The total unfairness of all this to Jules Gomes simply underlines the continuing machiavellian manipulations of Bishop Paterson, who seems unable to avoid being a vindictive bully (which is the nicest term for him that I can use publicly). Rev. Gomes is one of those currently rare Anglicans who is willing to stand up for the scriptures and speak his mind in the face of persecution.

What is shocking is the presence of Nigel Cretney, a freemason. How can this be justice? Chancellor Geoffrey Tattersall needs to save his reputation and the reputation of the Church of England by calling off this farce asap.

As a Lay Reader in the Church of England, I am embarrassed to say that Bishop Robert Paterson is also the Warden of Readers in the C of E - a position he steps down from when he retires from Sodor and Man. Thus he is technically my pastoral oversight - I'm afraid I wouldn't accept much advice from him were push ever to come to shove. As our boss, he hasn't exactly shone, or indeed had any impact at all on readership in the UK, other than to see it decline, and there is now talk of completely abandoning the post he currently holds, and the committee of which he is chairman.
+Robert is a glaring example of the Peter Principle - 'managers rise to the level of their incompetence.' As the trend in bishop-selection appears to be based on secular management theory, I can see more Bishop Roberts in the future, rather than less.

I heard that the Bishop is trying to suggest that the CofE shares their jurisdicition with the Church of North India, and therefore can bring retribution against Dr. Gomes through the Church of North India. This is not true. The Church of North India is a completely separate body and does not share its jurisdiciton with the CofE. If this bullying bishop manages to influence or bribe any bishop from the Church of North India to crucify Dr. Gomes, I will not be surprised. The way Rev. David Green from the Isle of Man has been persecuted by him with false charges, will shame any secular institutional bullies. What upsets me is that such bullies do it in the name of the Church, defame the Body of Christ and make weak Christians stumble.

It's a total disgrace for the Bishop to continue hounding the Rev Jules Gomes. This is what structural injustice in the C of E looks like. The Bishop has drawn out this CDM against Jules to prevent himself having to sit before a select committee and answer to all the allegations of the Bishop's bullying, and it is also his last attempt before his departure to destroy Jules and his thriving ministry at the newly established St Augustine's Church. You ought to be ashamed Bishop Paterson of your evil intentions!

The Freemasons seem to me to be very good people; my grandfather was buried by them and the Baptist Church as well. Since my parents were both book-dealers I have been able to read and peruse some of their secret books which aren't supposed to be public. The simple fact is that the Freemasons are Monotheistic but not Trinitarian. Their system upholds good character, but is absolutely incompatible with Christianity. Freemasons do not belong in Christian churches, not because they aren't good people, but because they aren't Christians.

Yes, I have know many "good people" who were horribly deceived into heresies. Not Christian. How God will judge them is not in my capacity to to say.

Thank God we are saved by grace and not by our goodness. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and there is no one who is good, the Bible says.

Please will readers pray that this whole farce is exposed for what it really is. Thank you!

Just saw online that Dr Gomes's new church St Augustine's Church has been fasting and praying. Good for them!

I am praying that this farce comes to an end very soon so that Jules can get on with his ministry.

Cannot the diocese surcharge the bishop, once he is out of office, for wasting church funds in this egregrious manner?

It would be great if the Diocese of Man could do that. The Church here on the Island is impoverished enough without having to pay this massive bill.

How will the Bishop greet the Tribunal in good Christian fashion?
Bishop: The Farce be with you.
Response: And also with you.

I have been praying for the Tribunal and the Lord just gave me a verse for Dr Gomes. "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked" (Pro 25:26 ESV). Dr Gomes, the Lord wants you to stand firm against wickedness in high places, corruption, injustice and against those who call good, evil and evil, good as Isaiah had prophesied.

Thank you Virtueonline for exposing the farce of this so called Tribunal. Is it any different from any Tribunal in a corrupt country where the word justice is unheard of? It is disgraceful that a Christian organisation called the Church which is supposed to uphold justice and righteousness, is conducting a farcical Tribunal. It looks like a vendetta on the part of the Bishop and his Archdeacon as more and more stories of priests bullied and harassed in this particular diocese and other dioceses are coming to light. This bishop reminds me of Captain Ahab in Moby Dick pursuing his target to the last bit.