This is a Napier rest home resident Whetu Abraham, 54, a partial tetraplegic with head injuries, the result of being hit by a car in 1986. What also makes him further vulnerable is his lack of family – basically he’s a loner with obvious ‘issues’ and sadly little to no immediate support.
Over the last two years Abraham has donated his entire life saving to the Napier City ‘Oasis’ Elim Church, in the belief he was in-effect buying his way into heaven.
When she learned of what was happening the rest home manager, Lucy Dever, tried to intervene on Abrahams behalf with the churches pastor Bruce Collingwood, and make him aware that Mr Abrahams survived on a sickness benefit and was not in a position to be granting them six-figure donations, let alone his entire nest-egg, given he has no other income source.
Pastor Collingwood dismissed her protestations and banked the monies (approx NZ$20,000) telling Dever dismissively it was Abrahams choice.
I ask you what sort of person is this ‘man of god’ Pastor Bruce Collingwood?
What sort of organisation could take the last cent of a vulnerable person – a man clearly not fully in control of his facilities, down on his luck?
The Napier Oasis Church should be hit where it hurts them most i.e. in the pocket.
Their charitable status should be immediately cancelled.
PS: By the way The Oasis Church in Napier happen to have a Facebook site to vent your anger – so why not join in the fun and tell these creeps what you think? The last couple of posts on their ‘wall’ are gems and sum-up the publics anger at their despicable actions: “scum sucking mutha f*cking arrsehole!” and “complete scum”.
Over the last two years Abraham has donated his entire life saving to the Napier City ‘Oasis’ Elim Church, in the belief he was in-effect buying his way into heaven.
When she learned of what was happening the rest home manager, Lucy Dever, tried to intervene on Abrahams behalf with the churches pastor Bruce Collingwood, and make him aware that Mr Abrahams survived on a sickness benefit and was not in a position to be granting them six-figure donations, let alone his entire nest-egg, given he has no other income source.
Pastor Collingwood dismissed her protestations and banked the monies (approx NZ$20,000) telling Dever dismissively it was Abrahams choice.
I ask you what sort of person is this ‘man of god’ Pastor Bruce Collingwood?
What sort of organisation could take the last cent of a vulnerable person – a man clearly not fully in control of his facilities, down on his luck?
The Napier Oasis Church should be hit where it hurts them most i.e. in the pocket.
Their charitable status should be immediately cancelled.
PS: By the way The Oasis Church in Napier happen to have a Facebook site to vent your anger – so why not join in the fun and tell these creeps what you think? The last couple of posts on their ‘wall’ are gems and sum-up the publics anger at their despicable actions: “scum sucking mutha f*cking arrsehole!” and “complete scum”.
Footnote: Bruce Collingwood has commented on this article (comments section below) giving his side of the story. Far dues to him.
