Unitas Fratum Jamaica, better known as the Moravian Church in Jamaica, is facing perhaps its greatest crisis in the 260 years since the followers of John Hus set up shop in the island.

The sex scandal which has rocked the church after Rev Rupert Clarke was charged with carnal abuse of a 15-year-old girl, and deepened with further allegations against two of its most prominent leaders, has opened gushing wounds hardly expected of a body that has kept its head focused on its spiritual work and maintained squeaky clean hands throughout the long years.

The Moravians, though a relatively small group, with 30,000 members, have made significant contribution to Jamaica’s development, particularly in the field of education. Their names are never mentioned in the hot controversies for which Jamaica is well known.

Its three best known stalwarts are Bishop S U Hastings, Rev Walter Malton O’Meally and Mary Morris Knibb, all now deceased, but immortalised by the Postal Corporation of Jamaica which issued a commemorative stamp series in recognition of their long and distinguished service to the Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Jamaican society on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the church in 2004.

Bishop Hastings, a giant of his time, was the first Jamaican to head the local Church and possibly the first black to head the worldwide church, paving the way for Rev Dr Paul Gardner who has held both positions and who, regrettably, is now embroiled in the allegations of sexual impropriety which he has strenuously denied.

No one doubts that the church is bleeding, and bleeding profusely. Sex crimes are never to be expected within the body of Christ, worse because the allegations are against leading men of the church. All Christians would share their shame and pain, hoping and praying that they will be proved to be innocent of the accusations.

We hope that the trial of the men will proceed swiftly and that those with credible evidence will come forward to aid the process. If they are found guilty, they must face the law as any other citizen of Jamaica. There is to be no favour because of their religious affiliation.

On the other hand, we encourage Moravians generally to remain undaunted and to continue to do the very needed work to uplift Jamaicans, especially the poorest, knowing that this too certainly will pass.

This is a time of testing and an opportunity to invoke the spirit of their name, Unitas Fratum, which means “Unity of the Brethren”. They must also draw strength from the knowledge that nothing that has befallen them can be as bad as what happened to Hus, who was accused of heresy, underwent a long trial at the Council of Constance, and was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415.

The reformation spirit did not die with him. The Moravian Church, or Unitas Fratrum, as it has been officially known since 1457, arose as followers of Hus took up the mantle. Something for which we in Jamaica will be eternally thankful.