By Ntando Ncube
The Zimbabwe Times
January 25, 2010
http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=26925
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| Paul Verryn |
A GROUP of South Africans and hordes of peoples from other parts of the world on Sunday resumed fighting against the treatment of suspended Central Methodist Church (CMC) bishop Paul Verryn using social media by launching the “Friends of Paul Verryn” camping on face book.
According to a statement circulated by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the campaign is aimed at raising support for him during his ordeal.
Verryn a well- known friend of desperate African immigrants, mostly Zimbabweans in South Africa was suspended from his position in the church on Thursday.
”Paul Verryn is being “dealt with” for trying to help the Zimbabweans. He is being hung out to dry by the Methodist Church that he served for so long. Paul Verryn is a Christian person who walks the Christian walk”, reads part of a statement released over the weekend.
“He did not turn away those in need. Other doors were closed, while his was open.
Paul Verryn exercises the Option for the Poor. He is a liberation theologist in action.”
The Johannesburg church offers refuge to more than 3 000 immigrants from across Africa with the bulk of them being Zimbabweans who continue to flock to the sanctuary, fleeing their home country because of hunger and economic hardships.
Verryn has been at the centre of controversy involving the situation of women and children at the church in central Johannesburg. Last year the bishop approached the courts seeking that a curator be appointed for minors living at the church.
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa said Verryn acted unilaterally in launching the application. The church said it only allowed the presiding bishop or the church’s general secretary to bring an application before a court.
“What the Bishop has done to welcome people with nowhere to go – is just awesome I am near the church quite a bit, and I’m really thankful for what the Bishop has done and continues to do. Full support to you!!! Please let me know if I can help – am willing to go to meetings etc” a face book fan called Anne posted
Another fan Penny Foley said: “The work that Paul does is remarkable and he has always done it. And he will always do it. He is absolutely driven by God towards love for the poor. It appears that in Johannesburg at the moment the poor, the displaced and the homeless have become extremely threatening to those who are in power”.
Verryn has been embroiled in a wrangle with the Gauteng government which accuses him of refusing to cooperate with social workers who wanted to move children from the church premises to proper homes and shelters.
Mark Spyke said: “For years people have tried to undermine Paul with innuendo without success. I am currently on a committee which he chairs (Church Unity Commission Central Committee), and I can personally vouch for him as a man of great integrity, courage, intelligence, and godliness. The actual charges below are laughable”.
Verryn faces charges of breaching the rules of the Methodist Church in South Africa (MCSA).
His disciplinary hearing is scheduled to take place on February 01.
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