Religion Roundup
Church Leader Denies Abuse Allegations
Associated Press
May 1, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The leader of an apocalyptic church in New Mexico is denying that children on his compound were abused.
In a posting on the The Lord Our Righteousness Church's Web site, Wayne Bent writes that there was "never any child molestation, or adult molestation by anyone." He says there has also never been "sex with minors or anything remotely approaching that."
Bent established the church at a rural site in northeastern New Mexico. He says God anointed him Messiah in July 2000.
New Mexico state police have removed three children from the church's compound after accusations were raised of inappropriate contact between the children and the church leader.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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