A prominent pastor said yesterday while he believes in "second chances" it may be too soon for convicted sex offender Bishop Earl Randolph Fraser to lead another church.
Fraser, who served three years in prison after he was convicted of having sex with a dependent, launched a new church, Palms of Victory Kingdom Ministry, on Sunday.
Dr. Victor Cooper, of New Bethany Baptist Cathedral, who was contacted for comment, said before Fraser resumed a leadership position in ministry he should have gone through a "period of counseling and a period of personal introspection".
Cooper said that would ensure Fraser is aware of the magnitude of his position.
"We would want to ensure that they are whole and ready to take on the mammoth task of pastoring, leading and helping people, who are hurting," said Cooper, referring generally to disgraced religious leaders.
"It is a personal matter, but it is a matter that ought to have been given serious consideration.
"We always want to give people second chances, but we want to ensure that they are whole and ready to take on such a mantle."
During the launch of his new church, Fraser apologized to the country for his "pastoral misjudgment".
He told a crowd at Workers House that he will press forward with his life.
Rev. Dr. Philip McPhee, of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, who attended Sunday's event, said in a separate interview that Fraser would have done well to take more time before resuming pastoral duties.
"I still feel that even though he has been called to pastorage he could take some time for his own self-examination before taking on full time pastorage," McPhee told The Nassau Guardian last night.
"We pray that the shortness of the period does not hurt his coming back, and makes him a better pastor, a better husband and a better father."
Fraser was released from prison just under five months ago.
"From a personal position we hope that one would take enough time to mend and grow and I agree he should take some time to ask God for new strength and new direction," McPhee said.
Asked how long Fraser should have waited before resuming pastoral responsibilities, Cooper said at least a year with counseling.
"Certainly we always want to provide people with an opportunity to serve once we feel they have paid their debt to society and they are given that opportunity under the guidance of someone," he said.
"Having gone through that counseling of whatever domination the person is associated with [he] should be vetted to ensure [he is] ready to resume an office like that."
However, McPhee said that no one knows or has control over when "God lights a fire back into your life".
"I am hoping and praying it is a God call back and not a personal call back into ministry," he said of Fraser's decision to lead a new church.
"If God calls you, then he will prepare you and there is no set time for when one can come back to ministry."
Fraser was convicted in November 2011 for having sex with a dependent.
He was fired as senior pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church during a meeting of the Board of Trustees late last year.
Cooper said he has not spoken to Fraser, who was his classmate at The College of The Bahamas, but in time he plans to reach out to him.
McPhee said he spoke with Fraser yesterday morning and asked that they become closer friends and colleagues.
He said he also encouraged Fraser to surround himself with other pastors who he feels comfortable with so that "if he needs help he does not have to hesitate and come to us".

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