TEMA : Pastor asked to step aside

The administrator of the Trinity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church at Tema Community 4, Ms Doris Sobre, who was cited in an alleged sex scandal, has been asked to proceed on leave with immediate effect.

The administrator was alleged to be involved in illicit amorous relationships with senior presbyters of the church, as well as the session clerk. She is also alleged to have engaged some women in the church in open fights.

According to Joy News’ sources at the church, the action was taken against Ms Sobre to pave the way for investigations into the allegations levelled against her.

The church is yet to take any punitive action against the District Pastor of the church, Rev. Kissiedu Ayi, for failing to act as “a responsible minister” when her unyielding attitude was brought to his attention.

The pastor was accused of shielding Ms Sobre, although countless allegations had been lodged against her by church members.

Public Relations Officer of the Church, Emmanuel Acheampong, says preliminary investigations show there was a “high level of negligence” on the part of the district pastor and his deputy.

“According to the report we generated yesterday (Wednesday), the committee carried out its work, it presented the work to the Minister, [but] he failed to take punitive action against the lady in question, which went a long way to affirm the allegation that he is shielding the woman.”

He noted that when Ms Sobre was invited by the committee that investigated her behaviour, she had “the guts to say that she will not appear before the committee”.

“We don’t tolerate that [indiscipline] in our Presbyterian system,” Mr Acheampong opined.

He said the committee will meet those involved in the allegations again, on one-on-one, for further interrogation on Sunday, after the whole congregation has been addressed on the matter.

He said since the church does not tolerate discrimination, an “interim decision” has been taken against the presbyters involved, but would not make the decision public for now.

AMA