Mercy Ministries, which has come under fire for allegedly ‘treating’ young women for drug addictions, witchcraft, lesbianism and psychological disorders with nothing more than prayer and exorcism, is planning to open a centre in Melbourne.

Mercy Ministries’ Director of Corporate Sponsorship, Peter Irvine confirmed it also plans to open houses in Adelaide, Perth, Townsville and Newcastle.
Irvine was until recently the managing director of Gloria Jean’s and a director of Mercy Ministries.

The US-based evangelical organisation already runs centres on the Gold Coast and in Sydney.

Some former residents of the Australian facilities say they needed several years of psychiatric treatment to overcome their treatment at the ministry, which convinced them they were controlled by the devil and that their mental illnesses were the result of being possessed by demons.

They said they were required to sign their Centrelink benefits over to be paid directly to the organisation, and were only permitted to see a medical practitioner in the presence of a ministry staff member.

Cult Counselling Australia said the organisation’s exploitation of vulnerable people put it “in the cult spectrum”.

Director Raphael Aron said he had been concerned about the group for some time, describing it as “well-meaning but totally misguided”.

The ministry claims 96 women have graduated from its program since 2001, but many more are alleged to have been thrown out with no support and no follow-up.

Mercy Ministries claims the support of major corporates Rebel Sport, Bunnings Warehouses, LG Electronics and Gloria Jean’s Coffee, but all except Gloria Jeans have distanced themselves from the organisation, saying they have no ongoing relationship.

The coffee chain, which has strong ties to Hillsong Church, said it had no plans to change its sponsorship arrangements, describing the Mercy as its “major cause-related partner,” with donation boxes in stores and an annual fundraising drive, “cappuccinos for a cause.”

The ministry reported income of $1.365 million in 2006.

by DOUG POLLARD