An Alabama church is reeling from its pastor’s admission to the congregation that he has AIDS and has had sex with several members without notifying them of the disease.
Juan Demetrius McFarland, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, confessed from the pulpit in a series of sermons that he has the disease and has had sex in the church building, a local NBC affiliate reported.
Mr. McFarland, who is also head of the Alabama Middle District Missionary Baptist Association Inc., said he contracted HIV in 2003 and that AIDS was diagnosed in 2008, The Blaze reported.
In a resolution read aloud at the church, Mr. McFarland also admitted to drug use, adultery and the mishandling of church funds. The pastor confirmed to the NBC affiliate everything he shared with his congregation.
“He concealed from the church that he had knowingly engaged in adultery in the church building with female members of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church while knowingly having AIDS,” church deacon Nathan Williams Jr. told the station.
Mr. McFarland was removed as church pastor on Oct. 5. Church members said many are concerned and afraid to come forward.
Transmitting a sexually transmitted disease is a Class C misdemeanor, according to the Montgomery Police Department. No charges have been filed against Mr. McFarland, the station reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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