The Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case into the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) over potential safeguarding concerns.
Its intervention comes after former church members reported being shown graphic images of dead bodies when they were under the age of 16 as a warning of what happens to those who leave the church.
In an article by the Guardian, some claimed that officials from UCKG told them demon possession was the cause of mental health issues or their sexuality.
Commission opens compliance case
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We have opened a regulatory compliance case into the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God regarding potential safeguarding concerns and are assessing information to determine any next steps.
“A charity should be a safe and trusted environment. As regulator, we are clear that keeping people safe should be a priority for all charity trustees.”
The Commission specified it has a limited role in regard to safeguarding, which focuses on the conduct of trustees and steps they take to protect those who come into contact with the charity.
The regulator said it has made no finding of wrongdoing and could not comment further at this time.
Civil Society contacted UCKG for comment but did not receive a response.
91% of the charity's income comes from donations
UCKG was formed in 1977 in Brazil and is an international church that is now active in over 100 countries.
The charity was established in the UK as a Christian spiritual HelpCentre and was registered as a charity in 1995. It is based in London but has over 50 branches across the country.
Its HelpCentre is funded almost entirely by charitable donations, according to its website.
Indeed, its latest annual accounts ending February 2022 showed a total income of over £15m for the charity, with £13.7m coming from donations and legacies (91%).
Its expenditure for the same financial year was £13.3m.
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