Mexican megachurch chief convicted of kid intercourse abuse addresses fiercely loyal congregation from jail

The chief of a Mexican megachurch convicted of sexual abuse and baby molestation addressed his fiercely loyal congregation from jail by telephone.

Naason Joaquin Garcia, 53, chief of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch, is taken into account by his 5 million followers to be an "apostle" to Jesus Christ regardless of the accusations towards him, in line with the Related Press. He was arrested in California in 2019 below suspicion of over 20 counts of kid sexual abuse, human trafficking, and baby pornography, although most expenses had been dropped when Garcia accepted a plea deal for decreased time. Going through 16 years in a U.S. jail for the admitted sexual abuse of minors, the non secular chief stays the top of his huge congregation, lately addressing them by jail telephone behind bars.

MEXICAN MEGACHURCH LEADER SENTENCED TO OVER 16 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

“I don't see the bars that separate me from you,” he advised his followers, the report stated. “I see your stunning faces ... as a result of you're the kids of God.”

He later requested his followers to boost their fingers and chant, "I promise you, Lord, that regardless of the struggling, I'll by no means abandon you."

1000's of his followers gathered in the primary temple in Guadalajara to listen to his latest deal with, with throngs of worshipers extending out to the road to listen to him. Many had been reported to have damaged into tears upon listening to his voice. The church members preserve his innocence.

“I believe it modified for the higher within the sense that now we really feel extra united, and we really feel extra empowered,” one church member advised the outlet, talking of his conviction. “It has been a really troublesome situation, in fact, for him and for us. All of us undergo one thing in life, however one learns to know these moments the place you see that God is doing one thing that can assist you, to get forward, to not allow you to fall.”

The church maintains that Garcia is harmless and solely needed to take a plea deal for a lesser sentence as a result of proof towards him was doctored by the corrupt authorized system.

“The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no alternative however to just accept with a lot ache that the settlement introduced is one of the best ways ahead to guard the church and his household,” the church stated, in line with the outlet.

5 of Garcia's victims testified in court docket, utilizing anonymity to guard themselves from backlash, and referred to as him “evil,” a “monster,” “disgusting human waste,” and the “antichrist” of their testimony.

He's stated to have used faith to justify his abuse, telling the ladies they confronted everlasting damnation in the event that they resisted.

“I worshiped my abuser,” his niece advised the court docket. “He used me over and over like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter.”

The victims had been outraged to listen to of the plea deal, believing it was far too lenient.