Rev. Juan D. McFarland, an Alabama clergyman, has been ordered to vacate his post after confessing to mismanaging the Montgomery church and being HIV positive while having unprotected sex with some female members of his congregation.
The pastor of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church made the shocking revelations during a service on Sept, 14th. He admitted to abusing drugs and grossly mismanaging the church funds for many years.
Rev. Juan D. McFarland also disclosed that he tested positive for the HIV virus in 2003 and later in 2008 for AIDS.
"He made it public. He shared it, and I'm just saying what he said," a member of the church was quoted saying.
Rev. Juan D. McFarland continued to reveal more details of his transgressions during subsequent church meetings. He admitted that his drug habit was funded with the church money. The pastor said sometimes while preaching he was high on either cocaine or marijuana.
Reports indicate that members of the church were shocked by the bizarre nature of Rev. Juan D. McFarland's sermon. Although surprised, many were reportedly empatic to the preacher.
According to NBC, church members were "concern[ed] for his health, but the sentiment changed when he admitted to misdeeds and then tried to appoint a new set of deacons."
Members have since expressed their disappointment and anger, stressing that Rev Juan D. McFarland must be tried for his crimes.
Reports indicate that after his confessions, it took about three weeks to replace him as spiritual leader of the church.
"He fraudulently concealed from the congregation...that he had knowingly engaged in adultery in the church building with female members of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church while knowingly having AIDS," reads a motion for his sack quoted by NBC.
Rev Juan D. McFarland was officially fired last Sunday, Oct 5, after members of the church voted 80-1 in favor of his deposal. But he has reportedly refused to step down and has hidden the keys of the church.
