Bermuda should take time out for reflection on Father?s Day, Opposition MP Jamahl Simmons urged on Friday.

And he told his House of Assembly colleagues during the motion to adjourn that the United Bermuda Party was seeking redemption.

?Make no mistake ? we recognise that the process of redemption takes time. But redemption and the future belongs to those who prepare for it today,? he said.

Quoting the Bible, Oscar Wilde and the hymn Amazing Grace, Mr. Simmons struck on the theme of redemption and said while Father?s Day was a ?sad day? for many because of the absence of too many fathers, there were many fathers who were living up to their responsibilities.

?We recognise that most fathers are doing the right thing in supporting their children,? he said.

?A good, strong father can make the difference between a lifetime of disappointment and anger, and a lifetime of fulfilment and good parenting in turn. So if we want to keep the Bermudian family and our community strong, we have to support Bermudian fathers in doing their best by their children.?

He added that the community should also make fathers accountable when they do not meet their responsibilities.

?More fathers need to get involved along with mothers in their children?s education,? Mr. Simmons said.

?More fathers need to spend quality time with their children and more fathers need to be giving their children the love and support that they need. Too often we are so preoccupied with economic survival that we neglect the little things that our children need and crave ? simple love and attention.?

He called on those fathers who are not living up to their responsibilities to redeem themselves this Father?s Day.

?Let us pledge to stop abusing our women and children physically, sexually and mentally. Let us pledge to stop poisoning our bodies with drugs. Let us pledge to be better men, better fathers, better husbands and better sons.?

He said the potential for redemption exists within everyone and that his party had ?embraced the message of redemption and forgiveness?.

He said the UBP had lived up to ?the dream of blacks and whites working together as equals? for many years before it ?lost its way and lost touch with the people.?

?And while so many of us who sit in this chamber on this side of the House were not there or had just got there when our tribe lost its way, we must share in the responsibility of redeeming this organisation.?

He added : ?The United Bermuda Party, like the prodigal son was for many years on the wrong path and in 1998 the people delivered them from us. But like the prodigal son we now understand where we went astray and we have run back to the people saying ?let us be your servants?.?

He said while some of the party?s past accomplishments ?make us puff our chests with pride? there had been ?failures that make us hang our heads in shame. But because of it all and despite it all we have a future.?