Controversial Brazilian church seeks Belfast worship site

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), a Brazilian-based religious organization, has submitted plans to Belfast City Council to establish a place of worship at Equality House in the Donegall Pass area. The UCKG, founded in 1977 by Bishop Edir Macedo, claims to have over 12 million members worldwide. The church emphasizes financial contributions, requiring members to tithe 10% of their income, which it describes as an ancient practice belonging to God.

According to Forbes magazine, Bishop Macedo has become a billionaire through the church’s operations. The UCKG has faced criticism from various sources, including a 1997 report by the Belgian Parliament, which labeled the church a “dangerous cult” and accused it of seeking to enrich itself through religious merchandising. The report described the organization as an “extreme form of religious merchandising.”

The UCKG has also encountered issues with advertising standards. In 1997, the Advertising Standards Authority banned a poster that claimed symptoms like headaches and depression were caused by demons. In 2009, another poster was banned for asserting that “blessed oil” could cure heart problems. These incidents highlight the organization’s controversial marketing practices.

The UCKG operates several “HelpCentres” in England, registered as a charity with an annual income of £15m, and has a small presence in the Republic of Ireland. However, it does not have a permanent base in Northern Ireland. The church’s activities have extended beyond financial and advertising concerns.

In 2000, the UCKG was linked to the death of 8-year-old Victoria Climbie in London, which remains one of the UK’s worst child abuse cases. Victoria was taken to a UCKG center for an exorcism by her great-aunt, Marie Therese Kouao, who was later convicted of her murder. Although the church was cleared of wrongdoing, the Charity Commission recommended the implementation of child protection policies.

In December of the previous year, Portugal’s Attorney General’s Office initiated an inquiry into alleged illegal adoptions arranged by a center associated with the UCKG. A seven-month investigation by a Portuguese TV station alleged that at least ten Portuguese children were involved in such practices. These developments underscore the ongoing scrutiny the UCKG faces in various jurisdictions.

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