Con-artsist Pentecostal pastor demanded woman's life savings and her crucifix to cure her pain

[Ian David]

Woman: Pastor demanded her crucifix

By Elaine Allegrini, Enterprise staff writer

BROCKTON — Angelina Baptista says her church pastor convinced her if she gave him her life savings — $6,000 — her pain would disappear. But when it came to the gold crucifix around her neck, Baptista said she drew the line.

A dispute erupted and now police are seeking a court complaint alleging the pastor, Ricardo Jorge Fernandes, pushed Baptista. He, in turn, is asking a court to bar Baptista and her husband from the church. her neck.

Baptista testified before Judge Frank Gaziano Wednesday that she gave the church $6,000 in December, believing her former pastor's claims that the donation would rid her of pain.

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The Universal Church, also known as the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, is a Brazil-based organization operating in Massachusetts as a New York corporation. There are millions of followers of the global pentecostal movement, according to Gaston Espinosa, assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies at Claremont McKenna College in California.

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In a separate case, Fernandes is due in Brockton District Court Aug. 8 to answer police allegations that he assaulted Angelina Baptista on June 11 at the church. That assault allegedly occurred after Baptista refused to give Fernandes her jewelry as he requested.


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[canetoad]

1. More noxious than your average fundies

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/investigations/inquiryreports/uckg.asp

Issues

3. In January 2001 officers in the Commission’s Investigation Division were alerted by media and press interest in UCKG following the death of Victoria (Anna) Climbié.

4. The Commission’s own evaluation highlighted other issues concerning UCKG’s activities. These included the manner in which the congregation is encouraged to donate money, its relationship with sister churches elsewhere in the world, particularly with the sister churches in Brazil and Portugal, and the payment of remuneration or salaries to Pastors or Deacons of UCKG whilst they acted as charity trustees. There were also reports in the media that UCKG claimed to be able to cure many physical ailments including cancer. The Commission was also concerned about UCKG’s involvement with a commercial radio station - Liberty Radio. These concerns resulted in the opening of a formal Inquiry under Section 8 into the affairs of the UCKG on 4 April 2001.

5. The aims of the Inquiry were to:

* Establish what, if any, policy UCKG had to deal with vulnerable people attending its services and other events;
* Establish the nature of the relationship between UCKG and its sister churches elsewhere in the world, in particular Brazil and Portugal;
* Determine the levels of control exercised by the trustees over UCKG’s affairs especially over any funds it donates to its sister churches;
* Establish the basis and legal advice on which the trustee body included deacons or pastors who were in receipt of remuneration;
* Establish, as far as the Commission is able to, if reports in the media about UCKG claiming to be able to perform miracles or heal individuals suffering from illnesses such as cancer were true;
* Establish the nature of the relationship between UCKG and Liberty Radio, if any; and
* If necessary, advise the trustees on their responsibilities and duties.

More at link. They also have a 'Business Advice Unit' for all you potential investors.