appointment as head of the Human Rights Commission -- by his own congregation.

Rev. Smith, of the New Testament Church of God, lobbied against laws to legalise homosexuality in 1994.

He has refused to back down from his stance, but promised nobody would be unfairly treated by the HRC because of their sexuality.

And he described himself simply as a "candid person'' who often got into trouble.

But The Royal Gazette has been sent a string of letters to the Editor protesting against Rev. Smith's appointment as HRC chairman.

Now members of his congregation have joined together to describe him as a man of "influence, integrity and objectivity''.

The letter, signed by the New Testament Church of God Island Advisory Council, did not specify the gay controversy.

But it said: "Those who name the name of Christ are well aware of and in total agreement with the biblical precepts and dictates on such issues and are thus content to allow others to be entitled to their own opinions.'' The letter claimed those who protested against Rev. Smith's HRC appointment had "not bothered to educate themselves with the facts''.

And it said he deserved the community's "wholehearted and unequivocal support'' as he had a solid and proven track record.

The letter referred to Rev. Smith's MBE as evidence that he had been recognised by the Queen.

It added: "Rev. Dr. Smith is a realist and well-attuned to the issues of the day.

"He is often called upon to speak or put forth a case for the underdog and has served or is currently serving on the Queen's Jubilee Committee, the education planning team and the former drug abuse board.

"He serves the defence board and the Special Juvenile Court Panel in a judiciary capacity.

"He is an independent arbiter and has helped to successfully resolve a number of recent industrial disputes.

"He is currently serving his third two-year term as a member of the international governing body of the Church of God, overseeing the affairs of some five million members.

"Without a doubt, Rev. Dr. Smith is more than adequately qualified to meet mandates and adjudicate matters without bias.'' Rev. Smith has already been quoted as saying: "I think that people generally have to accept that no matter what position we hold, we are individuals and individual people have their individual opinions.

"There are some people in my congregations in the Island who have also identified themselves as having homosexual tendencies.

"I don't deny them any rights in this church. I'm a candid person, very candid. And that usually gets you in trouble. But I guess what you see is what you get with Goodwin Smith.

"So I don't sit on the board committee behind any mask. And if the gay community feels that I will jeopardise anything that they would want to put forward, then they have the right to think that.

"But I think that my decisions are not going to be based on one's sexual preference.'' Rev. Smith succeeded another clergyman, Anglican Canon James Francis, as chairman of the Human Rights Commission.

CHURCH CHU GAYS GAY