The Leaders of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (Igreja Universal do Reino, a.k.a "stop suffering") in Brazil, are facing charges of laundering millions of dollars of church members' donations. Brazilian media reports indicate that public prosecutors in Sao Paulo revealed on September 12 that church leaders tranfered approximately 404 million Brazilian reals (about US $254 million or 150 million British pounds), donated to the church between 2003 and 2006, out of Brazil through money changers and offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands and Jersey Island.
Among the church officials charged are the church’s founder Bishop Edir Macedo and financial director Alba Maria Silva da Costa. The UKGC was founded by Macedo in 1977. Prosecutors fear that the sum garnered by the UKGC may actually higher than that currently alleged to have been laundered. As for the UKGC, a statement rejected the accusations and declared "We cannot talk about something we know nothing about." Furthermore, the church statement said "But from what we can tell through the media, these are the same old accusations … that have always been shown to be untrue.”
According to Prosecutor Luis Martins de Oliveira, the UCKG leaders made “… false promises and threats that spiritual and economic assistance would only be bestowed upon those who made financial sacrifices for the church. UCKG church leaders promise their followers divine assistance in return for donations. The church pastors tell adherents that God showers his blessings only on those who give, and according to Mario Justino, former pastor of the church in Brazil, superiors instruct church pastors to tell church members that if they don't give, "God [will] not look at your problems." According to the God Discussion website, when allegations of money laundering against UCKG leaders began making rounds in Brazil, Bishop Macedo told his followers to go on a "media fast" for spiritual advancement, a move watchers said was a tactic to distract followers from "bad press."
Analysts of the activities of the "prosperity megapastors" and "prosperity megachurches" operating among the poor in developing countries have repeatedly expressed concern about the level of extortion activities of these churches. The UKGC was founded in northern Rio of Brazil, today claims a worldwide congregation of 8 million followers. It promotes a "prosperity theology" – through which committed believers are told their faith and generous donations can grant them material wealth. Claims have circulated that church donations have provided a luxurious lifestyle for church leaders. Adherents still pack the UKGC pews: the church owns one of Brazil's top media outlets, as well as temples in Europe, the US, Africa and Asia.
Bishop Macedo’s blog is written in English, French, Spanish, and his native Portuguese. Some media reports suggest he enjoys a personal fortune exceeding US$2 billion (1.3 billion British pounds). He has lauded petroleum magnate John D. Rockefeller as "the US's first billionaire" who acquired a fortune even most vast than that of Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. Macedo also credited Rockefeller as a generous benefactor of the UKGC.
Among Macedo’s projects is the planned replica of Solomon's Temple in São Paulo that is thought to cost nearly US$200 million. The mega-church will have room for 10,000 worshippers and feature a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. The UKGC has opened a church in Houston TX and has featured performances by Cristiane Cardoso – singer, evangelist, author, and UKGC personality.
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