Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister has clarified Immigration law for ministers of religion conducting services outside of their parish - while taking a swipe at media coverage of the controversy.

Members of the Anglican Church as well as Mr. Lister and several technical officers attended a meeting on Monday to discuss the issue, which has made headlines ever since Canon Alan Tilson was threatened with arrest if he held a service at a church which currently has no minister.

Canon Tilson is in Bermuda on a work permit, and Immigration declared he would be stepping outside the bounds of his permit if he filled the vacancy at the church, no matter how temporarily.

However Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray has said publicly more than once this was a move reminiscent to him of Nazi Germany.

In an article he wrote in April which appeared in the Bermuda Diocesan News for May, he said: "My perception of Bermuda as a place where freedom is cherished and respected has changed dramatically as a result of that one telephone call ... I am firmly of the opinion that the Government of these Islands would do well to refrain from interfering in the affairs of the Church in such an objectionable and high-handed manner."

In a recent statement on the issue, Mr. Lister said he was concerned recent media headlines had done an injustice to Bishop Ratteray.

"Leaders, especially spiritual leaders, set the standard and instil respect for the law. They should not be portrayed as inciting people to break the law, particularly at this time when public attention has been focused on issues of lawlessness.

"I would like to assure ministers who are work permit holders that, subject to the conditions of their work permit, they can marry, bury or take services in churches other than their own, at the invitation of the incumbent minister of that church. However, they cannot fill a vacancy in another church, even temporarily, without specific Immigration permission.

"I am prepared to continue to assist churches generally in gaining a thorough understanding of the work permit policies and to achieve what I hope is our collective goal to ensure that qualified Bermudians are allowed to work in their chosen profession."

This week Assistant Chief Immigration Officer Rozy Azhar said Immigration was concerned about the article, explaining: "There are two important issues that are at the heart of this issue.

"The first is the need for religious organisations to be aware of their responsibility to adhere to the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 and its related policies.

"The second and most important is that the Minister (of Home Affairs) has a mandate to ensure that any suitably qualified Bermudian can be gainfully employed in his or her chosen profession in Bermuda.

"Since the press release of April 23, the Minister has contacted the Anglican Church to set up a meeting with the Bishop of Bermuda ... As the Bishop was away for a period of time, the meeting was held (Monday) and our concerns were discussed.

"We are hopeful that the stated principles are not in conflict with the goals and values of the Anglican Church, and we will, therefore, reach a successful resolution on the issue."

Ms Azhar described Monday's meeting as "cordial", saying the issues were identified and discussed.