Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 18, 1991 TAG: 9102180154
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA LENGTH: Medium
"We're accused as a cult," the Rev. Charles Reinert told more than 100 people gathered at Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a fundamentalist Christian church.
During his Sunday sermon, Reinert said there is "no fear when you can see God on your side."
Four children whose families belong to the north Philadelphia congregation have died this year of measles. Measles is suspected in the death of a fifth child from another fundamentalist church, but the cause of death is unconfirmed.
The church believes in divine healing and opposes all forms of medical care, including immunizations and medication.
A message from the father of two girls who died was among several read to the congregation Sunday morning.
"God has allowed the authorities to be so considerate" toward the family, Wayne Johnson wrote in his note. "We also thank God for our neighbors, who have not harassed or ridiculed us in any way."
Since Thursday evening, teams from two hospitals and the city have gone door-to-door to examine children who belong to Faith Tabernacle and another fundamentalist congregation.
City officials have not condemned the families for their beliefs. But the city Sunday was granted a court order to have one preschool-age child, whose family belongs to one of the two congregations, admitted to a hospital.
Deputy City Health Commissioner Robert Ross told a news conference that by Sunday night the teams had seen 447 children from 80 families and found 41 ill from measles.
Epidemiologists from the Center for Disease Control are expected in Philadelphia this week to help the city investigate the epidemic.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB