Dear Editor,

The recent sex scandal of self-styled Pope Emanuel sets a very bad example to the Christian community, and men of the cloth and even those from other religions.

Just two weeks ago, when I was at church on a Sunday morning service, a few of my members approached me and told me about the sex tape of this pope circulating on Facebook and in the media. I didn’t respond to it, because I didn’t see it in the media.

When I came back home and opened my Facebook page I saw the tape, and after many glimpses of it, I could not bear to look at it. I was flabbergasted, and am still wondering if those tapes are authentic. Then I started to read in the newspapers about this pope who has fallen from grace, and I saw his story on television.

I don’t know a great deal about this self-proclaimed pope, but I saw him a few times on television with a next guy he calls Bishop Griffith. My first observation about this pope — which bothers my mind — was the number of titles he has behind his name. He was formerly referred to as the Right Reverend Archbishop Dr. Philbert London “the Messenger of God in Guyana”; now His Highness, Pope Emmanuel.
Immanuel (Hebrew: meaning, “God with us” tells me clearly that this man has taken on a divine name, claiming some sort of divinity. I am also captivated by the expensive way he dresses, and the companions he has. Very few men of God can afford such luxury attires.

I took some time off to listen to his preaching and teachings on television, and discovered his doctrine is diametrically opposed to Christian Theology and the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I heard him say that people can drink, smoke, fornicate, or they can commit any kind of sin and still go to heaven, as long as they say they believe on Jesus Christ. That’s completely false when compared to Jesus’s teachings. It’s no wonder he has many educated supporters, because people today like churches that do not preach against sin and lawless living, so they think they can live how they like and still go to heaven.

Jesus said the following in Matthew 15: 19-20: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts — murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
Here we see Jesus Himself address immoral living, so how can this so-called pope preach his own diabolical gospel to deceive his flock and our nation?

Here is another verse contained in the Bible: ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love for the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father, but from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)

The Christian faith is about Holy and decent living. Our moral and spiritual standards are set very high, but Satan used one cult leader to stain the names of good men and women of God in Guyana, and to bring shame, disgrace and reproach to the body of Christ.

The doctrine of grace this pope preaches is diametrically opposed to biblical teachings. In simple terms, he tells us to live how we like, then throw all our sins on Christ’s shoulder, while we ourselves do nothing about our integrity, morality and character. The end of Christian teaching is about good conduct and character. It’s no wonder God exposed him.

Not very long ago, a Muslim priest and scholar visited my home to ask me if the doctrine this pope preaches — a vile lifestyle — is what Christ taught us. My answer to him was NO. “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1Timothy 3:14-15)

We, as church leaders, ought to know how to conduct ourselves in the house of God. For example, as Ministers of the Gospel, we must counsel and advise members with our wives, husbands, and other elders around, so we won’t be vulnerable to accusations; because people who are prominent in the religious and secular world are always under scrutiny by the media, so we ought to be watchful.

A religious leader must not drive alone with a female member of his church, nor counsel a female alone in a closed office. I believe offices should have glass doors where counselling and prayers are done. Jesus warned us in His Word that false prophets and people like this so-called pope will come. Here are the words of Jesus: “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24: 11, 24)

Regards,
REV. GIDEON CECIL