Speaking earlier this week at a thanksgiving service for elected leaders, Vice President of the BVI Christian Council Rosemarie Flax said it is always better to obey God over man.

“The Christian Council supports whoever God chooses to govern our territory. But our collective voices will be heard when necessary on any matter that affects God’s people and conflicts with the laws of God,” Flax said. “Acts 5:29 implores us in these circumstances to obey God rather than men.”

Flax’s statement comes amid fresh talks about legalising same-sex marriages in the BVI and a promised referendum on the matter. Just last week, backbenchers in the UK House of Commons called for the BVI and other Overseas Territories to legalize same-sex marriages and recognize the rights of same-sex couples.

While there’s no clear indication of how the public may vote in a referendum, residents have traditionally opposed same-sex marriages.

Despite a promise to speak out against matters the church opposes, Flax urged residents to support elected leaders although they may be dissatisfied with the outcome of the elections.

“Whether we like or dislike the election outcomes, God has spoken. He has placed these men and women in a position to represent us in this season. So unless they ask us to disobey God and His precepts, we are to submit and support them. Scripture says, ‘let every person be subject to the governing authority for there is no authority except from God and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God‘,” Flax stated.