The Opposition faces a backlash for its Parliamentary performance during the Stubbs bill debate, a church leader said yesterday.

The Rev. Dr. Goodwin Smith accused several Progressive Labour Party MPs of "beating up on'' churches.

He said smaller churches with mainly black congregations -- and traditional ties to the PLP -- would now hit back.

"I think the PLP have hurt themselves in this vote,'' he said.

Dr. Smith is the overseer of the New Testament Churches of God (Pentecostal), which have mainly black congregations.

He was also a member of the Christian Coalition, set up by church leaders opposed to Government backbencher the Hon. John Stubbs' efforts to remove the legal ban on gay male sex.

In recent months it has combined with the religious group Valiant Ex-Gay Ministry, which claims to represent "former homosexuals''.

The Christian Coalition campaigned vigorously against the bill, which was passed on Wednesday by the Senate.

The legislation will now be sent to Governor Lord Waddington for Royal assent.

Earlier this month the bill passed the House of Assembly 22-16.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade was among eight of 18 PLP MPs to vote in favour, along with 14 of 21 UBP MPs.

Shadow Minister of Legislative Affairs Mrs. Lois Browne Evans also backed the move.

And the other Opposition MPs in favour were Ms Jennifer Smith, Ms Renee Webb, Mr. David Allen, Dr. Ewart Brown, Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams, and Mr. Alex Scott.

Afterwards, PLP chairman Mr. Victor Fishington said Mr. Wade would probably receive flak from PLP constituency committees and other Bermudians.

He said the party leader had left his "vital organs open for damage''.

This week a banner proclaiming the death of the PLP following the Stubbs vote went up in Parsons Road.

It stated the party had committed political suicide by drinking "the poison'' served up by Dr. Stubbs.

The Rev. Smith, speaking personally, said politicians had every right to vote according to their conscience -- although he felt, perhaps, they should have consulted their constituents.

More importantly, however, he strongly objected to some PLP MPs' strong speeches against churches.

"My feeling is that the PLP have done damage to themselves,'' he stressed.

"I accept we were beaten in the vote. I have no problem with that -- we can take our licks.

"I take exception, however, to the very hard-hitting speeches against the churches and the little churches who have been very supportive down the years not only to the PLP but to politicians trying to do the right thing for this Island.'' The Rev. Smith said politicians often used churches for their own purposes, such as opening conferences with prayers.

It was unnecessary for them to attack churches, he added.

The Rev. Smith's criticism did not extend to the United Bermuda Party MPs so much.

While most UBP MPs backed the Stubbs bill, they did not lash churches, he said.

The Rev. Smith said the bill would remain an issue at the next election.

He would remind Bermudians who voted for the bill, he added.

"That is my responsibility.'' Opposition to the Stubbs bill was particularly strong from the AME churches.

But yesterday presiding elder of the AME churches, the Rev. Malcolm Eve, declined to comment about a possible backlash against the PLP.

The Rev. Conway Simmons, from St. Paul AME Church, said he knew many members of his congregation were dismayed by the vote.

"There is no way of knowing, however, to what extent that is the prevailing feeling.'' He added: "I am not politically attuned enough to give any views.'' GRAVE MESSAGE -- Is this something Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade should know about it? This sign was seen in Parsons Road this week.