The Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case into the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God over potential safeguarding issues.
This follows claims by former members of the church’s youth group that they were shown pictures of dead bodies “as a warning of what happens to those who leave the church”, the Guardian reported.
In the same article, former members claimed they were told demon possession was the cause of mental health issues or their sexuality and that they felt pressure to donate large amounts of money.
The UCKG is an evangelical, Pentecostal church, founded in Brazil in 1977.
According to its website it opened its first church in the UK in 1995 and is currently operating churches in more than 100 countries.
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We have opened a regulatory compliance case into the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God regarding potential safeguarding concerns and are assessing information to determine any next steps.
“A charity should be a safe and trusted environment. As regulator, we are clear that keeping people safe should be a priority for all charity trustees.”
The regulator clarified it has made no finding of wrongdoing and could not comment further at this time.
Third Sector has contacted UCKG for comment.