there and what they supposed to be doing while they there...

  • wize up (21/02/2018, 18:24) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    the horse them done leave the stables(you now wake up)......one thing about my country we all get so excited after things gets mash up: back in day those yellow guardrails were set in place only after some vehicle went over the hillside(but I know God is in control so I don’t look to mortal men for coverage) the gunman dem got the country upside down(where were some of us before; now we want God to come for his world but I have the sneaky feeling it have worst to get(it’s really sad)
  • buywata (21/02/2018, 19:51) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why don't he organize a march???
  • a case of hush (21/02/2018, 19:55) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am willing to bet that them will go quiet after that sweet street light contract...Any bets?
  • stick to discipleship (21/02/2018, 21:33) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
    And everything else will fall into place. If you really believe in God you would focus on changing the community through service not by bullying the politicians you have a beef with. Stay out of Caesar's territory and you will be all the better for it. You are stirring the pot for selfish reasons..get off the government nibbles and let others have a chance.

    You can help by working to help the police solve the crime problems...that is what the black and catholic churches do in the inner cities across the U.S....they do so by THE CHURCH INVESTING MONEY in community programs and not waiting on the government. That is what you all ate suppose to do with the tires that ate brought into the store house.
  • lmaooo (22/02/2018, 01:24) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    So the church meb got kicked out the NDP circle now all of a sudden they are concerned? This NDP is the same NDP they supported and were a big part of. They didnt walk away from NDP they were kicked out now they kicking up. Its so obvious.
    • wize up (22/02/2018, 07:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Imaooo: what a country when those 2 were pocketing large sums of money not one word; now them vex a set of hypothetics...could you imagine them running this territory:
  • chad (22/02/2018, 11:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Claude shoved his nose up at anyone that questioned his actions when he was Port Director but now he knows about respect and listening to people? Wow!
    • Wow2 (24/02/2018, 20:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      He told some that they would be committing professional suicide if they dared to stand up for themselves. Disrespecting those not on his bandwagon to the highest degree.
  • Back Benchers (22/02/2018, 13:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What we need for a starter is a back benchers take over.. Then we can start talking about inclusions, and strategies
  • My girl (22/02/2018, 14:04) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ndp all if them must go bottom line
  • Mando (22/02/2018, 15:27) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    "The BVI Christian Council, according to Bishop Cline, is a body of Christian churches in the VI, which he terms as a watchdog of the community and the conscience of the nation."

    Where was this group when government employees were being victimized??
  • NB (23/02/2018, 15:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Christian council......what is that. Christisn amd cline cant go together
  • Peter (23/02/2018, 15:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government is our boss, but you put them in and never complain until now when things are out of control. Why aren’t we in the streets marching when something is not in our favor? Continual protests brings attention to the problems.
  • Morant (27/02/2018, 08:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bermuda has the same problem, it may be the fact that most of the very valuable suggestions for the country are coming from the most "rual neighbourhoods". It's certain officials that classify those neighbourhoods as non factors when they have the biggest voice... Who feels it knows it.


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