Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier, joined a happy congregation on Sunday at the St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church to welcome the Reverend Nicholas Tweed back to work.

“He was back in the pulpit and doing the job he was called to do,” Mr Roban said of the service, which followed last month’s victory in the courts against a decision by the Minister of Home Affairs to turn down a new work permit for the pastor.

“Those obstacles that were put in front of him to fulfil this role were clearly unjust,” Mr Roban added. “The people felt it, and the courts as well. The majority of Bermudians are happy that episode has closed, and Mr Tweed is back.

“What happened is reminiscent of what many people have forgotten about the AME Church, which has a history of standing up for social justice since its beginning.”

The work permit standoff brought Mr Tweed’s congregation out for prayer vigils to show their support, and prompted demonstrations, also driven by his prominent role on the People’s Campaign political pressure group. While it had seemed Mr Tweed, a guest worker with strong family links to the island, might have to leave Bermuda last January, the matter was successfully challenged in the Supreme Court — with Ian Kawaley, the Chief Justice, requesting the minister to leave the Board of Immigration to proceed with its decision.

“We were excited, and it was wonderful to have our pastor back,” another member of the congregation told The Royal Gazette. “He is back in the pulpit.”