A major international symposium has taken place to respond to the issues surrounding the abuse of children in a number of “rogue churches” in the African community, 22nd May 2006, at Methodist Central Hall, London.

|PIC1|The aim of the symposium, entitled ‘Christianity or the Occult? Emerging Trends in the African Diaspora’ was to “create an environment which will foster better understanding of the African-derived church, as well as emerging spiritual trends in Britain,” said Agu Irukwu, Senior Pastor of Jesus House in Barnet, North London.

Irukwu added, “We feel this is much needed in light of recent shocking publicity about the harming of children in African ‘churches’, which threaten to stereotype us all.”

Across Britain, the African churches are the fastest growing sector of Christianity, but as these churches have experienced huge growth, it has been reported that other entirely separate beliefs are present in the UK, which “masquerade as Christianity and prey on the most alienated and isolated members of society,” tells the BBC.

The BBC also explains how many parts of London with large African populations are regularly leafleted by traditional “spiritual healers”, who proclaim they are doctors and professors, and profess themselves as being able to defeat black magic.

These “healers” divert away from core Christian teachings, and some even present themselves as bona fide Christian leaders in order to gain the respect and trust of vulnerable members of the community.

Speaking at the symposium was Angus Stickler, an investigative reporter from the BBC, who has been at the forefront of the coverage of the issue, and is best known for his award winning investigations into the north Wales child abuse scandals and for exposing alleged cover-ups within the Catholic Church.

|PIC2|Stickler told delegates, “It is a highly charged and sensitive issue, and only through dialogue can we gain insight into the scale of the problem.”

He told how “more than 20” separate cases had been found of child abuse due to accusations of possession and witchcraft.

“They fervently believe the children to be possessed,” he said, and more so, their beliefs are confirmed by so-called religious leaders and pastors.

However, he added: “We do not know the scale of the problem.”

Dennis Tongoi, the African Region Director of Church Mission Society, spoke out against those committing acts of abuse against children in the name of God.

Calling for a distinguishment to be made, Tongoi told how some of the rogue churches and pastors did not even own a Bible, let alone read its teachings.

“Any ministry that harms people and calls itself Christian, is not Christian!” he declared.

He explained how many of the trouble establishments hadn’t built their faith on the Bible, but instead brought out a lot of their own traditional values.

|TOP|“Faith in God does not need physical violence. Faith in God is sufficient,” Tongoi said.

He called upon churches and the government to “not only condemn this (the child abuse) and speak up on this, but on all violence to children, and provide the love and support vulnerable children need.”

The London symposium also heard Constantia Pennie, Chair of the Children and Youth Commission of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) tell delegates that the problem must be tackled with unity amongst all involved.

In 2005, reports emerged that revealed how a number of African “preachers” were abusing, and in extreme cases sacrificing children in secret exorcism ceremonies in the UK.

However, now one year after the reports, Jesus House, one of the leading black majority churches in Britain, has called on the government to reveal the extent of the problem – or risk damaging community relations, in particular within the African community.

|AD|The British government has carried out research into the extent of the ritual abuse of children, but the findings are yet to be made public, despite promises made to do so four months ago.

The “missing report”, commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) last year, was due to be published in February, but even though the project only received funding for a 3 month period, a spokesperson for the DFES said this week, “We have no firm publication date.”

Irukwu said that uncertainty over the allegations, combined with the absence of the government's findings, is undermining an entire community that now feels labelled child abusers.

Irukwu said, “It is extremely important to have this research published. We don’t know the truth and real extent of what we are dealing with, and rumours are beginning to circulate.”

The Pastor, who is also Chairman of the largest denomination African-derived Pentecostal churches in Britain, continued, “We are concerned that unless the government handles this wisely, it could in fact drive a wedge between black-majority churches and the wider society, particularly when the newer churches are beginning to make their contribution in addressing some of society’s problems.”

Calling for the government to consult with the black churches more effectively, Irukwu said, “We know it is an immensely difficult position of responsibility, and we want to share that responsibility in order to help them get things right.”