Without even waiting for their colleague to have a single day in court, the leadership of the Moravian Church in Jamaica is separating itself from the alleged actions of a veteran clergyman.
According to reports, at about 9 p.m., the police were on patrol in a community near Black River, St Elizabeth, when they observed a parked car that aroused their suspicion. On investigation, the pastor, who is the minister at a Moravian Church in Manchester, was reportedly found in a compromising position with a child.
He was immediately taken into police custody on suspicion of rape and carnal abuse of the girl who turned 15 years old last Friday.
“I have read the allegations, and it is a very sad day, but all I can say is to let the law take its course,” The Reverend Dr Paul Gardner, president of the Moravian Church in Jamaica, told The Gleaner yesterday.
“If charged and he is found guilty, the church has no option but dismissal from the church … there is no two ways about this.
“We take this very seriously, and if these charges are found to be true, we have no other recourse,” said Gardner, who is also president of the Unity Board of the Worldwide Moravian Church.
