Sandra Chiefe
Moderator
The President of Cameroun, Paul Biya, has ordered the closure of nearly 100 Pentecostal churches in the country. He cited criminal practices organised by dishonest Pentecostal pastors that put the security of the West African nation at risk. But the pastors emphasise that the closure is really Biya’s reaction to the criticisms from the Pentecostal churches on President Biya’s leadership.
Nearly 500 Pentecostal churches are in operation in Cameroun, yet fewer than 50 are legal.
“We will get rid of all these so-called Pentecostal pastors who misuse the name of Jesus Christ to fake miracles and kill citizens in their churches. They have outstretched their liberty,” said Mbu Anthony Lang, a government official in a statement to CNN.
Last Sunday, a 9 year old girl had collapsed had died during a prayer session held for her in Winner’s Chapel, a Pentecostal church based in Bamenda. The prayer session had been held to cast out the demons that had reportedly been in control of the young girl’s life.
Boniface Tum, a Bishop of the Christian Church of God in Yaounde, said that Biya is becoming insecure about the freedom of speech within these churches.
Nearly 500 Pentecostal churches are in operation in Cameroun, yet fewer than 50 are legal.
“We will get rid of all these so-called Pentecostal pastors who misuse the name of Jesus Christ to fake miracles and kill citizens in their churches. They have outstretched their liberty,” said Mbu Anthony Lang, a government official in a statement to CNN.
Last Sunday, a 9 year old girl had collapsed had died during a prayer session held for her in Winner’s Chapel, a Pentecostal church based in Bamenda. The prayer session had been held to cast out the demons that had reportedly been in control of the young girl’s life.
Boniface Tum, a Bishop of the Christian Church of God in Yaounde, said that Biya is becoming insecure about the freedom of speech within these churches.
