Mexico church holds mass baptism despite leader's sex crimes scandal
BY GABRIEL SERNA (AFP) 2 HOURS AGO
Mexican Pentecostal church the Light of the World is in crisis, its leader facing pedophilia charges, but that has not stopped thousands of people from around the world traveling to its headquarters to be immersed in a giant baptismal pool.
The leader of the controversial church, Naason Joaquin Garcia, was arrested in Los Angeles in June on sex crimes charges, including child rape.
Joaquin, who claims to be the last apostle of Jesus, and three co-defendants are accused of coercing minor girls into performing sexual acts by telling them that going against his wishes would be going against God.
But if the scandal has diminished the fervor of the five million members the church claims worldwide, there is no sign of it at the Light of the World's annual gathering this week at its headquarters in Mexico's second city, Guadalajara.
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http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/mexico-church-holds-mass-baptism-despite-leader-s-sex-crimes-scandal/article/555847
Naason Joaquin Garcia
Naason Joaquin Garcia, in the slammer
