Bishop Alvin Bailey, Chairman of Jamaica Cause and Vice President of the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals, has criticised Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, for her public support of a conscience vote on abortion.
In a statement Monday, Bishop Bailey called for Prime Minister Andrew Holness to rein in Mrs Cuthbert Flynn.
Last week, Mrs. Cuthbert Flynn was quoted in the Gleaner as expressing hope that the controversial issue could be returned to the parliamentary agenda and a conscience vote held to amend the laws in Jamaica.
This is against the background of Argentina's landmark ruling to legalise abortion.
Mrs Cuthbert Flynn reignited the debate on abortion in 2018 when she tabled a motion in the House of Representatives for the Government to consider relaxing the abortion laws to ensure that women have access to safe abortions.
However, Bishop Bailey says the legalisation of abortion must be publicly condemned by Mr. Holness if he is to be seen as having any moral authority to speak on homicides.
He says if the Prime Minister remains silent, such action would reflect hypocrisy and compromise, as well as a contradiction of Mr. Holness' mention of Christian principles which guided his early development.
Bishop Bailey also want Mr. Holness to renounce in Parliament any intention to further pursue the abortion agenda.
Instead he says, a Joint Select Committee should be established, comprising representatives of the church and other civil organisations to look at ways to assist pregnant mothers through adoption or foster care.
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