New Zealand's most anti-gay religious figure has given himself a promotion – Pastor Brian Tamaki has announced his elevation to Bishop Brian. Tamaki said after a service in Dunedin, held at Dunedin North Intermediate School, that the political church thought the time was right to ordain its first bishop. He said it wasn't his idea, but a decision made by church leaders, although the Destiny movement's charitable trust includes a clause giving Tamaki or his appointed “apostolic successor” exclusive power of veto over any decision the church makes. The new bishop told media his decision to accept his new title was not an attempt to give greater weight to his political pronouncements. The promotion will now give Tamaki a new opportunity during his repeated attacks on the country's media, allowing him to ask journalists to stop bashing the bishop. Meanwhile, from the irony news wire, Destiny's political wing leader Richard Lewis says the party will give priority to front-line policing. An ex-sergeant, Lewis says: “When it comes to genuine political support for policing, only someone who has 'been there' will take crime in our country seriously...Unlike the current Police Minister who is completely ignorant to the realities of frontline policing, I know what it is like to do the hard yards without staff and resources week in and week out.” Lewis has indeed “been there” in a way that Police Minister George Hawkins never has. Lewis was ejected from the police force, and had a questionable record during his time on the beat. The Herald On Sunday revealed in October that he cheated on police tests, was charged following a bar room brawl, and was investigated for possessing steroids.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 19th February 2005 - 12:00pm