UNIVERSAL CHURCH TEMPLES VANDALISED IN LUANDA

 Two temples of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD) in Angola were vandalized by unidentified persons early Sunday, the religious institution's reform commission has told Angop.

The incident which targeted the properties confiscated by the Attorney General's Office (PGR), sparked outrage among the church authorities

The unidentified gunmen vandalized the Cathedral of Morro Bento neighborhood, in the urban district of Samba, Luanda municipality, and in the headquarters of the province of Malange.

Almost all equipment used for worship, including sound systems and keyboards, have been vandalized, said the reform commission spokesperson, Gime Inácio.

He said 20 to 25 heavily armed criminals have taken printers and air conditioning, in addition to breaking the glass at the front entrance of the Morro Bento temple, but no human victim has been reported.

National police have confirmed theft of four speakers, equal number of sound units, three air conditioners, equal number of amplifiers and an image projector.

The spokesman for the provincial command of Police in Luanda, chief inspector Nestor Goubel, said the incident is being investigated, and pledged to clarify the case, as soon as possible.

IURD temples in Angola now have the National Institute of Religious Affairs (INAR) as faithful depositaries, under a recent PGR decision on a dispute between Angolan and Brazilian pastors and bishops.

Strongly condemning the incident, the reform commission of IURD Angola called on the authorities to work towards the identification of the perpetrators of the crime.

Church members, workers and pastors have been told to remain calm, preserve peace and cultivate reconciliation among the faithful.