High Court Judge Justice Esco Henry, on Wednesday, ruled to allow 10 churches calling themselves the Christian Coalition to join the Government in responding to the constitutional challenge to the buggery and gross indecency laws in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The judge handed down the ruling one week after hearing arguments from the Christian Coalition, and lawyers for the claimants.
Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell, one of the two lawyers representing the claimants, told iWitness News that the judge agreed to allow the churches to join the lawsuit as an interested party.
They will be allowed to file written submissions and make oral arguments to the court.
However, in terms of evidence, the churches are restricted to filing two affidavits, Barnwell said.
Justice Henry is expected to issue her written ruling on Thursday.
Barnwell and Jomo Thomas are representing the claimants, gay Vincentians Sean MacLeish and Javin Johnson, who say the nation’s anti-buggery and gross indecency laws contravene their constitutional rights.
Under the Criminal Code, any person who commits buggery with any other person, commits buggery with an animal, or permits any person to commit buggery with him or her is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
The Criminal Code also says that any person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another person of the same sex, or procures or attempts to procure another person of the same sex to commit an act of gross indecency with him or her, is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for five years.
The men are asking the court to declare the laws, unconstitutional, void and of no effect.
Ten churches had asked to join the Attorney General in responding to the challenge to these laws.
The churches are: Seventh-day Adventist Church; Evangelical Church of the West Indies; New Testament Church of God; Spiritual Baptist Church; Church of God St. Vincent; New Life Ministries; Light of Truth Church of God; Kingstown Baptist Church; Living Water Ministries International, and Hope Evangelism Outreach Ministries.
The churches were represented by Meisha Cruickshank.
Dem say wen Crapo smoke im pipe an im drap it den we ah go see ah who fire bun!
An ah so man run an ah so man come til dem fall ener Hell!
It’s interesting that the Catholic Church is not on the list of churches included in the so-called “Christian Coalition.”
you think the Holy Mother Church have time to waste? they already made themselves clear according to Pope Francis I
Somebody has to make a stand. Well done.
To my Lordship.They say a prophet have known uner in his home Well consider St Vincent your home.l know you have been given the ORDER Of EXCELLENT in your home land you surve as Attorney general in your country and edviser to the ECSB . So your judgement speaks for itself in this matter.I do not always agree with your judgment but this one is timely.
RELIGIOSITY JOINED WITH SECULARITY – SHEER JUDICIAL MOCKERY
An unholy marriage of ‘…Secularity and Religiosity.’
Clearly making ‘…Mockery of the Judiciary.’
It is obvious that ‘…judicial independence’ had succumbed to environmental pressures.
Moreover, reasonable inferences might be drawn that ‘…secular calls’ may have greatly influenced such Court decision.
The Court is saying to the ‘…Christian Coalition’ (numbering 10 Churches), ‘…As a grouping, you can be a joinder with the Government as respondent in the judicial proceedings, but only two Churches can make and submit affidavits’ [Paragraph 5].
Now, Hear Ye! Enter into the devil’s kingdom of ‘…hell, fire and brimstone.’
Very happy with this decision
how about Ralphs Obeah Church/coven will that be represented?
lol, as it that would make a difference….
Check out their seminal doctrines. Was the Catholics ever of the Christian Church? Just asking!
H Nigel Thomas Ah we uh day?
God law is made male to female..god never join Adam wit Joe..or eve wit mary..you can’t born gay..if born a man an look like a woman u are still a man jah made u that way
Who r we to judge.Every one will answer to the creator,when the time comes.
Jomo, is now officially the leader of the sodomy lobby in Sin Vincent and the Gaynadines.
By the way where was the Christian coalition when a young girl was gang raped by her school mates and the authorities appear to be dragging their feet in persecuting these delinquents. Where was the Christian coalition when gun men are brazenly and callously executing their rivals in the middle of the town; where was the Christian coalition when 10 and 12 years old are being raped just so…where was the Christian coalition when the members of the NDP were treated like floor cloth in the house of parliament?
The court will rule the buggery laws are unconstitutional in these times we are living in; and the Christian coalition will tuck their tails between their legs and crawl back to their hole, waiting for another issue that fit their hypocritical agenda.
To the Christian Coalition, gwan so!
There are tons of areas around the world offering homosexual practices for those intending. St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not have to join in every bandwagon.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God.
When the adventist join with other churches, it is call revival. Something is about to happen…