Charges Dropped Against Moon Leaders in Phillipines May 6, 1998 As reported in: The Sun Star (Phillipines) THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the criminal cases filed against the Unification Church. This after Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello III found that the criminal acts which the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the head of the group, and 12 local leaders were accused of committing had not been "satisfactorily proven." In his order, he instructed the chief state prosecutor to withdraw the information filed in court or move for the cases' dismissal. The Unification Church officers were charged with violations of RA 6955 or an Act declaring illegal the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals; Article 350 of the Revised Penal Code or usurpation of authority; and RA 8042 or illegal recruitment. The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by Marilyn Fernandez Bartal, a former member. Bartal, who registered as Aida Santos in the movement, said two Korean missionaries offered her "lucrative employment" in South Korea. Aside from paying P2,100 for her passport and visa, she was told that she could go to South Korea if she agreed to "marry" Jo Wonder, a Korean national, in a January 1996 wedding. But her identity was discovered when she failed to produce legal papers showing she was single. Only single people are matched by the Unification Church. Meanwhile, Bello agreed with Rene Saguisag, the group's legal counsel, that the Unification Church is a legitimate religious organization and that the "matching or blessing of a man and a woman is a religious fulfillment within the Church community based on faith and conviction...to realize the Church mission." May 6, 1998 Moon sponsored dance troupe to perform in N. Korea May 1, 1998 The Little Angels, a Children's dance troupe that performs traditional Korean dance and music will make three performances in N. Korea. The event is billed as a cultural exchange. Moon is credited with forming the group in 1962, but it appears as though the idea came from right hand man Bo Hi Pak, who has used the children's group to enhance South Korea's image globally as well as increase relationship's with important world figures accumulated from over 5000 performances in 50 countries. Moon has been a master throughout his life of exploiting the innocence of youth to sell his harsh dream of dictatorial and brutal control of the world through a theocracy that he would lead. May 1, 1998 Lyons Get's Heat From Baptists for Moonies May 1, 1998 Baptist leader Henry J. Lyons already embroiled in charges of racketeering and grand theft from his handling of church funds, finds himself in the midst of controversy again. Lyons who is president of the Baptist Convention met quietly with senior officials of the Unification Church and discussed the possibility of Sun Myung Moon addressing the Convention in September. He allowed Rev. Joong Hyun Pak , an important Moonie leader, to address hundreds of board members on the proposition. Pak expressed that the Unification Church sought closer ties with the Baptists. Even some of Lyon's supporters were uncomfortable over the meeting, one declaring "I could not even associate with The Moonies from afar. There is only one Christ." Indeed. There are some things Moon's billions won't buy. Faith is one. April 29, 1998 20 Million Dollars in Brazil April 21, 1998 Moon has been increasing his operations in South America as he has been discouraged with the lack of success in America. He reportedly has spent 20 Million dollars buying and developing land within a 125 mile radius, encompassing 33 cities, for what is called : New Hope Ranch. 74,000-acres with plans for a university, school and research center. He has announced intentions of founding a Newspaper in Brazil, to complement his media holdings which include dailies in Argentina and Uruguay. Moon has made speeches to members where he challenged them whether or not they would leave their countries and move to a place where he would direct them. He said "When father laughs, everyone will laugh, when father dances, everyone will dance." One cannot help but recall another "messiah" Jim Jones, who similarly sought to create his own Garden of Eden in Guyana. Tragically, we are all aware how that project ended. April 27, 1998 Louis Farrakhan Meets With Rev. Moon In Korea February 10, 1998 Stopping in Korea, the 25th country visited by Farrakhan on his World Friendship Tour, it was reported that a series of meetings took place between Moon and Farrakhan. Farrakhan declared that "Rev. Moon has become immortal" because of having founded numerous institutions and projects. Moon's standby group of good will agents, The Little Angels, a Moon sponsored children's dance troupe, performed for Farrakhan at Sun Moon University. Farrakhan also hinted at closer business ties between Moon and The Nation of Islam through Moon's fishing enterprises. Copyright 1998 Craig MaximAuthor gives permission to copy and distribute for personal use only. May not be sold or utilized for profit in any way.
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