'We did not ordain Zuma'

Johannesburg - The Full Gospel Church on Tuesday distanced itself from the ordination of ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma as an honorary pastor.

"An independent Charismatic organisation had used the facility of the Full Gospel Church in Ntuzuma, KwaZulu-Natal for the event and the Full Gospel Church had no part in the conferring of this status," church secretary general pastor Christy Perumal said in a statement.

He said his church was the largest Pentecostal denomination in southern Africa and had no constitutional provision for the conferring of an "Honorary Pastor's" Status.

"The status and the privileges embodied in that status is unknown to us," Perumal said.

Zuma's ordination has received mixed reaction from religious organisations and political parties.

He was made honorary pastor at a meeting of independent charismatic churches at Ntuzuma, north of Durban, on Saturday.

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Durban - The move by Bishop Ben Mthethwa to declare African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma a priest was "shameful", said the Christian Front on Sunday.

"There seems to be no end to the disgraces that follow Zuma around. Zuma is an opportunistic politician and is now also trying to woo the church into his corner," said councillor Rudi du Plooy.

Du Plooy cited Zuma's rape trial and his views on same-sex marriages "as a disgrace to the nation and God" and reasons why he should not be made a pastor.

"Scandal and court cases abound in his life. It is outrageous for a person like this to be seen as a humble servant of the most High," he said.

The Sunday Tribune reported that Zuma was made an honorary pastor at a meeting of independent charismatic churches at Ntuzuma, north of Durban, on Saturday.

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