Prime Minister Perry Christie showed grave disrespect to St. Agnes Anglican Church during a recent funeral, Anglican Archdeacon Ranfurly Brown said. In yesterday's church bulletin, Brown said he was amazed by Christie's "disrespect". "At the funeral service it was found that adjustments were made to the program, without consultation with the church," wrote Brown, referring to the funeral of businessman A. Bismark Coakley. "To save embarrassment or interruption, it was announced that the speakers would speak for three minutes."

The speakers did not adhere to the request, even the honorable prime minister of this country.

"What grave disrespect to the church."

"What amazes me is that a few minutes before the service, I was at the back of the church, chiding an individual about showing respect to the leader of this country [when] lo and behold none of it was shown by him to the church. I smiled to myself how the leaders to whom I give genuine respect and support can come in my domain of the church and show such grave disrespect. Why should I therefore give support to leaders who have no respect for me? Obviously they can do without my support."

The Guardian reached out to Brown yesterday but he declined to comment further. In his letter, Brown said during his tenure, such disrespect will never happen again. He said there will be no long items to interfere with the liturgical engagement of the church during funerals. He said there will be no tribute or musical selections.

Brown said caskets will be closed 15 minutes before service begins. He added that every program must receive the approval of the church and if adjusted it would be ignored. "This disrespect given the church leadership shall stop," he said. "There is an element in this parish that continues to show disrespect by endeavoring to circumvent the rector of this parish. "All of this shall stop."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian