A race relations expert will visit the Island to sort out problems within a local church.

John H. Cartwright, a professor of Social Ethics at Boston University will fly into Bermuda next week as a guest of the Methodist Church.

The Rev. Dr. Peter Tink, Minister of the Central Circuit, said the visit was in response to charges of dissatisfaction and racism in some of the Methodist congregations in Bermuda.

Last September the Councils of Marsden and Centenary Churches petitioned the Synod of the Methodist Church for an independent expert to be commissioned "in an effort to determine the causes of discontent... and to make recommendations as to how the situation can be rectified''.

Rev. Tink said the motion was passed unanimously last October and the Committee of Reconciliation was formed under his chairmanship.

He added that Professor Cartwright's services were sought due to his experience in dealing with church conflict and race relationships within the Methodist Church.

Professor Cartwright is an African-American Methodist Elder and holds a BA from Wiley College, a STB and a Ph.D from Boston University.

Rev. Tink said the Professor will spend two weeks in Bermuda interviewing as many Methodists as possible.

The Church hopes that a completely new format for the denomination will emerge as a result of Professor Cartwright's work, "one in which all Methodist in Bermuda will feel respected, valued and equal''.

Rev. Tink added: "These are indeed exciting times for the Methodist Church of Bermuda. We thrust that all Christians will join us in praying for success of Professor Cartwright's endeavours.''