Opposition Sen. Leonard Santucci has called for Immigration to make clear guidelines governing foreign preachers after one was threatened with arrest for moonlighting.

On Sunday, Canon Alan Tilson was told two officers were waiting for him if he showed up to take the early service at St. Paul's Church in Paget.

The church has been without a permanent preacher for 14 months and has used stand-ins to get by.

The threat from immigration was branded by The Bishop of Bermuda as being reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

Sen. Santucci, an AME Minister who preaches at Heard Chapel, agreed with the Bishop's sentiments.

"What concerns us is they are demonstrating a form of arrogance that labour governments are not commonly known for," he said. "I am disturbed by the actions of the Bermuda Immigration Department.

"The question from all of us pastors is what constitutes the limitation of colleagues on work permits in terms of the ability to minister outside their own pulpit?"

He said the policy was tightened under previous Progressive Labour Party Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox and continued under present Minister Terry Lister.

He said visiting preachers now had to get specific permission from Immigration to give a one-off sermon at a Bermudian church - something which caused difficulty if they arrived out of the blue on a Saturday night and no Immigration officials could be found.

"Historically we would exercise the liberty to invite our colleague to preach. We no longer have that freedom."

Sen. Santucci said Government was being autocratic but had not set clear guidelines on what those on work permits were and weren't allowed to do.

He wondered what the point of the new red tape was. He said: "There is no long line of local candidates for ministries."

He praised Canon Tilson's work in the community but questioned whether his useful contribution on a committee at the hospital would also now be deemed out of bounds by Government.

"The St. Paul's scenario creates a dilemma for every parish in Bermuda. All of us are hesitant to invite guest worker pastors."

If Government's intention was to entirely Bermudianise the clergy, then the Minister should say so, he said.

Last night Government released a short statement which said: "It is the policy of the Department of Immigration not to discuss or publicly comment upon individual cases or the actions taken by staff members in relation to these matters.

"Nonetheless, we appreciate the concerns expressed in certain sectors of the community.

"However the Department of Immigration has a duty to execute its responsibilities fairly and without prejudice or favour to any particular group or individual."