Ex-Exclusive Brethren accuse church of tearing families apart Fri, 30 Apr 2021, 10:32AM
Wellington woman Lindy Jacomb, with her newborn daughter Aria, was excommunicated by the Exclusive Brethren 13 years ago, barely out of her teens. (Photo / RNZ)
Ex-Exclusive Brethren accuse church of tearing families apart
By Ruth Hill for RNZ
Former members of the Exclusive Brethren allege the secretive sect is breaking up families, putting members in isolation and attacking their livelihoods in order to maintain control.
Last week RNZ revealed the church, which gets millions of dollars in taxbreaks each year, is using private investigators and lawyers to fend off its critics.
Ex-Exclusive Brethren accuse church of tearing families apart — There are some pretty nasty stories tvnz.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tvnz.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Excommunicated Exclusive Brethren members Rob MacLean and Lindy Jacomb.
Photo: RNZ
Last week RNZ revealed the church, which gets millions of dollars in taxbreaks each year, is using private investigators and lawyers to fend off its critics.
A chance remark to her adult daughter three years ago triggered a chain of events that has left a Christchurch woman and her husband estranged from eight of their nine children, 25 grandchildren and wider family, and repeatedly hauled before the courts.
The couple, whom RNZ has agreed not to name, blame the organisation, which now calls itself the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
This faithful Brethren of more than 60 years said her family has been torn apart.