BishopAccountability.org
	A Dark Cloud Hangs over Verryn By Beauregard Tromp IOL January 22, 2010 http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20100122044252697C716186 A renowned former anti-apartheid cleric, Bishop Paul Verryn, has been suspended from the Methodist Church while the intelligence services are investigating various claims against him and the Joburg CBD mission. Church officials confirmed that the bishop, who was based in Orlando West, Soweto, and worked with, among others, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, had been suspended from all activities within the church, but refused to divulge details. The Gauteng Legislature called for the closure of the church after an inspection by a team headed by health and social development portfolio committee chairwoman Molebatsi Bopape. At the time, she blamed Verryn for creating "this mess" at the Central Methodist Church (CMC) in Pritchard Street. Late last year, Verryn was severely criticised by the presiding bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Ivan Abrahams, following his court battle with the government, resulting in the appointment of an independent curator for minors at the church, which has recently been rocked by a series of allegations of sexual abuse of children. "I'm deeply distressed that the bishop could have brought the application in the name of the church," Abrahams was quoted as saying in the Sowetan newspaper. Verryn had apparently been warned repeatedly to desist with the legal action, but failed to comply, leading to the disciplinary charges and temporary suspension. Abrahams is the only church official empowered to take legal action on behalf of the Methodist Church. "Bishop Verryn is not allowed to participate in activities of the Methodist Church pending the outcome of the hearing," said Methodist Church legal representative Bongani Khoza. The hearing is set for February 1. "Currently, a structure is being put in place to carry on with the day-to-day running of the church," said Khoza. Verryn's tenure as bishop for the region ended late last year, but a church conference appointed him as "superintendent minister" at the CMC. The CMC houses in excess of 2 000 refugees, the majority of whom are Zimbabweans. It has never been far from controversy, with a neighbouring legal firm instituted legal proceedings over the squatting and associated problems in front of their offices. The Star has confirmed that investigators identifying themselves as National Intelligence Agency agents have been delving into activities at the CMC and asking questions about Verryn. The National Prosecuting Authority is also proceeding with its investigation, which centres on the allegations of sexual abuse at the CMC. A number of girls removed from the church and taken to a place of safety alleged they were being sexually propositioned by teachers at the associated school. Most recently, boys too alleged there was a thriving sex and crime industry running from inside the church, with teenagers solicited and sometimes succumbing to the men making the overtures. The case of the endangered minors has seen Verryn, various government agencies and NGOs at loggerheads with each other, each accusing the other of failing to ensure the welfare of the children. In mid-December, Verryn, along with the Legal Resources Centre, won an interim interdict preventing the removal of any more children from the CMC. Verryn was not available for comment.
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