An Alabama judge has ordered a minister who reportedly admitted sleeping with his flock while he had AIDS to give up the pulpit. The deacons of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church sued to get Rev. Juan Demetrius McFarland removed after he refused to step down as pastor even after a membership vote to fire him. His ouster came after a series of shocking Sunday sermons in which he confessed he used drugs, misappropriated church funds, had AIDS and carried on sexual affairs with church members on the grounds.
In the suit, the deacons alleged that McFarland had changed the locks on the church and one of his supporters threatened to shoot them if they came back. Judge Charles Price of Alabama's 15th Judicial Circuit Court ruled for the deacons after a Thursday hearing and ordered McFarland to turn over the church keys and relinquish the bank accounts by the end of the day, NBC affiliate WSFA reported. McFarland — who confirmed the content of the sermons to WSFA — attended the hearing but did not speak.
IN-DEPTH
- Alabama Pastor Sued After Confessing to Adultery, AIDS
- Pastor Confessed He Has AIDS, Slept With Flock
— Tracy Connor