'Moonie cop' starts probe

Northhampton Post/March 30, 1982

A public school teacher who is well-known for his investigations into the controversial Moonies sect is turning his attention to the Jesus Fellowship.

Mr Casey McCann who operates a rescue service for youngsters who run away to join the Moonie cult in America, has become concerned by letters he has received from worried Northampton parents whose children have joined the Bugbrooke commune.

For many years Mr McCann has worked to free youngsters from the grip of the Moonies, and has flown several back to England.

Tomorrow he will be coming to Northampton for a meeting with a leading official from Bugbrooke to thrash out questions he wants answered about the group.

Mr McCann - who teaches in Kent - said:'I have been very concerned about youngsters in the Bugbrooke Fellowship ever since a number of parents contacted me about their children's involvement with it.

'The time has come to sort out the worries and fears - and to see if they are justified.' 'I shall be asking about claims that family relationships are discouraged or even broken and why the group and so resentful of outside criticism.'

'As a teacher I am also very concerned about parent's claims that their children's education is being interrupted.'

'The Fellowship can argue that their members are adults but I believe that if someone is on an educational course, it should not be interrupted for a religious cause, whether they are 18 or 28.'

Mr McCann will be asking the Fellowship to write down the points he raises, and to agree to solve any problems.

This is the same method he used with Moonie leaders in America when he was fighting to bring English youngsters home.

'I shall give the Fellowship a month, or maybe two, to solve the problems. And if they don't then I'll be back,' said Mr McCann.

He started investigation the Moonies when two pupils from his boarding school joined the sect.

He is now the nationwide contact for parents with children in the group and is flying to America this year for discussions with Moonie leaders about releasing 15 British youngsters. Mr McCann hopes that his meeting with Bugbrooke will solve any problems that exist.'I am not suggesting the Bugbrooke are like the Moonies.' He said, 'but certain points need to be cleared up.'

'The simple fact that they are an English-based organisation should make it easier to reason with them. They should understand what is socially acceptable in this country, and what is not.'