BishopAccountability.org
	N.M. Sect Leader Fasting for Child's Return Associated Press, carried in Las Cruces Sun-News June 9, 2008 http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_9529467 CLAYTON, N.M.—The leader of an apocalyptic sect who is accused of sex crimes against underage female followers now says he's fasting to clear his heart and mind. Wayne Bent, who heads The Lord Our Righteousness Church, began a fast Friday to force the state to release a teenage girl taken from the group's compound near Clayton. He has vowed to not eat until state child welfare workers return the girl. The state Children, Youth and Families Department removed two teenage girls and a boy in late April after allegations against Bent. Bent, 67, who calls himself Michael Travesser, has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He has acknowledged having sex with followers and lying naked with virgins, but denies anyone was molested. Bent, in a posting Monday addressed to "the Children of God" on the group's Web site, said his fast "is not intended to force the beast to do anything. I know that psychopaths cannot repent. ... What my fast is for is to clear my heart and mind for my continual petition to the throne of God. I come before my Father with constant prayers that justice will be served and His purposes established. I want the beast to burn and those with his mark to burn with him." In a posting Friday, Bent said he wants a teen he identified as Willow returned to her parents. He said he decided on "fasting and prayer rather than continue to spar with the insane." Bent alleged Friday that Willow was stressed and being mentally abused in state custody. While being held in the Colfax County jail last month, Bent refused to eat or drink for a couple of days. CYFD spokeswoman Romaine Serna has said she could not comment on the case due to a gag order imposed by the judge. According to an e-mail from Bent's son, Jeff Bent, state District Judge John Paternoster on Friday denied a request for an emergency hearing on the teen's custody. In Monday's posting, Bent wrote: "There are NO human rights here, and NO freedom of religion. There is also NO freedom of speech as the beast frantically tries to hold onto his captives. ... We are facing the demon possessed."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.