Alabame Pastor Confesses to Sleeping With Members, Using Drugs, Abusing Money and HAVING AIDS

An Alabama pastor allegedly confessed to his congregation that he has AIDS, had slept with members of the church, used drugs and misused monies. Rev. Juan Demetrius McFarland of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery confirmed to NBC affiliate WSFA that he made the admissions in a series of sermons that began in September. Deacon Nathan Williams said the church membership voted to remove McFarland as pastor on Oct. 5, but he refused to step down.

Williams said his reaction to the disclosures was "disappointment and hurt...I never dreamed of anything like that." He said that the congregation's reaction to McFarland's initial disclosure that he was HIV-positive was concern for his health, but the sentiment changed when he admitted to misdeeds and then tried to appoint a new set of deacons. "He said he was in control and there was nothing we could do to stop him," Williams said.

Church leaders tried to change the locks on the door, but were confronted by McFarland and a supporter who declared they were banned from the premises and would face "castle law" if they tried to attend services, said the deacons' lawyer, Kenneth Shinbaum. "They're worried if they show up to church, they could get shot," he said. "Unless the pastor steps down voluntarily, this may very well end up in court."

McFarland, who has been pastor for 21 years, could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Montgomery Police Sgt. Denise Barnes said he is not under investigation because no one has made a complaint against McFarland; she said that in Alabama, spreading a sexually transmitted disease is a low-level misdemeanor.

SOURCE: NBC News

photo via christianpost.com