Universal Church fires pastor in fracas over parking

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, 20:48 by Writer

The Brazil-headquartered Universal Church on Wednesday said it fired the pastor who banged and blocked a car from leaving outside the church on Charlotte and Wellington streets, Georgetown.

At the same time, the vociferous and enraged pastor insisted that outside the building, formerly Strand Cinema, was private property and no parking was allowed there.

City Mayor Alfred Mentore has already said that no application was made and no permission was ever granted to the church to use the area for parking.

Following is the full text of the statement by Pastor Dillipchan Bikharie President of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Guyana

The Board of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God wishes to apologize to the general public for the unbecoming behavior of one of its Pastors and several members of its congregation.

The behavior displayed is not in alignment with the Church’s values and principles and such misconduct and recalcitrant behavior will not be condoned.

The Church’s Board has met and after extensive deliberation in reviewing its internal policies on acceptable conduct pertaining to both Pastors, Assistant Pastors and members of its congregation have decided to relieve the recalcitrant Pastor of his position.

The Pastor is no longer associated with the The Board of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Guyana.

We have released a video in which the President of the Universal Church in Guyana has apologised to the nation for the Pastor’s misconduct.

The Board of the Church could not unilaterally make a decision on disciplinary action against the Pastor.

The decision had to await the meeting of the Board. Once again, we wish to apologize to the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Prime Minister, Honourable Mark Phillips, the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, all members of the Cabinet, members of Parliament, fellow religious leaders and all Guyanese for such misconduct.