Last year, the remote village
of Samunge, Tanzania saw thousands flocking to
receive the herbal brew purported to cure any ailment from diabetes to cancer
to HIV/AIDS. The “cup of Babu” is the
supposed divinely-inspired concoction of retired Lutheran pastor, Ambilikile
Masapila. At the height of his popularity,
the tiny village was dangerously overwhelmed by the influx of pilgrims
seeking his faith-cure, reportedly attracting thousands each day creating a threat of food shortage in the area and a public sanitation crisis. Over 116 people died while seeking or after
receiving the herbal formula. Nevertheless, ELCT Bishop, Thomas Laizer of the
North Central Diocese, was a most enthusiastic supporter of Babu’s cup of
miracles.
In a public statement regarding the controversial panacea (facing criticism from skeptics in both the medical and religious community), Bishop
Laizer sternly warned critics of the cure to keep quiet and not to dare "criticize a servant of God." Bishop Laizer stated the Church was
raising funds for the construction of a large prayer house at Samunge village
that would accommodate hundreds of people. The cleric had
already collected over Sh.50 million from the Sh500 he charged to everybody
served with his herbal concoctions.
“Part of the proceeds will be used for construction of the prayer house,” Bishop Laizer said, explaining that the church has opened an account for donations expected for the project. Business was booming in Samunge as people began selling food and alcohol to the captive audience of pilgrims, who were also even charged to use the latrine.
“Part of the proceeds will be used for construction of the prayer house,” Bishop Laizer said, explaining that the church has opened an account for donations expected for the project. Business was booming in Samunge as people began selling food and alcohol to the captive audience of pilgrims, who were also even charged to use the latrine.
However, in late 2011 the “Cup of Babu” fad was losing its
appeal and traffic swamping Samunge diminished dramatically. Perhaps it was bad PR for a “miracle cure”
when the healer’s own son tragically succumbed to malaria last year. The 76-year old cleric is now planning a
comeback and expects to attract at least twice as many visitors as he did
during the peak of the cure’s fame. No doubt Bishop Laizer will want the golden goose to continue laying eggs.
One journalist reports the rather mundane experience of
receiving the magic cup from the miracle-man:
I would be very interested to get in contact to you and Ch. Stueckelberger is also not really acting against this, these is all criminal and deadly and not a problem to "heal the churches" it is a problem to protect people's lives!
ReplyDeleteI have been working with the ELCT and connected / funding (Germany, Scandinavia and the US) overseas missions from 2003 to 2006 implementing a well working HIV/AIDS care and treatment clinic. It turned out the the ELCT bishops stole money on a big scale in cooperation with the funding missions. ELCT is connected to theft of monies from NGOs (including UN and the Global Fund) Taxpayers money and the criminal supporting missions have pastors and directors in a Tanzanian Association connected to ELCT and decide about huge money every year which they illegally and criminally sign off without internal and mandatory (!) external audits.
After the community protested with my patients the ELCT identified me as "the problem" - it was all over the media, including the BBC - and kicked me out in the same way like it happened here, with force and guns. Since then the clinic services were impaired and many of my patients died.
These are NOT single cases and this is program and immanent to the system of the Lutheran chruch, ALL Presiding bishops (including hypocrites like Huber (germany) Hansen (world presiding, US) Buenker (Austria) and many others like the Lutheran World Association and the Advocacy Alliance, the Global Fund (Dr Benn an Lutheran and Director of the GFAMT who worked in Tanzania and is very close to missions and ELCT - he has been on their payroll). They keep numb over the thefts and death and human rights abuses. But disgustingly ask the world for more money and blame others for not giving too much, but at the same time just monitor, contribute, cover up the criminal deeds of religious organisations. More info under www.pamoja.at (there is much more behind this than the eye can see). There is money and lies up to the top overseas - all of them live from the misery!
June 27, 2012 11:01 PM