An impending election appears to have inspired "a collective conversion'' among Progressive Labour Party candidates, an Anglican minister has told his flock.

Rev. Ewen Ratteray, rector of the Parish of Pembroke, said if politicians wished to attend church, they should do so not only at election time.

Writing in the church bulletin, Rev. Ratteray said the recent controversy over visits by PLP candidates to churches in Warwick reminded him of an incident last November.

"I invited all Parliamentarians, through their leaders, to attend St. John's just before the convening of Parliament,'' he wrote. "The response was poor.

"About a dozen came to church (they did not speak!), among whom were the Premier Sir John Swan, and the Leader of the National Liberal Party Mr.

Gilbert Darrell.

"Representatives of the Progressive Labour Party were conspicuous by their absence.

"Perhaps since last November that party has undergone a collective conversion and seen the errors of their ways.'' PLP Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he would have to check his calendar to determine why he did not attend the service at St. John's. "I'm sure that there was a reason why I wasn't there,'' he said.

"Just because we didn't attend that one service doesn't mean that we're atheists, or that we're not church-going,'' Mr. Wade said of the PLP.

Pembroke Parish takes in St. John's, St. Monica's, and St. Augustine's churches.

Rev. Ratteray said regular church attendance by politicians, "especially outside of election time, would have a greater impact on those whom they represent and could well result in votes being cast in their favour.'' "But people are not fooled by excessive interest in their affairs every five years or so by political candidates. Such persons ought to be diligent at all times about taking care of the needs of their constituents.'' Despite criticism from the United Bermuda Party and members of the church community, the PLP has vowed to continue what has been dubbed their "church campaign.'' Mr. Wade said PLP members were encouraged to get to know the clergy in their constituencies at all times, not just at election time. He received several invitations to churches each month, he said.