"We get in touch with you (...) because he has had sex outside marriage. For this reason we quote him for a court hearing, it is our theocratic responsibility. " With these words begins the letter that the French Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Cardedeu sent this man of 43 years ceased to be a member of this community "about five years".
This document, which confirms the existence of parallel trialsdevotees of confession is "strange , " said Miguel Garcia, for the book "Shepherd the Flock '-of exclusively for elders who lead the congregaciones- detailing how to form a "judicial committee" and clarifies that it must "cited the defendant orally". It adds that if "a journalist or a lawyer" question from these lawsuits should not "provide any information or confirm their existence."
THE CONGREGATION IS deny
This newspaper has contacted one of the three elders who have cited Miguel Garcia for trial on Monday 26 September. As dictated by the book entry, the old man has denied most. "First news," he responded.After learning that appear with your name signing the letter of invitation, he acknowledged that the trial did exist. This session was to be held at the Kingdom Hall of Cardedeu His local- because it is a "theocratic framework" that "instills greater respect in the present."
"They're trying to rideme a parallel court, as a court of honor, something totally illegal"
"Failure" of the three elders, according to the text, has for the accused "lasting and large - scale consequences." Offenses included in such serious Criminal Code as murder,rape and sexual abuse of minors or made even punishable as smoking or getting drunk deserve the celebration of these judgments.
Miguel Garcia was separated from his wife to leave confession and four years later formally divorced. To "liberate" his wife, he wrote a letter in which he explained that he had a new relationship. Thus, she could get the "biblical divorce" and remarrying. Garcia suspected that currently have a homosexual relationship has motivated the background is called court hearing for adultery. It is, says Garcia, a "homophobic" community, and as proof refers to a video of domestic production .
PUNITIVE IF THERE DURESS
Legal sources emphasize that holding such parallel to the existing legislation has "no validity" judgments. And that would be something "punishable" if it were shown that there are constraints to force and comply undergo these punishments imposed. Usually, it is a public reprimand or expulsion directly confession. This second is traumatic when it suffers a member of a family of the same creed because thereafter should restrict the relationship with other relatives.
"I ended up with an anxiety attack. I was admitted to a hospital and stood there. I had to ask the nurses to not let them go"
In May 2014, the Minister of Justice of Finland, Anna-Maija Henriksson, warned that "no room" in the country "for two judicial systems" . He did so after 18 former members of Jehovah's Witnesses denounced the existence of these judicial committees with the capacity to condemn the "ostracism" the accused.
TO THE MOSSOS
Miguel Garcia says that leaving the organization almost five years ago was "harassed" by his former teammate. "I ended up suffering an anxiety attack, I was admitted to the hospital and stood there. I had to ask the nurses not to let them in," he recalls.
On April 19, 2014 sent them a burofax to require that lawenforcement protection of personal data erase all information concerning him. They answered and said documents, they would stay with their data because he kept on file consisting as "baptized member."
After receiving the summons for trial, he has reported to the Mossos to Jehovah's Witnesses harassment, for refusing to delete personal data and cover up sexual abuse he suffered in a congregation of Belgium, and has taken legal action for moral damages.
Aníbal Matos, a spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, admitted the existence of these judicial committees but said that "not mandatory" nor "punishments are imposed." It is only interventions to "give biblical guidance" to members of a congregation.
