A popular pastor in Montgomery shocked the whole congregation when he admitted to having sex with members of his congregation, in the church yard, in full knowledge that he was HIV positive. Rev. Juan D. McFarland made the admission right in front of his church on Sunday in September.
The entire congregation of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church sat dumbfounded when their weekly Sunday sermon turned into something they could not have imagined. The pastor, rev. Juan D. McFarland, was the man on the pulpit. He came clean on his rampant sexual escapades with female church members, his misusing of church funds and his abuse of drugs.
The reverend had first told his congregation he had HIV in 2003. The church, it is reported, was very accepting and willing to help the pastor. He later went on to have sexual relations with multiple members of the church.
According to WSFA-TV, Rev. McFarland admitted to sex, drug abuse and misusing of public funds on September 14. McFarland admitted that he was using marijuana, cocaine and all other conceivable drugs while using the church funds for having a "good time."
After the confession, the church pastor denied audience to members of the press. Other church leaders could not immediately be reached for comment. WSFA reports indicated that the pastor was later relieved of his duties form the church.
It is currently unknown how many women McFarland may have slept with. It is also unclear whether he made known his status before having the sexual relations.
Church leaders are consulting with their lawyers to determine whether it would be prudent to instigate legal proceedings against McFarland. "If it calls for a lawsuit, it calls for a lawsuit. We're going through the process," Deacon Nathan Williams said. He confirmed that no charges had been filed as of yet.
