Punishing Excellence

I was shocked and saddened - but not entirely surprised - to hear that the work permit of Rev. Alan Tilson, minister of Holy Trinity church in Hamilton Parish, is not to be renewed.

Rev. Tilson was the minister who married my wife and I. I have always found him to be a kind and pragmatic man, with a great sense of humour. When my wife and I first met with him while planning our wedding, I explained that I wasn't particularly religious. "So why do you want to get married in a church?" he asked me. "Is it just because it's a pretty location?"

Ruefully, I had to admit that that was indeed part of it. But he didn't chide me for that. He simply suggested that my wife and I come to church in the months leading up to the wedding with an open mind. He didn't make it a requirement for marrying us, as some churches do. We were so touched by his attitude that every Sunday morning for the next three months we did just that. Although it wasn't enough to convert me, Rev. Tilson came closer to doing so than anyone else ever has.

But the thing I most respect Rev. Tilson for is his ability to blend solemnity and humour. I've been to one Bermuda wedding where a minister turned the ceremony into a cheesy gag-fest, obliterating its deeper meaning. In contrast, our service was perfectly balanced. When he asked our congregation if they would support my wife and I in our marriage, he light-heartedly chided them when they didn't say "we will!" emphatically enough. Most memorably, after Mandy and I kissed at the end of our vows, he turned to the audience with a look of mock disgust. "I said kiss! That was a peck! Do you think they can do better than that?" he asked our guests. Embarrassed, but laughing, we kissed again, this time a little more... enthusiastically. It was a moment we'll always remember.

Rev. Tilson has faced threats to his work permit before. In April 2003, he was threatened with arrest after he offered to take a service at St. Paul's Church in Paget, which had no minister. Shortly after, there was doubt that his permit would be renewed as a minister who was a spouse of a Bermudian was also looking for work.

So what finally prompted Bishop Ewan Ratteray to withdraw his support from Rev. Tilson? Has a Bermudian minister applied for Rev. Tilson's job? Apparently not. While Bishop Ratteray acknowledged that Rev. Tilson had "served with distinction" and done "excellent work", and didn't deny his popularity with his parishoners, he nonetheless maintained that both Rev. Tilson and the parish "needed a change" and that "the time had come to move on". It was a feeble justification, which reminded me of Education Minister Terry Lister's determination to reduce the number of streams at St. George's Prep last year. Excellence, it seems, should be punished.

While Rev. Tilson may have seen this coming, that cannot have softened the blow of being asked to leave the country in which he has spent the last 16 years, particularly when he is only three years away from retirement. I wish him and his wife all the best for the future.

Comments

[big bad wolf on 28.02.05 at 22:15]

The God business needs work permits!!...hmmm lets see how many Bermudians have their papers to get into heaven!!! On the merit of these local Church games I think alot of people will not rise from Bermudian graves, when the Heavenly Host blow their trumpets. The Devil told me he is looking forward to seeing his Bermudian clients. I said please talk to immigration, personally red is not my favorite colour. ^..^

[Tiger Bay on 01.03.05 at 06:52]

It seems that the bishophoric needs a change. This type of tinkering is similar to that going on with the dentists and doctors. It is very demoralizing to the church, and likely to cause similar problems to those felt at St Marks. The local church should be free to choose its own minister.

[Adjustah on 01.03.05 at 07:44]

I think VSB had fun with this with their newsheadline, "Bishop Fires Canon"...

More media humor? The Bank cuts more than jobs style headline and photo caption yesterday in the business section. Hilarious.

[Pitts Bay on 01.03.05 at 08:45]

Just wondering, but would Rev Tilson be eligible for a PRC in 4 years?

Could the Bishop be worried about having someone able to compete for his job?

Just a couple of things that crossed my mind listening to the news this morning!

[JJ on 01.03.05 at 09:49]

I also had to chuckle at the RG's layout of yesterday's Bank of Bermuda/HSBC news. It was almost like, 'Hey, we're cutting your jobs, but the good news is we're serving cake!" I wonder if the RG did it on purpose? If I were in charge of the banks' marketing dept I'd be really piseed.

[Sue on 01.03.05 at 14:44]

Please help me understand the process....the stories about Rev. Tilson are wonderful.....but the process appears to stink. Now, please clarify for me....a permit can be denied without any negative basis? It can be denied if there isn't a Bermudian applicant interviewing for the same position?? It can be denied if there is no other applicant for the position? It can be denied and have the position vacant while advertising is posted to obtain a replacement? Seriously, would someone please enlighten me on these questions.

16 years of presumably loyal service to the parishioners of Bermuda, and no job security. I suppose Reverand Tilson was aware of that annually.....but I bet he would have assumed a good job would have been worth something.

I hope to return to Bermuda in time to see a swemon on Sunday. Reverand Tilson will probably take it better than his parishioners.
Sue

[Tiger Bay on 01.03.05 at 15:14]

There's a lot to say for reformed churches where the actual vestry and congregation call the shots.

[George on 01.03.05 at 18:06]

Short sighted, short sighted, short sighted, what else can one say! Once again we ohh so educated and informed Bermudians(the Bishop sitting at the top of this pile) "cut of our noses despite our face." One of the most effective and likeable of community leaders and we give him the nudge off the rock because of our short sightedness. Let's hope the Trinity church congregation stand up and make some noise no matter what little it might do. Let the bishop feel the heat once again for making such a stupid decision...............did he not learn from the last one he made? This does smack of preventitive termination............don't have to offer him any benefits of retirement locally and don't have to offer him permanent residency certificate.

[Paget on 03.03.05 at 09:56]

I think that the Bishop has become the poster child for a failed attempt at Bermudianization.

It didn't take long for the Bishop to destroy the thriving church community that existed at St. Johns before he became the rector. He imposed so many of his own personal views and beliefs on the congregation that most left and went to other churches or stopped going to church altogether. The Sunday school was attended by over 200 kids every Sunday but was emptied virtually over night. For his efforts he was given the nickname "The Rat".

It sounds like the Bishop has been up to some of his old tricks and Tilson has resisted him. Perhaps the Bishop is upset that Tilson has accomplished what he never could. In any event what the Bishop has done is wrong and needs to be corrected.

[big bad wolf on 03.03.05 at 10:02]

Wish god would come down and let people know that churches are not needed to pray to him or her. Best real church in Bermuda is Horseshoe Bay. Organized religion is for the sheep ....Lions prefer nature's many churches.

[Smiths on 03.03.05 at 11:39]

Hmmm - not sure what to make about what I hear on the streets about this, i.e.

1. Rev Tilson knew that it was highly unlikely that Immigration would renew his permit.
2. That he in fact resigned his position.

Now - if in fact he did resign - it may be that he 'did the honourable' thing so to speak or, in the alternative, by doing so, maximised his separation deal.

[Alan Tilson on 13.03.05 at 00:16]

I am curious to see what happened to my namesake. I find that it is concerning that an arbitary decision can wipe out a well regarded career. I wish him and his family well. Maybe they should come to Australia and straighten outvthe Anglican Church here!

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 30.03.05 at 15:17]

"While Rev. Tilson may have seen this coming, that cannot have softened the blow of being asked to leave the country in which he has spent the last 16 years, particularly when he is only three years away from retirement. I wish him and his wife all the best for the future."

Rev. Tilson may be a very good Minsiter but at the end fo the day he is not a Bermudian, he is on work permit. Long-term residents is an issue that Bermuda has had to come to terms with. Is Bermuda supposed to allow those who are on work permit to continue to stay until they become long-term residents?

This is the very reason that term limits need to be attached to work permits. How many people have we heard about who have spent years and years in Bermuda and when their work permit is no longer renewed they than complain that their children who were born in Bermuda do not know any other country? Are we simply supposed to allow persons to remain in Bermuda even though the problems caused with their children are their own faults?

Come on now if you are in a country on a work permit you should realise that at some point you are going to have to leave because it is not your country of citizenship.

Where do we draw the line?

[Tiger Bay on 30.03.05 at 15:46]

There is no sign at all that this has anything to do with permanent residency.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 30.03.05 at 15:52]

So why are people so upset that his work permit is not being renewed? There are many who claim it is wrong to not renew his work permit. Clearly there are many who want him to stay and if he is continually allowed to stay it could very well become a permanent residency issue.

[Point on 30.03.05 at 16:25]

Guilden

I would recommend you come on home and attend a service at Holy Trinity to see for yourself why he is so admired.

Also, I would have suggested visiting the Department of Immigration's webpage regarding their policy on long-term residents.....unfortunately it is still empty with a note indicating that "content will be provided shortly"..…..a very common theme applicable to much of the PLP’s approach to government.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 30.03.05 at 16:40]

Point,

I have heard nothing be great things about Rev. Tilson and I have family that not only attend the church but participate in the services. So my comments are nothing personal toward Rev Tilson.

Notwithstading that, Rev Tilson has held a work permit for 16 years how much longer shoudl his permit be renewed, indefinitely?

[Pitts Bay on 30.03.05 at 16:50]

Notwithstanding any of the comments from the Bishop and others, it is my belief that this was about PRC. If Tilson had stayed longer (i.e. 20 years or whatever the required period is), then he would have been entitled to his PRC, and then the "work permit revocation" threat could no longer be held over him.

[Point on 30.03.05 at 16:50]

I don't think renewing someone's work permit is concurrent with a concern they will seek a PRC. The more interesting question, however, is if he is doing a great job and there is no Bermudian to fill the post why force him out?

[Pitts Bay on 30.03.05 at 17:29]

Point - You have hit the nail on the head. Why force him out when there is no qualified Bdian to fill the post. The only reason I can think of is that the Bishop did not want competition - which could have been the case in 4 more years if Rev Tilson had applied for a PRC.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 30.03.05 at 17:50]

So what if there was no Bermudian qualified to fill the position. Why should Bermuda continue to allow people to get to the point of applying for PRC? It is high time the tide is stemmed.

If you are in a country on work permit you know that the country is not your place of citizenship and at some point it is time to leave.

Allowing persons to remain in Bermuda for so long is the reason we have the issue with long-term residents. When should we put our foot down and prevent further problems?

[shipstones on 30.03.05 at 19:15]

Allowing persons to remain in Bermuda for so long is the reason we have the issue with long-term residents. When should we put our foot down and prevent further problems?

Being one of those people Guilden, I don't feel I have been a problem to Bermuda or will be in the future.

My Employers felt that I was an asset to them and my relationship with my clients was a key to the success of the company.
Viewing expats as useable chattels that should be thrown away before they become a problem stinks.
Calvin Smith (senator) has recognised this and suggested that term limits are short term thinking.
Throw your dentist out before he gets comfortable.
The only Kidney specialist in Bermuda, stayed here without a work permit and worked for the good of Bermuda and left because of his frustration.
There is no long term oncology specialist here. Why?
There are not that many people that want to stay in Bermuda even two years so why force out obvious assets to the island?

I just don't get it Guilden! Sorry.

God threw Adam and Eve out of Paradise...... not a good reason for throwing vicar out as well!

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 30.03.05 at 19:20]

Ships,

So what you are saying is that once people arrive in Bermuda they should simply be alowed to stay as long as they want? Maybe we should simply do away with any immigration policies unless of course you are no longer an asset to your employer.

Why don't we just open up our borders and invite all that want to come in, as long as they promise never to cause any problems in Bermuda?

[Community on 30.03.05 at 19:37]

YES we should invite in those who add to our community!

[big bad wolf on 30.03.05 at 20:03]

Sorry to report this but for over five hundred years Bermudians have been arriving from other countries.

[The Limey on 30.03.05 at 21:08]

Guilden,

Notwithstading that, Rev Tilson has held a work permit for 16 years how much longer shoudl his permit be renewed, indefinitely?

If there is not a Bermudian or a more capable expat who wants his job, then, yes, definitely. For Bermuda to do otherwise is simply cutting off its nose to spite its face.

[Smiths on 30.03.05 at 21:32]

A simple (perhaps some would say simplistic) question?

Why is there a link between work permits and PRC?

If as a community (aka the Government) we are concerned about PRC, why is it available at all?

If Rev Tilson and indeed any others want/are able etc to work here and choose to do so knowing that they can never live here permanently, then why shouldn't they? At 65 - or whatever the retirement age is for the job that you do - you have no reason to be here - so you go! No job = no stay.

Never understood the link when term limits were first being discussed - other than recognising that it was "throwing a bone of comfort to the PLP voters". Much like the "selling houses to none Bermudians" - except that one back fired somewhat.

[big bad wolf on 30.03.05 at 22:36]

I don't believe in PRC I would rather base granting status Full Bermudian after five years based on outward flow of Bermudians to other countries. No term limits...but when Bermudian appicant is sucessful.Employment is ended and three months grace to find another job in Bermuda or back to homeland. Would that be a fair system?

[shipstones on 30.03.05 at 22:50]

Bermuda should be more careful on letting people in, in the first place. The new law about minimum wage is great for a start. Once they are in and have a job they should be treated like every other resident and after 5-10 years if they still have a job and clean police record they become full citizens.
If you are worried about too many people on the island, don't let anymore unskilled people.

[Bill Cook on 17.04.05 at 09:14]

With regard to the termination of Rev Tilson,one would not need to be the sharpest knife in the drawer to realise that another agenda rather than the explanation given was in play.
It is a sad reflection on our morality or lack thereof that we extend special status to those who are the top echelons of multi million dollar companies regarding work permits but not to those who contribute to holding the family structure together and societal stability etc.
In like vein those talented doctors,educators, and may I ad the hare brained idea that we can take on police for 5 yr periods and have them leave, knowing that successful policework is only possible after the police have integrated into the community and can get their cooperation.
If we truly are a democratic country and the will of the people must be carried out and clearly the people wanted Rev Tilson to remain he should have been granted status as a vital and much needed part of our society.

[Tiggy on 16.08.05 at 16:32]

I had to laugh when I read in today's RG that a search is now on for Holy Trinity's new rector since Alan Tilson's work permit wasn't renewed. So here is a parish without a rector now and "the lay people of the Holy Trinity are helping out at the church to ensure the ministry and services continue".

Now wouldn't it have made more sense to keep Rev. Tilson as rector until they found a replacement that they claim they needed? Or did Alan Tilson basically "if you don't want me, I'm leaving?"

[Bill Cook on 16.08.05 at 16:56]

Tiggy,

I am not into religion but it is unfortunate that when we have such wonderful people who contribute so much and we terminate their work permits.

I am still upset that Dr Spanenberger was allowed to leave when he enjoyed such popularity due to his expertise and personality.

There is great competition for skilled people due to world shortage of them and yet we disgard them like yesterdays newspapers.

We need some fresh blood from time to time and the family of Rev Tilson would it seems have been a welcome addition.

I can think of some who remain that are anything but beneficial.

Rev Tilson will have a warm welcome back home as Ireland both North and South are enjoying a boom and he will have a positive impact there.

Their gain is our loss.