BishopAccountability.org
	Verryn to Fight on By Thabiso Thakali IOL January 23, 2010 http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=139&art_id=vn20100123073218228C985673 SOUTH AFRICA -- The battle lines have been drawn in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa over its shock decision this week to suspend controversial cleric Paul Verryn. Yesterday, the beleaguered bishop announced that he would not accept his surprise suspension, but would seek arbitration from the convener of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa for his superior's action. Verryn has been at the helm of the Central Methodist Church (CMC) in central Joburg, which provides shelter to more than 2 000 refugees - mainly Zimbabweans - who live in squalid and often dangerous conditions. The CMC has faced much criticism in the past few years over its inefficient housing of refugees and the social problems in the area around it. Verryn's very public suspension this week, coupled to the Church's unwillingness to disclose the charges, led to speculation that Verryn was linked to the allegations of sexual abuse of children at the CMC which surfaced in October. Instead, Verryn has been axed on two charges: for taking the initiative to have a court appoint a legal curator for the interest of the children last month, and for breaching a Church instruction not to speak to the media. The Legal Resources Centre (LRC), representing Verryn, slammed the Church yesterday for the way he was suspended. It said Verryn's senior, presiding bishop, Ivan Abrahams, had turned a matter between the two of them into a subject of speculation. "At this stage, Verryn contests the validity of his purported suspension. He also opposes the institution of disciplinary proceedings," said the LRC's Jason Brickhill. "Specific media reports have linked Verryn's suspension to allegations involving sexual abuse of persons living at the CMC. No attempt has been made by the presiding bishop or his legal representatives to correct this speculation. We express our concern that the dispute between Verryn and the presiding bishop threatens to detract from steps currently under way to safeguard the rights of the people who have sought refuge at the CMC." But the Church's legal representative, Bongani Khoza, said it was wrong for Verryn to suggest the matter was between himself and Abrahams. "The presiding bishop, as the officer of the Church, as the head, had to refer the matter to the district disciplinary registrar, Jeff Mathee, and the decision to charge Verryn came from the district," he said. "The presiding bishop had nothing to do with it. How he is now seen as having a personal vendetta against Verryn is mind-boggling." Meanwhile a prominent CMC member told the Saturday Star last night that the Methodist Church was assassinating Verryn's character and called on ordinary Methodists to rise up and challenge their church leadership. "When have you ever heard of a church publicly announcing the suspension of one of its ministers? In this case, the suspension was announced but then the authorities went coy on the exact charges, leading to innuendo and speculation. "It's evil and it plays into the public memory of the Stompie Seipei matter (when Verryn was accused but later exonerated of having indecently assaulted the boy)," Verryn's friend said. "The first charge relates to the court action to appoint an independent legal curator for these children. Paul was approached to act as the lead applicant by a whole group of concerned NGOs. It was all above board and transparent. Then the bishop got to hear of it and instructed Paul to remove himself as he couldn't involve the church. "Paul said this was into the case, but duly removed himself in any case. "His lawyers will prove this," she said. "My only hope is that the greater Methodist church will recognise the patent injustice and challenge the leadership of the church." Verryn's disciplinary inquiry is set for February 1.
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