HAILED as an “auspicious and historic event”, Philbert London of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara was on Sunday inaugurated as what the Beacon Ministries called “the first Black Pope in the Caribbean”.The investiture ceremony, held at the Ocean View Conference Centre, was attended by followers and well-wishers of the Beacon Ministries, who sang praises and even danced to celebrate the achievement of His Highness, Pope Emanuel.

Pope Emanuel was described as a multi-talented, prosperous, dynamic and erudite preacher; a miracle worker; a church-planter, teacher and motivational speaker.
In his younger days, the Pope reportedly did a one-year stint in the Guyana Police Force; played scrabble, monopoly, table tennis, and lifted weights to enhance his physique.

Formerly referred to as the Right Reverend Archbishop Philbert London, “the Messenger of God in Guyana”, he received his instruments of office at about 15:55 hrs on Sunday, to much cheers from a happy gathering. Proceedings were slated to start at 14:00 hrs, but started an hour later.

Minutes after the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the location, the band and trumpet blared “Pom! Popa! Pom!” then two men dressed in regal purple ropes emerged from a room at the northern side of the building and, instead of going to take up their seats at the head table, they took up seats next to the receptionist, who sat close to the entrance of the centre.

The two, whom this newspaper later learned were Bishops, crossed their feet, folded their arms, chatted and chillaxed for about 20 minutes before exiting the centre to await the arrival of London.

And at 14:57 hrs, the quietude was interrupted by a loud shout of “All rise!”

LOOKING DAPPER
Looking dapper dressed in a white rope, and smiling broadly, London descended on the conference centre. The trumpets blared again, and the bands began to play to mark his arrival. He followed his Bishops, who led the way to the stage, and when he reached there, he reclined in his wooden chair, painted in gold and flanked by the Golden Arrowhead on the left and the Stars and Stripes, the flag of the Unites States, on the right.

The speakers who took to the podium hailed London as a “great man”. “Daniel has come!” shouted one. “Thanks to God, He made it happen!” another screamed. “God reigns over Guyana, and awesome things will happen!” yet another declared.

When this was done, it was time for a song to praise the Lord. The song was ‘Dare to be Daniel’, but the item had to be pushed back, as the lead singer was still getting dressed even though the programme had started an hour late.

But though the actual singing of the song was shifted down the programme, a recording of the song was played, and it bit the congregation. The young moved energetically to the music while the old violently shook their fragile bodies.

The young female master of ceremonies heaped praise on the rendition, but also strangely remarked that she likes to “wine” on the song.

With the song out of its original slot, the programme moved to tithing, and one of the Bishops declared that “… giving into your bosom, brings a release”, “people who give always receive”, and “givers never lose”.

The message struck a chord with some members of the gathering, who rushed to the stage to deposit their contributions in one of several brown baskets that were available.

The little sermon by the Bishop enlivened the congregation, and the entertainment continued with a passionate and energetic rendition of the song “Let Jehovah reign!” which had the audience dancing and waving. The song was composed by His Holiness himself.

When the excitement had subsided, it was time for the witnesses to the Papal Call to take the podium; and the first to do so was Bishop Joseph De Cunha. He told the audience that during a conversation with a pastor of the Beacon Ministries in 2011, there was a brief pause, and the Lord told him that he was “going to promote Archbishop London to Pope”.

According to Bishop De Cunha, he never found himself in a position like that before, and so, as it was said, it was done on Sunday.

Bishop Jippy Doyle of Barbados, who next took to the podium, declared in a baritone voice: “Histoooooory” is being witnessed on a wonderful day, contending that London is both a “gentleman” and “a genius”.

A GREAT PREDICATOR
But it was Bishop Guy Griffith who drew the most “wows” from the gathering. Hailing Pope London as an outstanding son of God, he said the man had predicted many things before they happened.

He related that in 2011, London had predicted that Guyana would get a young President, and soon after, “Bharrat Jagan” emerged as leader of the land.

Bishop Griffith insisted before the audience that he was telling them the “truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth!”
Mr Bharrat Jagdeo became President of Guyana on August 11, 1999.

Bishop Griffith also claimed that London had predicted that then Opposition Leader David Granger would become President, and the prediction turned out to be accurate.

Whether this account is factual or fictional, it probably did not matter to the audience, some of whom whispered to one another “Wow! What a man!”

ALLEGED MIRACLES
London’s alleged miracles read like the stuff told at a storytelling event. According to his followers, his miracles include predicting the 2005 floods; the bombing of the twin towers; giving Guyana rains when droughts were predicted between 1994 and 2004; causing Hurricane Erika to turn into cool breeze over St Lucia in 1997; giving Guyana a righteous Government in 2013, restoring the Garden City in 2013, significantly reducing domestic violence in 2015, and causing a dent in suicide cases in 2015; causing persons to get visas to the US; blessing barren women, causing them to get pregnant; and dismissing court cases.

One member in the gathering told this newspaper that “London can be of great help to former President Leader Bharrat Jagdeo!” It has been reported that the now Opposition Leader is interested in another term in office, and is hoping that any challenge against it will be thrown out by the court.

But those are not all of Pope London’s alleged miracles. He also helped a man, Brother Ivan, whose confidence had been deflated by his swollen testicles. According to a booklet prepared by the Pope’s followers, Brother Ivan reportedly said, “I had to make a strap to keep around my waist and support my testicles in order to prevent the swelling from becoming visible to others; but three to four months ago, the strap became too small…. During July 2009, I heard Dr London on his television programme, ‘Revelation and Power’, advertise a free anointed cloth that could be used for whatever miracle you desire. I promptly phoned in for one. I received my cloth on 22nd of July. After applying the cloth, I experienced a fantastic thing! A hole appeared at the bottom of the swollen testicle and I began to bleed!

“Thick bloody stuff began to pour out of the hole, enough I estimate to half-fill a five-gallon bucket! The swelling went down completely, and I am convinced that it was the anointing that created the hole and started my healing.”

This alleged miracle was certified by Bishop Cockfield and several others.

The “historic” and “auspicious” event, according to the programme, was supposed to be addressed by President David Granger, but the President reportedly had other pressing engagements to attend to.