RONNIE THWAITES, disgraced former People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament for Central Kingston, is again ministering as a deacon of the Roman Catholic Church.
Speculation about Mr. Thwaites church activities arose after he played a prominent role part in the funeral service for the late Roman Catholic Archbishop Emeritus for Kingston, the Rev. Samuel Carter on September 11 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.
Mr. Thwaites had resigned as a Member of Parliament over allegations of professional misconduct and took leave from his church duties.
In a statement yesterday, clarifying the matter, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, the Most Rev. Edgerton Clarke explained:
"On the 23rd July, 2002, I had publicly announced that for reasons of his own, the Rev. Mr. Ronald Thwaites, an ordained deacon of the Roman Catholic Church, had requested indefinite leave of absence from his ministry as a deacon of the church.
"I had granted that request after searching conversation with him. Later on, after prayerful deliberation, I came to the decision that Rev. Mr. Thwaites should return to the exercise of his ministry. Consequently, on the 5th September, 2002 I informed him of my decision and invited him to return to the exercise of his deaconal ministry and to be Minister of the Word at Archbishop Carter's funeral.
"The Rev. Mr. Thwaites is again exercising his ministry as deacon in the Roman Catholic Church with specific assignment to the Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Liguanea, and St. Martin de Porres Church in Gordon Town."
Mr. Thwaites has also resumed working as host of the Power 106.
