Here’s some unusual news, from our friends in the Caribbean:

Ronnie Thwaites has been suspended from preaching by the Roman Catholic Church until he decides to leave active politics.

The deacon, social activist, attorney-at-law and politician yesterday admitted to The Gleaner that the archbishop had barred him from delivering sermons.

“I can confirm that I have been asked not to preach during the time of my active political involvement, but my status as a deacon in good standing remains,” Mr. Thwaites said.

Deacons are just below priests in the Catholic hierarchy and have the right to administer certain sacraments and wear a special white robe known as a ‘dalmatic’.

They help the priests administer Mass, preside over baptisms and read the gospel in Church services, the role Thwaites has been temporarily stripped of.

The contents of a letter, purportedly sent to Deacon Thwaites by Archbishop of Kingston, Lawrence Burke, could not be attained by The Gleaner.

However Thwaites said: “It is clearly stated (in the letter) that it has nothing to do with any personal conduct of mine but it is the opinion of the archbishop that there is a conflict between being a politician and being a Christian minister.”

When asked if he agreed with the archbishop’s decision to bar him from the pulpit, Deacon Thwaites said: “When you are ordained in the Catholic Church you make a promise of obedience to the bishop, no matter how much you disagree with him.”

We had a similar controversy in the Archdiocese of New York a couple years ago.

Deacons are the only members of the Catholic clergy still permitted to hold public office. I’m wondering if someone at the Vatican is thinking it’s time for that to change…

Photo: Deacon Ronnie Thwaites, from Go-Jamaica.com