Brazilians accused of racism in SA church

A storm is brewing at the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, with South African pastors accusing their Brazilian bishop of racism, discrimination and favouring Portuguese pastors.

At least 50 pastors have left the church since the end of 2008 and some of those who have left say there are hundreds of others who are too afraid to leave because they have no financial backing.

In February, a large group of unhappy pastors sent a letter to the founder of the church, Bishop Edir Masedo, spelling out the discrimination they have been subjected to, but they have not received a response to their complaints.

Despite undertakings from the UCKG's press office that they would respond to the allegations on Friday, they failed to return questions sent to them.

This week, Pastor Frans Nkabande and two other pastors, one of whom has recently left and another who plans to leave, said the church was a "trap".

The church, which originates in Brazil, was brought to South Africa in 1992.

There are around 800 African pastors and 300 Brazilian pastors, and the church is believed to have one of the biggest church followings in South Africa.

The aggrieved pastors have raised allegations of forced vasectomies for the pastors, racism, pay discrepancies, severe humiliation and intimidation.

Nkabande said: "At first you don't worry about these things because you think you are busy with the work of the Lord. But this discrimination has been ongoing for a while.

"There is no leave, no time to see your extended family. You work from 5.30am until 8pm every day. They pay for your accommodation.

"You are not allowed to have any training not authorised by the church and are not allowed to have a separate savings account. They say you shouldn't be attached to material possessions and that these are sacrifices for the work of God."

There have also been allegations of dismissals without the pastors being notified.

The pastors are also questioning "adulterous pastors" who have not been disciplined, and some Brazilian pastors who they claim have stolen money, but have not been dismissed.

"They are not dismissed or disciplined. The South African pastors, on the other hand, are humiliated in front of the entire range of pastors for their wrongdoings. Punishment is not for Brazilian pastors, only for us," said another pastor, who did not want to be named.

"We have worked so hard to make this church and now they are getting all the advantages," added the third pastor, who did not want to be identified.

Other allegations are that families are not informed of pastors' deaths. And while African pastors are given the bare minimum to attend funerals of their close relatives, the Brazilian pastors receive all-expenses-paid returns home that have amounted to up to R20 000, local pastors claim.

Another of their grievances is salary discrepancies between the pastors.

Young Brazilian pastors allegedly receive more than married South African pastors who have been involved in the ministry for many years.

And the wives and widows of the pastors are treated differently.

Pastors are forced to pay the Association of Bishops and Pastors R330 each fortnight. They are told that it is a form of medical aid, but if they become ill, they have no access to these funds and are told to get quotes from doctors.

South African wives are called "volunteers" while the Brazilian wives are given salaries.

Widows of Brazilian pastors are looked after and stay in the church's homes, while the South African widows have to find their own accommodation and get menial jobs, the local pastors allege.

There are very few African pastors put in positions of leadership while the Brazilian pastors progress despite the language barrier, they add.

• This article was originally published on page 3 of The Star on March 14, 2009