Church group member wants dialogue on bus preaching ban

Charlene Stuart, Senior Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches says there needs to be dialogue on the issue of preaching on public buses before an outright ban is imposed.

Earlier this week the Managing Director of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC), Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin gave a directive that seeks to end the practice of individuals using the public transport system to preach.



Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of traffic, Radcliffe Lewis has also warned that it is an offence and persons in breach can be charged with disorderly conduct on a public-passenger vehicle.

But Reverend Peter Garth, a member of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches says the problem should have been discussed with all stakeholders before a decision was made.

He says a public announcement without prior discussion is no way to handle the issue, and many preachers are probably unaware they are breaking the law.

Reverend Garth says ideally, he would like to see regulations in place to guide this practice.

The JUTC head has said the decision for the ban came after the bus company received complaints from some commuters about the preachers on the buses.

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