Onlookers Flock Courthouse As Moravian Ministers Make First Appearance

By Alicia Sutherland
Jamaica Observer
February 2, 2017

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Onlookers-flock-courthouse-as-Moravian-ministers-make-first-appearance_88269

Onlookers converge outside the Manchester Parish Court yesterday as a cameraman, in an attempt to capture accused Moravian clergymen Dr Paul Gardner and Jermaine Gibson, had an altercation with the police. (Photos: Gregory Bennett)

A Manchester resident has added his voice to the condemnation already being meted out to men of the cloth who are allegedly having sexual relationships with minors.

Clive Porter, who is from the southern end of the parish, was among scores of curious onlookers outside the Manchester Parish Court yesterday, as Moravian clergymen Dr Paul Gardner and Jermaine Gibson made their first appearance to answer to carnal abuse and indecent assault charges.

“Mi would a just like to see who is who and see what is what. Justice need to mek,” Porter told the Jamaica Observer.

The charges were laid against the two men because of an alleged sexually related incident involving a minor that occurred in the parish years ago.

The allegations against the clergymen were made public when Gardner, former president of the Moravian Church in Jamaica and his deputy Gibson were accused of having knowledge of what is allegedly the recurring sexual misconduct involving minors of fellow minister Rupert Clarke.

Clarke, a pastor at the Nazareth Moravian Church in Manchester, was recently charged when he was allegedly found in a “compromising position” with a minor in St Elizabeth.

Gardner and Gibson will return to the Manchester Parish Court on February 8.

Parish judge Desiree Alleyne was told yesterday that statements from the police needed to proceed with the matter were not yet available.

Gardner was represented by attorney Peter Champagnie while Gibson was represented by attorney Pierre Rogers.

Their departure from the courthouse yesterday resulted in chaos when an altercation developed between a cameraman and the police, when an attempt was made to take their photograph.