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abujagirl
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Paul Biya, President of Cameroon has ordered the closure of nearly 100 Christian churches in key cities.
The reasons cited of the closures are criminal practices organized by Pentecostal pastors that threaten the security of Cameroon.
"We will get rid of all the so-called Christian Pentecostal pastors who misuse the name of Jesus Christ to fake miracles and kill citizens in their churches. They have outstretched their liberty," Mbu Anthony Lang, a government official in Bamenda
On Sunday, a 9-year-old girl collapsed and died during a prayer and deliverance session in Winners' Chapel, a Pentecostal church in Bamenda. The girl's mother, Mih Theresa, said the pastor intended to cast out the numerous demons that were in control of her daughter's life.
"I want the government to stop these pastors who use mysterious powers to pull Christians and kill then for more powers. All my children have ran away from the Catholic Church in search for miracles, signs and wonders," she told reporters while holding back tears.
Government officials also say that some pastors convince congregants that they do not need professional medical treatment for their ailments.
"How can a pastor say the sick needs no medical doctor? We need sanity in our Christian lives," Nyang Blaise, a youth leader for Biya's ruling party, CPDM.
The Pentecostal pastors however, claim the move is due to Biya's insecurity about the churches' criticism of his government.
More than 50 churches have now been closed, with the government targeting nearly 100 in eight other regions.
On Wednesday, Pastors marched against the government's decision in Bamenda and Douala.
Boniface Tum, a bishop of the Christian Church of God in Yaounde, said that Biya, who has been president since 1982, is becoming insecure about the freedom of speech within these churches.
"Authorizing only the Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Muslim, and a few other churches, is a strict violation of the right to religion," Tum added.
Targeted Pentecostal Christians in Bamenda are now transforming their private homes into churches.
