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Alabama COGIC Bishop Peter Wren Sr Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Yet another high-ranking official in the Church of God in Christ—the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States and the second largest African-American denomination—is accused of sexual misconduct. Bishop Peter Wren Sr., who is the head of the Third Alabama Jurisdictional and pastors the East Birmingham COGIC, has been accused by at least two women in his jurisdiction of being a sexual predator.

The allegations surfaced on social networking sites. Wren, who is married with children, denies the accusations and claims the woman is trying to "slander" him:

"She befriended my family and eventually moved into our home. For a period of (2) two years she stayed with my family, providing her a roof over her head and food to eat; worked at my place of business, providing her with revenue to support herself. In just a little while she would show a forming motive, after consumptions of alcohol, she would make advances at me. After rebukes and repeat attempts, I put her out of my home. She became angry and left the church and now is seeking ways to destroy my character by spreading these horrible lies. Tiffany_____, it is my recommendation that you seek some type of Psychiatric help and if these lies continue it leaves me no choice but to take legal actions against you because of Slander and Deformation[sic] of Character.

But another woman also comes forward and says there are many other cases.

“I also come as a victim of Bishop Peter Wren Sr. You confide in him some of your intimate secrets seeking spiritual guidance and he then takes those same secrets and guide you into unwarranted sexual advances and also his bed. I was too young and naïve to see through the deceit because like most innocent souls, we seek love and acceptance no matter what form."

Officials at the Memphis-based COGIC, which claims to have a "zero-tolerance" policy on sexual abuse, have refused comment and will not say if there is an official investigation.

This becomes only the latest charge of sexual misconduct within the rabidly anti-gay Church of God in Christ, which is well known for attracting so many closeted black gay men and rivals the Catholic Church for the many sexual predators within its leadership. COGIC is embroiled in numerous lawsuits and criminal investigations around clergy sexual abuse—there is a micro-site on the Church website—and has been accused of covering up sexual misconduct cases for decades. On January 30, a former COGIC pastor was sentenced to 20 years on charges he raped a teenage girl some 25 years ago. One church reportedly has four convicted pedophiles on its payroll.

BTW: The Church of God in Christ was the denomination that hosted Donnie McClurkin for his now-infamous rant against gay youth when he compared gay men to "vampires". Glass houses much?

In 2008, Ronald Paige, an Arkansas COCIC pastor, was killed by a young man who accused him of rape and molestation. Numerous male victims and their families have stepped forward with similar claims. One woman says she spoke to COGIC bishops about Paige molesting her son in the early 1980s and nothing was done. Watch a news report AFTER THE JUMP ...

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News: Wolfowitz Resignation, Falwell Funeral, Patti LaBelle

· Japanese and European finance ministers will not challenge Washington's traditional appointment of an American citizen to run the World Bank. The outgoing president, Paul Wolfowitz, was forced to resign after numerous clashes with staff and sponsor nations, most recently, arranging a promotion and hefty pay raise for his girlfriend. Formerly, Wolfowitz was the number two man at the Pentagon and one of the architects of the Iraq War.

· Thousands will attend the funeral of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell except for most prominent Republican politicians. GOP presidential hopefuls John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore will be no-shows and "the White House is sending Tim Goeglein, a mid-level aide, to represent President Bush."

· Right-wing harpy Ann Coulter on Falwell: "He exuded Christian love for all men, hating sin while loving sinners. This is as opposed to liberals, who just love sinners."

· Congress expands access to early anti-AIDS treatment for the low-income, HIV-positive.

· Patti LaBelle will perform at her first ever Black Gay Pride this Memorial Day in Washington DC. She explains her lasting appeal to the Washington Blade: "Maybe because I’m the original drag queen with the hair and the crazy costumes. Maybe it’s a way of people seeing that you can be yourself and be accepted. I’m sure not gay, but I’m out.”