A church in London led by a Kenyan, Bishop Climate Irungu, was fined approximately Sh1.1 Million (£7,500), for holding 'noisy and disturbing' sermons aimed at casting out demons from worshipers.
Kingdom Church in Camberwell Station, got into trouble after residents went to court filing numerous complaints, lamenting over a weekly 3am miracle service held at the church, which they said was highly ‘noisy’.
Bishop Climate, admitted to holding the contentious night service arguing that in the wee hours of the morning was the best time to fight demons stating; "it is a well-known time that witchcraft and negative elements begin to work".
The Kenyan clergyman, decried the huge penalty, claiming they had set up sound filtering structures at the church to minimize the noise and that they would appeal the court decision.
“It is a big fine and we will be appealing against it. I do not deny that we made some noise – we did. But we have spent nearly ten thousand pounds reducing the noise. And I was out of the country so could not go to court,” South News quotes the Bishop
The Camberwell Green Magistrates found the church guilty of two charges under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1980.
Councillor Michael Situ, Southwark Council cabinet member for communities and safety, accused the church of frustrating an alternative to settle the matter out of court.
“We hope the penalty helps to remind both the leaders, and the wider community, anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and wrongdoers will be made to pay one way or another.” Mr Situ posed.
