Controversial ‘demon cult’ church to set up in North
Bishop Edir Macedo A CONTROVERSIAL church regarded by some as a “cult” is coming to the North.
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which is banned in several countries, received planning permission for a place of worship in Belfast city.
Founded in Brazil in 1977 by self-styled Bishop Edir Macedo, the organisation has around 12 million members in 200 countries.
However, over the years it has also been involved in several controversies.
The church places a strong emphasis on money and employs “tithing”, a practice whereby members of their congregation donate a fraction of their income to the church.
This belief has led to accusations of charlatanism against the church and has made Bishop Edir Macedo a billionaire.
In 1997 the Advertising Standards Authority axed a church poster claiming: “Constant headaches, depression, insomnia, fears, bad luck, strange diseases are symptoms caused by demons.”
The UCKG was also caught up in the alleged illegal adoption of babies in Portugal last year and a child abuse scandal in which an eight-year-old girl died in 2000 but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
It has a small presence in Ireland since it arrived here in 2003.
FAMILY MEMBER YESTERDAY
THE father of Irish Olympic swimmer Nicholas Quinn died at the weekend when he fell while hiking in France.
It is believed John Quinn was trekking the Vosges Mountains with friends on Saturday when he lost his footing.
He had been living in Strasbourg – where he worked for the European Union – for the past five years with his wife Mary, from Turlough Road in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
She and her family Darragh, Fionnuala and Nicholas were in Scotland when they heard the devastating news.
They are being supported by EU staff members in Strasbourg, who are John’s former colleagues.
Businessman Peter Sheridan, who is John’s brother-in-law said yesterday relatives in Castlebar are still coming to terms with the tragic death.
He added: “John was an avid walker. He was with a group of eight when he fell. “A medical rescue team arrived at the scene by helicopter but it was too late to save him.”
Mr Sheridan said his brother-inlaw was hugely safety conscious and never took risks while participating in mountain hiking or other outdoor activities and he always encouraged others to do likewise.
Mr Quinn, who was originally from Waterford, worked with Boston Scientific in Galway before taking up a position with the EU in Strasbourg.
He had taken part in the Castlebar International Walking Festival every year for the past 30 years.
Nicholas swam for Ireland in the 2016 Olympics and is studying at the University of Edinburgh.
Friends said the 24-year-old, like all his siblings, was devoted to his late dad.
They added Mr Quinn instilled in Nicholas a love of swimming from an early age.
No funeral arrangements have yet been made but is it understood Mr Quinn’s remains will be flown back to Ireland in the coming days.
John was an avid walker. A rescue team arrived but it was too late
PETER SHERIDAN