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THUGS FORCE $50,000 'TAX' ON CHURCH
Not even the church is safe from extortionists.
A St Catherine pastor is claiming that extortionists have been targeting his church and he now fears for his life as well as those of his congregation.
The pastor, who requested anonymity, said that his place of worship is now being told to pay a monthly sum of $50,000.
According to Pastor Joe, the thugs have contacted him on several occasions over the past two weeks in an attempt to collect the money.
The problem he said began after he gave the thugs money on two occasions after they came begging.
"They visited me at the church two times before begging me for some help and I helped them out. Two times to be exact and gave them $40,000 totally out of the kindness of my heart," he said before adding: "It was money from my pocket not the church because the church cannot afford to give so much money away."
As a result of his kindness, Pastor Joe said he believes the men came up with the idea to extort the church.
"Is like they took my kindness for weakness. They asked two times and they received, so it's like they want to continue receiving," Pastor Joe said.
In the meantime, Pastor Joe said that the situation has forced him to consider moving the church elsewhere.
"Fifty thousand dollars is what they say they want every month end and there is no way the church can pay that. Not only that, but I have to think about my people as well as my own life. We're living in some serious times," he explained.
When THE WEEKEND STAR contacted the Area 3 police, Inspector George Kingsley said that they had heard of the situation and the pastor has scheduled with them for a meeting next week Wednesday.
"It is not something we have looked into just yet. The pastor contacted us and we are to speak with him next week, after that we most definitely will be investigating," the officer said.
Not even the church is safe from extortionists.
A St Catherine pastor is claiming that extortionists have been targeting his church and he now fears for his life as well as those of his congregation.
The pastor, who requested anonymity, said that his place of worship is now being told to pay a monthly sum of $50,000.
According to Pastor Joe, the thugs have contacted him on several occasions over the past two weeks in an attempt to collect the money.
The problem he said began after he gave the thugs money on two occasions after they came begging.
"They visited me at the church two times before begging me for some help and I helped them out. Two times to be exact and gave them $40,000 totally out of the kindness of my heart," he said before adding: "It was money from my pocket not the church because the church cannot afford to give so much money away."
As a result of his kindness, Pastor Joe said he believes the men came up with the idea to extort the church.
"Is like they took my kindness for weakness. They asked two times and they received, so it's like they want to continue receiving," Pastor Joe said.
In the meantime, Pastor Joe said that the situation has forced him to consider moving the church elsewhere.
"Fifty thousand dollars is what they say they want every month end and there is no way the church can pay that. Not only that, but I have to think about my people as well as my own life. We're living in some serious times," he explained.
When THE WEEKEND STAR contacted the Area 3 police, Inspector George Kingsley said that they had heard of the situation and the pastor has scheduled with them for a meeting next week Wednesday.
"It is not something we have looked into just yet. The pastor contacted us and we are to speak with him next week, after that we most definitely will be investigating," the officer said.
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