UPDATE: Bishop Cline given 'warning' & released
"The individual has been released from police custody now," Police Commissioner Mr Michael B. Matthews said.
According to the CoP, the individual was "cautioned and warned."
VINO can confirm the individual arrested was Mr Cline.
Information reaching our newsroom was that Mr Cline, along with two other persons, was streaming a church service from the New Life Baptist Church in Duffs Bottom when police turned up.
Virgin Islands News Online will bring you a full update on the issue shortly.
See previous story published March 29, 2020
Bishop Cline arrested following 'illegal church gathering' @ NLBC
Word just reaching Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that outspoken pastor of the New Life Baptist Church (NLBC), Mr John I. Cline, has been arrested by police for breaking the mandatory 24-hour curfew by allegedly holding an illegal church gathering at NLBC in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, this morning, Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Police did not name the church or release the name of the person arrested but VINO can confirm the person held is Bishop Cline, who has been in public opposition of the mandatory curfew from the onset.
Bishop Cline had publicly said he was not going to respect the 24-hour curfew but then recanted after reportedly coming under pressure from members of his congregation. He had told VINO he had revisited his position after 'wise counsel'.
"I can confirm officers have attended a call to an illegal gathering at a church and have arrested one individual who is currently at Road Town Station," Commissioner of Police Mr Michael B. Matthews told Virgin Islands News Online.
The Virgin Islands is currently on 24-hour lockdown and only persons fitting the category of essential workers are exempted, but have to possess a pass issued by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Church gatherings are not exempted from the lockdown.
Bishop Cline was still being questioned at the Road Town Police Station up to time of publication.
More details to follow.
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103 Responses to “UPDATE: Bishop Cline given 'warning' & released ”
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Extracted from the website
COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
This man needs to be though a lesson ,and he needs to be charged for reckless endangerment, you don’t have yo look for any motive he expressed it before in the days previously.
"Napoleon Complex" is a theorized inferiority complex normally attributed to people of short stature. It is characterized by overly-aggressive or domineering social behavior, such as lying about earnings, and carries the implication that such behavior is compensatory for the subject's physical or social shortcomings.
Yep fits Mr. C!
we will gladly welcome him
This is like a Jim Jones cult.
He must be invincible to being harmed and everyone else must take precautions.
Proverbs 15:32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
What part of he did not have a pass you don’t understand?????
WHY SHOULD HE GET A PASS AND THE OTHER CHURCHES CAN’T.
We ain’t born yesterday.
My Bishop is not form here he cannot do this foolish thing like this and coming next Sunday and preach to me.
If others were in that building while he was streaming they all should be quarantined for an extra 2 weeks.
Why he so feel he had to go in a building to bring that message ...Jesus was in the garden, on the seashore, in a boat, in people’s homes, on a mountain you name it spreading the Gospel.
Some of these people believe they more qualified to because they in the church (building) but God does not call the qualified He qualifies the called.
There are many who are more knowledgeable than the Saturday/Sunday worshippers.
What makes him an essential worker and other pastors not.
I’m sure you heard it said in House of Assembly even the Govt. Ministers and essential workers should NOT be on the street unless absolutely necessary.
U all better free that man
Or feel the wrath
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
2 Timothy 2:23
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
or otherwise must be able to exercise good judgement and should be of good example to Their followers. The best thing would have been to setup the broadcast from home via internet. Remember that the devil can only do as much as God will allow him to. God has taken us through many things and will also come to pass.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
1 Peter 2:13
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
Matthew 22:17-22
Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” ...
He is also saying that this is why the Governor has requested for all persons to 'stay indoors.'
Now tell me - is he delusional; or a prophet of doom and gloom; or a righteous messenger inspired by God with an urgent message we all need to hear? I have listened to him on several different platforms over the past few days, and his message is consistent.
I am deeply concerned. Should we be?
The other thing is this. He keeps flip flopping.
1. When the lockdown was first announced, he said he would defy it.
2. Then he backtracked and said he repents and will obey the law.
3. Then he said they launching 5G and it would be safer to stay in.
4. Now, he and a few others leave their home and gone to church. Are they not afraid of this 5G thing ? Or is it that they have divine protection from this evil.
John is flip flopping like a crazy man. Doesn't look good for a shepherd who is leading so many sheep.
The wolf will snatch the feeble ones while he is flip flopping.
Here's why 5G and coronavirus are not connected:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2873731001
The coronavirus pandemic could impact 5G deployment timelines for network operators:
https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-could-delay-next-set-of-5g-standards-2020-3
Definitely NOT caught in his web.
Most of the pastors and members of that “church” were once members of other churches, who left those churches because they were not given the positions they wanted.
That church is simply a money making business disguising itself as the Lord’s house.
she bec you know a lot what are you doing with your life can you thru the first stone as if you are so damn perfect leave the people them alone u dirty minded &&**ole .gosh!!!!!.I don't care what you say now.
Commissioner you full of .... The Bishop blatantly defied the law, make an example of the man. You with your BS issuing warning.
but I disagree with the COP on a point of law.
Where is it written in the BVI law that Bishop Cline, when arrested for a criminal offence under the law of the BVI, should not be charged and brought before the criminal-court to face justice in a free and democratic society, under section 16 of the BVI Constitution?
The actions of the Bishop was pre-meditated, with intent to commit a criminal offence,
OR maybe there is no provision in law that breaching a curfew in the BVI is a criminal offence?
The BVI Constitution states:-
[" 15 (2) (c)- No person shall be deprived of his personal liberty, save as maybe authorized by law in any of the following cases:-(c) upon reasonable suspicion of that person having committed or of being about to commit a criminal offence under any law"]
So,if Bishop Cline's liberty was deprived, under section 15(2)(c) of the BVI Constitution,why isn't he being prosecuted under section 16(1) of the BVI Constitution?
The C.O.P does not have any constitutional authority to give Bishop Cline a warning for committing a criminal offence under the law of the BVI.
That authority falls within the constitutional-boundaries of the DPP!
Section 16(1) states:-
[" IF ANY PERSON IS CHARGED WITH A CRIMINAL OFFENCE,THEN UNLESS THE CHARGE IS WITHDRAWN,THE CASE SHALL BE AFFORDED A FAIR HEARING WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL COURT ESTABLISHED BY LAW"]
Bishop Cline is not immune from criminal prosecution under BVI law.
Only the Governor is immune from criminal prosecution under BVI law..
all this talking for you all wat good for one good for all who the hell is he if walk free for jail all should walk free for jail that why tola is how it is and there kids are the same because you name get you a slapon the a$$ tola will never be better
Because if not, the law will be sending the wrong message to the public.