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| South Africa's 'high priest' Ray McCauley dies aged 75 | South Africa's 'high priest' Ray McCauley dies aged 75 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pastor Ray McCauley was a highly influential religious leader in South Africa | Pastor Ray McCauley was a highly influential religious leader in South Africa |
| Tributes are pouring in for the widely admired but controversial founder of the Rhema Bible Church South Africa, Ray McCauley, who has died aged 75. | Tributes are pouring in for the widely admired but controversial founder of the Rhema Bible Church South Africa, Ray McCauley, who has died aged 75. |
| "Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones," his son said in a statement. | "Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones," his son said in a statement. |
| President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his “deep condolences”, adding that Pastor Ray's death "leaves our deeply spiritual nation bereft of a remarkable leader". | |
| The Rhema Bible Church has more than 45,000 members and is considered one of the most influential churches in South Africa. | |
| The South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) paid tribute to Mr McCauley, calling him a "an outstanding ecumenical leader". | The South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) paid tribute to Mr McCauley, calling him a "an outstanding ecumenical leader". |
| "He will be remembered as one of the great Christian leaders in the country," it said. | "He will be remembered as one of the great Christian leaders in the country," it said. |
| South Africa's former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also shared a heartfelt message, saying he "stood resolute on matters of integrity in state affairs". | |
| “I will always remember him as a person who pioneered inclusive worship long before others did," she said in a statement on X. | “I will always remember him as a person who pioneered inclusive worship long before others did," she said in a statement on X. |
| Does South Africa have too many Christian holidays? | Does South Africa have too many Christian holidays? |
| Fake pastors and false prophets rock South African faith | Fake pastors and false prophets rock South African faith |
| Mr McCauley played a key role in the late years of apartheid and spoke out against the racist apartheid regime. | Mr McCauley played a key role in the late years of apartheid and spoke out against the racist apartheid regime. |
| Ramaphosa described Rhema as one of the "largest multiracial churches during apartheid". | Ramaphosa described Rhema as one of the "largest multiracial churches during apartheid". |
| During the Truth and Reconciliation talks, he confessed the shortcomings of white South Africans who "hid behind their so-called spirituality while closing their eyes to the dark events of the apartheid years". | During the Truth and Reconciliation talks, he confessed the shortcomings of white South Africans who "hid behind their so-called spirituality while closing their eyes to the dark events of the apartheid years". |
| Ray McCauley had close ties with politicians and South Africa's elite - seen here with Cyril Ramaphosa in 2017 | |
| His church become a pillar of South African society and many high-profile figures like former President Jacob Zumba, members of parliament and sports stars attended services. | His church become a pillar of South African society and many high-profile figures like former President Jacob Zumba, members of parliament and sports stars attended services. |
| In 2009 Mr McCauley was accused of political bias as he allowed the then-unelected President Zuma to speak to his congregation. | In 2009 Mr McCauley was accused of political bias as he allowed the then-unelected President Zuma to speak to his congregation. |
| He was a member of the National Interfaith Leaders Council (NILC), a body meant to advise on delivery of social services, and he publicly defended Zuma and African National Congress (ANC) members on many controversial issues. | |
| At the peak of his influence he was described as the "high priest of South Africa", according to the UK's Independent news site, external. | |
| But he was criticised for living like a millionaire and preaching the prosperity gospel. | But he was criticised for living like a millionaire and preaching the prosperity gospel. |
| In 2008, he earned about 68m rand ($3.8m; £2.9m), most of which came from tithes and offerings, according to South Africa's Business Day, external paper. | |
| He was also heavily criticised for divorcing his first wife Lyndie in 2000, as there were no biblical grounds. This divided his congregation and many people left the church. | He was also heavily criticised for divorcing his first wife Lyndie in 2000, as there were no biblical grounds. This divided his congregation and many people left the church. |
| Mr McCauley married his second wife Zelda Ireland shortly afterwards, in 2001. | Mr McCauley married his second wife Zelda Ireland shortly afterwards, in 2001. |
| Before he became a spiritual leader, Mr McCauley was a bodybuilder and owned gyms. He took part in the Mr Universe competition in 1974 and came in the top three. | Before he became a spiritual leader, Mr McCauley was a bodybuilder and owned gyms. He took part in the Mr Universe competition in 1974 and came in the top three. |
| Although he stepped back from active church duties at Rhema in 2022, he preached a sermon at the church a few weeks ago. | Although he stepped back from active church duties at Rhema in 2022, he preached a sermon at the church a few weeks ago. |
| He is survived by his widow Zelda, son Joshua by his first wife, and three grandchildren. | He is survived by his widow Zelda, son Joshua by his first wife, and three grandchildren. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| The ex-gangster who has become South Africa's sports minister | The ex-gangster who has become South Africa's sports minister |
| Beauty contest sparks row over who counts as South African | Beauty contest sparks row over who counts as South African |
| Shepherd Bushiri: Meeting the man who ‘walks on air’ | Shepherd Bushiri: Meeting the man who ‘walks on air’ |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external |