Controversial pastor Hinn’s visit to Bangalore approved by local Church

New Delhi – Benny Hinn, the US–based controversial preacher is planning to visit Bangalore in January next year and a massive turnout of around 5 million or more is expected. But unlike the Catholic Church in Mumbai that warned its members from visiting his prayer meetings in the city in February this year, the church is Bangalore seems to be happy to welcome him with open arms.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore Father Ignatius Pinto is one of the chief patrons of the visit. His secretary, Father Anthony Swami confirmed that Pinto was one of the patrons.

“However, I will not be able to tell you in what capacity he is involved,” said Swami who also said that the church was aware of the stand taken by the Mumbai church.

Sajan George, chairman of the Global Council of Christians and one of the organizers of Hinn’s visit to Bangalore said that the preacher would be conducting his prayer meetings between January 21 and 23 at a ground in Jokkur, a Bangalore suburb. According to news reports, the ground is over 100 acres.

“We have not made a detailed programme yet. But the meetings will be called Festival of Blessings,” said George.

Hinn, criticized in the west for misinterpreting the Bible, made his first visit to India in February when he addressed three huge rallies at Bandra–Kurla complex between February 13 and 15. This is Hinn’s third visit to India. Very recently, he made a private visit to Delhi. Many Christian leaders, government officials and believers attended the meeting and witnessed the ‘healing ministry’ of Hinn in action. However, according to news reports, many returned home with disappointment and skepticism.

Before his Mumbai visit, the Archbishop of Mumbai Ivan Cardinal Dias, worried that Catholics might leave the church for those that follow the evangelist’s independent churches, had asked his priests to warn their parishioners from attending Hinn’s prayer meetings.

The Church, rightly worried that their faithful, many of whom watch his television programs, will flock to his meetings hoping to watch people healed from sicknesses said that Hinn was misleading Catholics with his “false prophecies, his alleged visions of angels and contacts with the dead”.

Hinn, who claims to make contact with the dead, is a controversial figure in the west where he has been criticised for misinterpreting the Bible and prophesizing the appearance of Jesus at his gatherings.

His claims of miraculous healing are also treated with skepticism.

Cardinal Dias said that Hinn, despite his popularity and TV shows, is not accepted even by many of his own evangelist colleagues for his "controversial doctrines, his misquotations and misinterpretations of the Bible, his false prophecies, his alleged visions of angels and contacts with the dead."

"In the west, there have been schisms because people have left the mainline churches and joined Hinn's ministries," said Father Pravin Fernandes, spokesman for the Archdiocese.

According to priests, a fundamental feature of Hinn's sermons is what is called the "prosperity gospel."

"I have been told that he promises only prosperity and success to his followers whereas we talk of both sufferings and happiness," says Father Larry Pereira, parish priest at Mount Carmel Church in Bandra. "He never talks of suffering. He talks about physical healing without talking about the spiritual part. His combines histrionics, hysteria and emotionalism to lead gullible believers astray," laments Fr. Fernandes.

The archdiocese of Mumbai is yet to issue an official statement on Hinn’s Bangalore visit that will surely see many of his followers flocking from Mumbai. Fr. Fernandes said that the local church remained opposed to Hinn.

“Our stand on Hinn remains the same. His teachings are not in agreement with ours. We do not encourage our congregations to attend his programmes,” Fr. Fernandes said.

Mumbai–based businessman Gul Kripalani, one of the organisers involved in Hinn’s visit, said they had met Pinto to inform him of Hinn’s tour. “Hinn has never spoken against the Catholic church,” he said.

“Frankly, there is some misunderstanding in the mind of the archbishop of Mumbai. Pastor Benny personally wants to meet Archbishop Dias to remove the misgivings that the archbishop has about him,” said Kripalani.

Fr. Fernandes said that he did not see any problem with the Bangalore Church’s views on the issue. “I suppose each one can decide for themselves,” he said.

From the Protestant side of the faith, the Churches of North India have also chosen not to take part in Benny Hinn meetings. Rev. Baiju Gavit, CNI, Bishop of Mumbai, said, "Officially we're not taking part because we have theological and doctrinal differences with Benny Hinn, but we haven't laid down any restrictions for our people."