Gomez: Sexual immorality and worldliness plague the nation -
By STAFF WRITER, Nassau Guardian:
Nassau, Bahamas:

Anglicans were beseeched to hear the call of Jesus like St. Matthew and follow Him, by Archbishop Drexel Gomez at St. Matthew's Church, as the historic parish celebrated its Feast of Title on Sunday.

The televised service was celebrated by the Archbishop Drexel Gomez, Primate of the West Indies and Bishop of The Bahamas, as he congratulated the members of St. Matthew's for their continued service in the building up of God's Kingdom on earth.

The Archbishop however noted that sexual immorality and worldliness in The Bahamas are things that bring great concern to him. "We have allowed our society to accept worldly values and worldly standards, and when we are going with the crowd we are going into the wrong direction," he said. "We are having a state of affairs in which it is alright to be immoral, and if we don't change, it would get worse, before it gets any better."

Archbishop Gomez admonished members of the church to allow each person to contribute, and to put on a Christ likeness.

"Let the words of Jesus cause us to live Christ-like lives and let this Christ likeness be found at home and at work."

And Gomez encouraged the members of St. Matthew's Church to in the words of Jessie Jackson to "keep on keeping on."

St. Matthew's, according to documents by Rev.Carter

After the evening service, the members of St. Matthew's were joined by faithful Anglicans from other parishes as they paraded throughout the community in a spirit of "Christian witness".

St. Matthew's Anglican Church is headed by Fr. James Moultrie who is assisted by Fr. Don Haynes and Canon Neil Roach.

The historic parish came about after Rev. Carter in 1796, documented that Nassau was so large that the people were considering building a chapel in the eastern district.

In 1799 the legislative Council passed an act to build a Church in the east.

The government gave 3,000 pounds but, at completion, the total cost was more than 7,000 pounds (excluding the steeple), and the seating capacity of the Church was 450.

The first Rector, Rev. Henry Groombridge arrived in 1802. He conducted the opening service on July 18, 1802.

Today 205 years later the parish of St. Matthew's Anglican Church continues to work strong throughout the Bahamian community, in spreading God's message to all. And they do all in their power to get the message out to the listening public.

09/27/07