Time to check churches

Scandalous actions by churches and their pastors seem to be on the rise. Reports in the media are a clear pointer to this.

It is either the story  of one  pastor  raping or defiling his ‘prey’, another defrauding someone under false pretence or  in  the name of  exorcism or whatever;  pastors assaulting their victims  and subsequently causing harm.

More seriously, some pastors keep their victims who should be in hospitals on their premises and release them when  it is too late and by which time they would  have collected so much money and other items from family members. Families of victims who die on the premises are rather made to buy more items for  so-called purification of the premises.

Crime

Even though rape, defilement and fraud occur  in our general society, the worry is  that questionable characters are using the title "pastor”  and “prophet" and the Holy Bible to perpetuate these acts. They are capitalising on the gullibility of the vulnerable and desperate to succeed in their crimes.

The title pastor or priest used to be the preserve of people who could pass for role models in our society but this cannot be said to be true any more.

 The recent story of the so-called pastor and his apprentice, who used hot stones to burn the whole body of a boy in the name of exorcism, readily comes to mind. 

That matter has been dealt with by the court but would it not have been better to prevent this from happening? Only God knows the many other victims they have harmed but who decided not to pursue the matter.

Demands

Just tune in to the television and radio , especially at the weekends, and you would see the unacceptable things some pastors are doing.  While some are asking people to pay sums of money for what they have christened ‘emergency’  or  ‘consultation’, others are offering holy water, holy oil and other items for sale to members who are desperate for solutions to problems. 

Some of the pastors demand recharge cards for their mobile phones from their victims under the pretext that they would call them at dawn for prayers and it does not take long for other demands to follow.

  In the name of fundraising, other pastors are fleecing their flock dry with different kinds of payments they demand from them and those who make the mistake of visiting them. 

Did Jesus collect fees for prayers and healing? My bible tells me no.

Adverts 

In newspapers and on  billboards, especially on the Kasoa road  and  on the wings of commercials, we find  advertisements  of some prophets claiming to have powers to solve every problem on earth, including looking for partners for singles, providing love potions, employment and looking into the future.  

There are also banners asking people to attend a three-week course to be ordained as pastors!

 Even though the story in the media about the pastor and the traditional priest who fought in public over juju money in the Ashanti Region seemed a funny one, it was an indication of some of the things some of those who call themselves pastors could do. 

Good deeds

Some churches have been very influential in the development of the country, especially in the educational sector. They have established schools and provided some necessary amenities for communities. They have also played the role of satisfying the spiritual needs of the populace and acted as a support  and welfare system for many.

Government intervention

But the abuses are getting out of hand, especially when it comes to that perpetuated by the one-man churches. This raises some questions, especially in the face of the fact that the government has a responsibility to protect its citizenry and against the background that the country's constitution allows freedom of worship.

 For instance, who should be allowed to establish a church? Who is monitoring what churches are doing?   Who should be called a pastor or prophet?  Should it be those who call themselves or those who are called?   Or is it  a free-for-all enterprise?

The Christian Council has made its position clear on this matter.

In a communique adopted at its annual general meeting on April 9 this year, the council called for a broad debate on the registration of churches in the country to bring checks and balances in the ecumenical front.

It was of the view that ensuring that churches registered with recognised bodies would help develop a structured front for national engagement. More importantly, the council said the registration of churches could help reduce some of it’s excesses and mentioned religious manipulation in particular.

The council also stated that the heads of churches should sensitise their congregations and followers to “self-called” prophets and 

pastors who, in the name of miracles, are manipulating people for financial games and fame.

It also advocated that the department of Social Welfare and the  Police Service undertake a nationwide exercise to stop the operation of prayer camps where human rights are abused and indicated its readiness to support the two institutions.

Time for action

With all these happenings, should the  government pretend all is well just to maintain a harmonious relationship with churches?  If there are some provisions in the constitution which are preventing intervention in this matter, is it not time to take another look at those provisions?

 Definitely, it is time for churches to check their excesses or forever hold their peace if their actions compel the government to chart a path for them to follow. Enough is enough.

Writer's email: doreen.hammond@graphic.com.gh