The Reverend Betty Furbert-Woolridge has been relieved of her duties as the presiding elder of St Paul AME Church by the Right Reverend Gregory Ingram.

It is understood that the Reverend Howard Dill has been appointed as the presiding elder of St Paul although Ms Furbert-Woolridge remains presiding elder of the Bermuda Conference of the AME Church, with oversight of all other ten AME churches on the island.

Bishop Ingram, presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District of the AME Church, visited Bermuda last week as protests and industrial action took place over the Bermuda Government’s decision to deny St Paul AME pastor, the Reverend Nicholas Tweed, a work permit.

Yesterday, AME sources told The Royal Gazette that during his two-night stay Bishop Ingram removed Ms Furbert-Woolridge from the St Paul post and appointed Mr Dill as the presiding elder for the east district with oversight of St Paul only.

While they were unable to elaborate on why the changes were made, one source said there had been no suggestion that there had been discontent with how Ms Furbert-Woolridge had handled the issues surrounding Mr Tweed and his failed work permit application.

On Saturday, this newspaper reported that Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Home Affairs, had acknowledged at a press conference that Ms Furbert-Woolridge had resigned as presiding elder of the church.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin contacted The Royal Gazette yesterday to say she had not confirmed that Ms Furbert-Woolridge had resigned, but was aware that she was no longer in the position at St Paul. She added that she understood Mr Dill had been installed as presiding elder of the eastern district, but that Ms Furbert-Woolridge maintains oversight of the other AME churches.

Bishop Ingram, who arrived on the island on Tuesday, called for calm heads to prevail amid the protests and expressed hope that a resolution could be reached.

However, hopes that Mr Tweed could stay began fading when, after a four-hour Bermuda Industrial Union meeting on Thursday, president Chris Furbert announced that members had voted to end their stoppage midway through its third day.

Asked at that point whether he believed Mr Tweed’s work permit would be renewed, he said: “It’s always going to be difficult when Caesar is judging Caesar. I don’t see how you can get a fair deal.”

Mr Furbert also confirmed the London-born pastor must leave the island by January 19, unless the Bermuda Government reverses its denial of his renewal application.

The Government has said Mr Tweed’s application was rejected because of inaccuracies surrounding his name and marital status. Mr Dunkley insisted on Thursday night that the decision was final.

Last night, Ms Furbert-Woolridge declined to comment when approached by this newspaper and no response was forthcoming from Mr Dill or the St Paul AME Church.

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