Gardner vows to clear his name

The Rev Dr Paul Gardner, former president of the Moravian Church in Jamaica, has issued a statement indicating that he will be working assiduously to clear his name.

Gardner resigned last Thursday, two days after a woman wrote to the bishops of the Moravian church raising damning allegations against him. This follows the arrest and charge of their colleague pastor, Rupert Clarke, who was caught in a compromising position with a minor last year. Gardner's deputy, Jermaine Gibson, against whom similar allegations were made, also resigned.

The former president described the allegations as "vile and unfounded" and noted that while he remains committed to the church, he has stepped aside to allow thorough investigations to take place.

"I have been committed to a life of service to my church and my country, which I always did with unquestioned integrity for more than 30 years," he declared.

"In that same vein, I stepped aside from my day-to-day administrative responsibilities to give the church room to fully investigate these vile and unfounded allegations circulating in the media, and to prevent any of these institutions from having to deal with the distraction that this issue presents," he continued. "I intend, hereon, to concentrate on protecting and clearing my good name."