Setting record straight on UCKG HelpCentre
MY client, the UCKG HelpCentre, is much troubled by recent articles in the Belfast Telegraph (News, May 14/ April 25) and wishes to set the record straight.
The UCKG appreciates your mention of its successful planning application. Its aim in coming to Belfast is to promote the Christian faith in the Pentecostal tradition and it is passionate about helping people to live better and happier lives, whether they share its faith or not.
UCKG clergy and volunteers work hard in helping young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, embroiled in drugs, knife and gun crime and other scourges of our times. It helps to support domestic abuse victims, the lonely, older people, the sick, and remand and sentenced prisoners and their families, among many others.
In the UK, the UCKG HelpCentre works within Charity Commission guidelines, current UK accounting practice and the laws of the land.
The UCKG’s comments about your content are as follows:
Tithing: There is nothing wrong with this. The concept is biblical in origin. Some Churches do it, others don’t. It is optional for UCKG members and some of them do it, while others don’t. There’s really no story in this. Further, there is no connection between tithing and any accusations of charlatanism. Bishop Macedo’s perceived wealth is largely attributable to his media interests in Brazil, which exist to promote the word of God.
Zambia: The UCKG was briefly banned in 2005 as a result of false accusations, but was reinstated and is open in Lusaka, the capital, today.
Belgium: The UCKG is neither a dangerous cult nor out to defraud believers, as its successful, landmark case against the Belgian government confirmed. The state of Belgium had to pay damages, costs and the cost of publishing the judgment on the political and society pages of two national newspapers in that country.
Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) — posters 1997 and 2009: There was a mismatch between the ASA rules and the teaching of the Bible behind both of these incidents and, ever since, the UCKG has worked hard to ensure that it stays within the ASA’s rules, while endeavouring to capture interest and attract people to its events, which is the purpose of the advertising.
Victoria Climbie: As you rightly state, the UCKG was exonerated. It was not guilty of any wrongdoing towards Victoria. Others were and are still in prison. So, why bring this up and try to besmirch the UCKG’s name with it when the Church is innocent? In 2000, Churches, in general, did not have child protection policies; it was not then normal practice, as it is now. Following the Charity Commission’s recommendation, the UCKG prepared and introduced its child protection policy, shortly after.
Furthermore, all pastors, bishops and their wives (who help in the ministry) underwent specialist training on child protection and everyone in the Church who has contact with children, or vulnerable adults, continues to be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. It should also be noted that the UCKG does not exorcise, although it provides services of deliverance from all negativity.
Portuguese children: Although this case is ongoing, it has been categorically stated by the Portuguese authorities that no child was stolen from its biological mother. The children involved were removed from harmful situations by Portuguese government authorities.