A week after Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins questioned the leadership of Prime Minister Perry Christie in the House of Assembly, retired Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez said yesterday the outspoken MP's statements about Christie's use of scripture in Parliament were "inappropriate" and "ill-conceived" .
When asked whether Rollins' comments could be perceived as an affront on Christianity, Gomez said, "Yes. It is."
Rollins made headlines when he declared that it is evident "we need new political leadership" in the country during the value-added tax (VAT) debate.
He expressed anger over the fact that Christie spent a majority of his communication to "threaten" backbenchers for their dissenting views, instead of providing "hope and comfort" to Bahamians who are concerned about the impact of VAT.
Rollins then said he is tired of hearing the prime minister quote scripture in Parliament, which should be left to members of the clergy.
"I know that a lot of people will be angry at me for saying this, but I will say it," he said.
"The prime minister's statement earlier today, and he consistently refers to Psalm 103 where he says 'Our lives are like grass', etc.
"We have heard it a million times now, and quite frankly I am tired of hearing it.
"The reason I am tired of hearing it is [because] when I want to hear scripture read repeatedly, I go to church."
Gomez said he listened to Rollins' contribution in the House and, despite the strong nature of his comments about Christie, he was especially taken aback by his criticisms of the prime minister's use of scripture.
"It really caused me to sit up, because it was so really, totally inappropriate, and I was surprised that no one had picked up on it," he said.
"I thought his comments were ill-conceived and obviously it was not a prepared speech, and he was speaking off the cuff.
"The point that he was making is not a valid point, because scripture is applicable not only in the House of Assembly, but in any situation.
"His criticism would have been legitimate if he said that the use of scripture was inappropriate in that what was being said [by Christie] was not applicable to the particular context.
"Even that is really a question of how you interpret scripture.
"But the interpretation of scripture is always available and always appropriate in any life situation."
Gomez also said Rollins' comments contradict the fact that each House sitting begins with a prayer by House Chaplin Pastor Hugh Roach.
Asked whether he feels it is important for leaders, especially those in public life, to embrace the Christian principles this nation was built on by referencing them publically, Gomez repeated, "The use of scripture is always appropriate".
"We are supposed to be built on Christian principles, and those principles are enshrined in the Bible, so if you are working with those principles, the use of the Bible is always appropriate, not just by the prime minister, but any member of Parliament," he said.
"I don't think that I would attach too much emphasis on the comments that Dr. Rollins made because I don't think it was a well-thought-out position.
"That is why people have to be very careful about how they speak, especially when they speak in Parliament."
Rollins was fired as Gaming Board chairman on Friday after he refused to resign over his scathing attack on the prime minister.
He resigned as party whip the week before after expressing concerns about the constitutional referendum bills the government hopes to advance to referendum.
Several Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MPs have suggested Rollins should resign from the party.
Despite his recent objections to toe the party line, the Fort Charlotte MP has indicated he is still a PLP.

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