Scandals Taint Ugandan Born-again Churches
By Aidah Nanyonjo |
Sunday Vision | Saturday, 18th April, 2009
THE born-again Church has gone through many scandals in the past two years. Many pastors have featured in the media in a negative light, while others have been reported to the Police over allegations ranging from sexual crimes and embezzlement to child abuse and witchcraft.
A police officer displays a magnetic device a certain pastor was allegedly using to make his congregation believe they had been struck by the Holy Spirit
These have left many people wondering about the future of mankind, while others think the world might be coming to an end.
Some pastors are accused of living a luxurious life at the expense of their flock. Many people are desperate and want practical solutions to their problems and in Pentecostal churches, they find consolation. But some wicked pastors take advantage of that to fleece them of their money.
There have also been accusations and counter accusations about witchcraft and sodomy. In running their ministries and related businesses, some pastors disregard basic laws and end up in trouble. Their reputations are soiled by such incidents when reported by journalists.
According to Pastor Martin Ssempa of Makerere Community Church, whatever is happening in the born-again Church shows God’s anger in that He has sent wind to sift the husks from the good seeds. “This mix of wolves and sheep was only waiting to explode,” he says.
“This is not hatred towards born-again Christians as some pastors allege; this is God’s mission to clean up his Church. There are many people who pretend to be pastors yet they are wolves in sheep’s skin,” Ssempa said.
Scandals Taint Ugandan Born-again Churches 