Two people were killed in a cult-like ritual at Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Montego Bay, St. James. A third congregant was shot dead after he fired on the police.
.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
Reverend Newton Dixon, President of the Jamaica Council of Churches
The debate surrounding the regulation of leaders of religious organisations has again been reignited following Sunday's deadly incident at Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Montego Bay, St. James.
Two people were killed in what has been described as a human sacrifice ritual at the establishment. Another congregant was shot dead after he fired on the police who were alerted to the compound.
Reverend Newton Dixon, President of the Jamaica Council of Churches, believes agreed ethical standards should be established for pastors in order to prevent a repeat of incidents like these.
Reverend Dixon has asserted that the Church and State have matured to allow for the monitoring to take place without infringing religious freedom.
"My call for this kind of 'ethical charter'...is made against the background that we have to find a way to say to each other, these are some of the basic standards that we'll agree on where protecting people in our religious spaces are concerned and how, in concert with government, how that is monitored."
He said churches must take responsibility for what occurs in their establishments since most of them have "very stringent measures for dealing with their own self regulation".
However, he noted that, more importantly, what is needed is "a general approach that is open and transparent to the entire nation, where churches say together, these are the things we do to protect people from harm and danger".
Kevin Smith, the leader of Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Montego Bay, St. James, remains in police custody following Sunday night's incident.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Chambers on Tuesday said Mr. Smith is being investigated for several offences.
ACP Chambers said the congregants are cooperating with investigators.
All feeds
