Council condemns church attack

The Barbados Christian Council (BXC) is expressing shock and surprise at Sunday’s incident in which a man entered the Sion Hill New Testament Church of God, St James and assaulted the pastor Gregney Holder and his wife Alison Holder during morning service.

Chairman of the BXC Rev Dr Cicely Athill-Horsford also said that the issue of mental health in Barbados deserves more attention and sharp focus, especially in these unprecedented times.

“Care must also be taken to prevent persons from inflicting harm in sacred spaces. Our assemblies, churches and places of worship should build on existing security measures, policies, and procedures to ensure safety during service hours. Identifying, destabilizing and disarming disruption should be included as part of general operating procedures,” Dr Athill-Horsford told Barbados TODAY Tuesday.

She contended that such an orientation should minimize harm, but diffuse and redirect energies towards holistic healing approaches.

“The BXC is ready to assist and support the creation of comprehensive documents to shore up such activity. In the meanwhile, we applaud the manner in which Sion Hill New Testament Church leaders have sought to address this matter,” the BXC added.

A man walked into the church while the assistant pastor was preaching, demanding that worshippers not use the name of Jesus. Pastor Holder was left nursing a gash to his head while his wife sustained a busted lip and some of the church benches and other property were damaged.

Yesterday, other local church leaders also condemned the actions of the perpetrator, urging faith-based organisations to pay more serious attention to protecting their congregants and property, including upgrading security measures

A man is in police custody assisting with investigations into the attack. (EJ)