标签： Bahamas

Bishop Delton Fernander will conclude his tenure as President of the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) this year, initiating a leadership transition as the organization prepares for its April elections. Constitutional term limits prevent Bishop Fernander from seeking re-election, ensuring the council will elect a new president during the upcoming vote.

Bishop Fernander, who assumed the presidency in 2017 following elections at Cousin McPhee Cathedral where he succeeded Dr. Ranford Patterson, will transition from his ecclesiastical leadership role to a significant national position. His departure coincides with his appointment as the new Chaplain for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, effective Wednesday. He will replace Apostle Raymond Wells, whose service concludes at the month’s end.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe formally welcomed Bishop Fernander to his new capacity, emphasizing the appointee’s technical qualifications and their alignment with the defence force’s ongoing modernization initiatives. Minister Munroe noted that Bishop Fernander’s expertise would contribute substantially to the organization’s improvement goals.

Beyond his presidential role with the BCC, Bishop Fernander maintains leadership of New Destiny Baptist Cathedral in New Providence and holds a PhD in Philosophy. His distinguished career includes previous service as Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Building Pastors and People International, with national recognition as an accomplished preacher, educator, and motivational speaker.

A systemic failure in emergency medical infrastructure has come under intense scrutiny in The Bahamas following the tragic death of a 76-year-old man. Alston Rolle, a dementia patient, passed away after an air ambulance dispatched to evacuate him from Exuma to a advanced medical facility in New Providence was forced to abort its mission. The aircraft, circling the Exuma International Airport, was reportedly unable to land due to inoperative runway lighting, a critical safety violation.

The incident unfolded on the night of February 18th. A’neasha Rolle, the patient’s daughter, recounted the agonizing experience of waiting with her father in a ground ambulance, watching the rescue aircraft circle overhead at least four times before it ultimately departed, low on fuel, without completing its mission. The patient was returned to the Exuma Healthcare Facilities Clinic for overnight observation, where he was placed on oxygen. Despite assurances that a second flight would be arranged after 6 a.m., Ms. Rolle received a call that morning informing her of her father’s death hours earlier, around 4 a.m.

The tragedy has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Chester Cooper, the Exuma and Ragged Island MP, confirmed an official investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas is underway, noting that preliminary checks had found the runway lights operational at sundown. The family’s grief is compounded by further allegations, including a discrepancy in the recorded time of death and the unauthorized removal of Mr. Rolle’s body from the local morgue without family consent.

This case has ignited a broader political and public debate over the chronic inadequacy of healthcare services for the Out Islands. Debra Moxey-Rolle, a political candidate, condemned the situation as a dangerous systemic failure rather than a mere inconvenience, highlighting that emergency flights are often the only lifeline for residents requiring critical care not available locally. The incident underscores a pervasive issue of infrastructure neglect and its dire human costs.

Freeport, Grand Bahama – In a striking case of fraudulent impersonation, the Grand Bahama Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 30-year-old Kimeo McIntosh to three years imprisonment for orchestrating an elaborate scheme where he posed as a female attorney. McIntosh pleaded guilty to 53 offenses including forgery, fraud, money laundering, and impersonating legal counsel.

The investigation revealed that between October 2025 and January 2026, McIntosh operated under the fabricated identity of ‘Laniqua Rolle,’ targeting vulnerable individuals seeking legal assistance for incarcerated relatives. His sophisticated deception included presenting forged judicial documents and offering legal services that were never rendered, resulting in collective losses of $19,927.56 for multiple victims.

Law enforcement apprehended McIntosh on February 18 following an attempted escape while wearing complete female attire, including spandex tights, a bra, and cosmetic enhancements. Subsequent search operations uncovered additional disguise materials and two cell phones that facilitated the calculated fraud operation.

During sentencing proceedings, Magistrate Charlton Smith characterized the crimes as “deliberate, organized, and involving the misuse of purported judicial authority,” noting the direct impact on public confidence in the justice system. The prosecution highlighted McIntosh’s previous convictions for similar offenses involving breaches of public trust.

Despite mitigation arguments emphasizing McIntosh’s immediate guilty plea, expressed remorse, and offers of restitution, the court determined that the severity of the offenses warranted substantial incarceration. All sentences will run concurrently. McIntosh faces additional court proceedings today regarding separate child cruelty charges.

A senior Anglican bishop has issued a stern condemnation of extramarital relationships known as ‘sweethearting,’ labeling the practice as morally corrupt and indicative of The Bahamas’ departure from its Christian foundations. The remarks from Diocesan Bishop Dr. Anthony Farrington come in response to a comprehensive University of The Bahamas study that has quantified the prevalence of these arrangements for the first time.

The research paper, titled ‘A Description of Sweethearting in The Bahamas,’ analyzed responses from 6,714 adults and revealed that many married individuals maintain external sexual partnerships to fulfill emotional or intimacy needs while preserving their marriages. Among the key findings: one in five respondents reported multiple sexual partners within the previous six months, with 77% identifying at least one partner as a ‘sweetheart.’ The study also noted that 54% of married women described their sweetheart as sexually superior to their spouse, compared to 39.5% of married men.

Dr. Farrington expressed profound concern over the findings, stating that while he was aware of the practice, its documentation presented troubling evidence of societal decline. ‘Our society has drifted tremendously from our forefathers’ foundation,’ he remarked. ‘I condemn it unequivocally as a religious leader who believes in the institution of family as one husband, one wife, and their children.’

The bishop voiced additional concern about public reaction to the study, particularly comments normalizing sweethearting arrangements. This response, he argued, demonstrates that despite The Bahamas’ identity as a Christian nation, significant work remains to align practices with religious principles. ‘There is a difference between being a Christian and a believer,’ Farrington emphasized. ‘Many believe in God but are not walking in the footsteps of Christianity.’

In response to the study, religious institutions are being urged to intensify their focus on marital strengthening through seminars, family events, and potentially new programs specifically designed to address sweethearting. Bishop Farrington acknowledged that no marriage is perfect but stressed the importance of proactive effort, open communication, and professional counseling to maintain marital integrity.

Meanwhile, Bahamas Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander has raised methodological questions about the research, expressing uncertainty about the survey’s sample size and representation.

A Bahamian family is grappling with profound grief and outrage following the brutal daylight murder of 36-year-old Jonathan ‘Goddy’ Gooding, who was ambushed and executed last Thursday morning in the parking lot of Shirley Street Shopping Plaza. The incident occurred moments after the victim had completed his regular gym session, a disciplined routine he had maintained for nearly four years.

According to police reports, the tragedy unfolded around 9 a.m. when Gooding exited a commercial establishment and was approaching his vehicle. Surveillance evidence indicates a Japanese-model vehicle abruptly pulled alongside him, from which an armed assailant emerged and opened fire multiple times before fleeing the scene. The victim’s body remained visible on the pavement opposite his gym—a haunting image that has traumatized those who knew the dedicated fitness enthusiast.

Gelita Gooding, the victim’s aunt and childhood guardian, expressed devastating emotional turmoil in an exclusive interview. ‘When they killed Jonathan, they destroyed our entire family foundation,’ she stated, revealing that just hours before the shooting, her nephew had been at her home sharing laughter, collecting meals, and discussing fitness goals without any indication of impending danger.

The grieving aunt portrayed Jonathan as an exceptionally disciplined individual who deliberately avoided alcohol, smoking, and narcotics. His commitment to physical training stemmed not from vanity but from a philosophical desire to maintain mastery over his body and mind. ‘He was focused on his health. He wanted to live better,’ she emphasized, noting his aspirations to build a traditional family structure with children born only within marriage.

Originally from Bimini, Gooding possessed remarkable life achievements including extensive travel, fluency in Spanish acquired during extended residence in Cuba, and the recent accomplishment of obtaining his license as a boat captain—a profession that allowed him to operate excursions to Rose Island with immense pride.

The family’s anguish has been severely compounded by the rapid circulation of graphic crime scene footage across social media platforms. Ms. Gooding condemned this digital violation, questioning societal empathy: ‘I think that’s the most heartless thing in the world. How could you allow these people to be there, snapping and recording?’

Verline Smith, the victim’s sister, described the psychological impact of losing her brother shortly after burying the father of her children. ‘Any dark tinted car come close, I’m afraid. I don’t know what to do,’ she confessed, highlighting the pervasive fear that now shadows the family.

Close family friend Kadayah Bain remembered Jonathan as a cheerful, hardworking presence who maintained a small social circle and avoided trouble—making his violent death particularly incomprehensible to those who knew his character.

The investigation remains active as authorities pursue leads regarding the motive and perpetrators behind this shocking public execution.