LAST MOMENTS: Bishop Paul Verryn’s tenure as bishop is all but over.
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BISHOP Paul Verryn of the Central Methodist Church will continue helping refugees – despite hanging up his bishop’s robes at the end of this month.
Verryn says that nothing, not even the government, will stop him from helping Zimbabwean refugees and other destitute people living in Johannesburg.
Bishop Peter Witbooi will replace Verryn who has served his tenure of 10 years as bishop.
“They may close this place down but we will not stop. They can blame me and justify it but I will not apologise,” Verryn said.
He was speaking to Sowetan after a “threatening” visit by the Gauteng health and social development portfolio committee chairperson Molebatsi Bopape last week.
Bopape said last Friday: “If I could have it my way, I would close it down today.”
Verryn said: “People are not like sacks of potatoes that can be moved around at will.
“It is about time the South African government recognises that people will keep coming into the country until the economic and political problems in Zimbabwe are recognised and dealt with.”
On the allegations of sexual abuse of women and children at the cathedral, he said the matter was being dealt with by the church – in full cooperation with the relevant law enforcement bodies.
“That was a rumour started by someone who had a vendetta against me and I have since kicked that person out of the building,” the bishop said.
He also said social workers who visited the church refused to communicate with him.
“I, as the person at the head of all this, am in the dark. And Bopape’s office is still to communicate with me.
“Local government officials are not telling me anything on their plans.”
How the church is funded
ORGANISATIONS funding or helping the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg are:
The United Methodist Committee on Relief – R760889 a year for utilities and R258665 for the church-run school.
South African Airways – R250000.
Dutch government: R250000.
Unnamed individual gives Verryn R15000 in cash regularly.
Pick n Pay’s Raymond Ackerman has given R20000.
SA Methodist Volunteers In Mission, Rhema, Jewish Board of Deputies, Media Works, Oxfam and Gift of the Givers have helped with clothing, blankets, food parcels, education and training for residents.
January to June the church spent R294928 on electricity and water.
R70000 on repairs.
Other costs: cleaning, insurance, telephone.
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