Trinidad PM forgives Benny Hinn

Trinidad and Tobago Express/May 22, 2007
By Juhel Browne

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has forgiven international televangelist Benny Hinn for the "inaccurate statements" he made about events that transpired during a meeting at the Crowne Plaza last year.

In a statement issued by Whitehall yesterday, Manning expressed surprise over Hinn's statement about the presence of an unidentified woman whom he described as Manning's spiritual adviser.

On a recent Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Hinn described Manning as a "foolish man". He said when he was in his (Manning's) office a few months ago he brought with him a very foolish woman who called herself a prophetess.

"He (Manning) said 'I want her to pray for you and give her the word, I take her with me everywhere' he (Manning) said . 'God speaks to me through her. She has been a great blessing to the Government.' I'm thinking, 'you foolish man'".

"This woman reaches out to touch me and I grab her hand in mid air, 'don't touch me', I said. Shaken, I said, 'Mr Prime Minister, I honour you, but I don't know who this woman is…nobody will lay hands on me' and I walked out of the room. Whether it is the Prime Minister or President, nobody lays hands on me. I don't know what spirit is in her. Don't let people touch you."

Whitehall said Manning wanted to address the issue "following concerns expressed by members of the public."

"The Prime Minister says the statement made by Pastor Hinn is inaccurate and he is truly surprised that such remarks could be made by a man of God. The Prime Minister says, 'I am at a loss to determine what would have caused him to intervene in those terms, and at this time, but that is a matter between him and his maker,'" the Whitehall statement said.

It further stated, "For his part the Prime Minister believes Pastor Hinn did him a grave injustice but nevertheless, offers his forgiveness in the true spirit of Christian Brotherhood."

Whitehall said Manning expressed his thanks to Rev Dr Levi Duncan of the Calvary Revival Centre for his "timely and accurate public intervention."

Contacted yesterday, Duncan reiterated his shock at Hinn's comments and said he was glad to learn that Manning had decided to forgive and forget.