By Delvardo Emmanuel

Journal Staff Reporter

The church remains split on whether persons who commit serious and heinous crimes should receive capital punishment, according to Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander.

His comments on capital punishment came during an interview with reporters on Tuesday.

“We’re divided and that’s because we’re different denominations. We’re from different places of faith, but we believe that there can be a turnaround with anybody.  We also believe that the book is clear, ‘an eye for an eye.’ That sometimes you’ve got to give a penalty for your actions. There must be some punishment that befits the action,” Bishop Fernander said.

While not giving a definite answer for his personal views, Bishop Fernander said the church stands by its beliefs that one can change and be extended compassion.

However, he added that one should be punished for his or her actions. He further adds that discussions will continue among the council concerning capital punishment.

“Well, we always have those conversations in that whenever, when you were coming in today, we had a very robust time of sharing today that there will be views and those views are different, but at the end of the day, we can’t force anybody to think like the other. We just respect that we are different, but we’re together,” He explained.

Bishop Fernander pointed out that “we are all a part of the body of Christ. And so, yes, the conversations do happen. Sometimes they are very strong and above, but at the end of the day, we must come up as a united body.”

There has not been an execution in The Bahamas since David Mitchell was executed on January 6, 2000 for killing two German tourists.