Pastor endorses oil as COVID-19 antidote

He wants public to smear oil as they invoke ‘blood of Jesus’ chant, much to vexation of MANS that has raised issue; pastor’s secretary claims that the speech was misconstrued

The quest for a cure to coronavirus is in progress across the world. In India, along with the rigorous scientific research, a handful of baseless claims have surfaced, claiming that consumption of cow urine could stall the disease. This claim was even celebrated through a party in New Delhi last week. Pune is not far away when it comes to cure antics with a city-based pastor endorsing “sacred” oil accompanied by chanting “blood of Jesus” for 100 times to keep the virus at bay.

These claims made by pastor Peter Silway of Vineyard Workers’ Church, Dapodi, provoked a strong reaction from Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) on Sunday. Many of its members were seen decrying the speech on social media and even objected to banners placed to this effect across Dapodi. MANS has taken its view to the district administration, demanding action against the community leader as this act “may invite another calamity in the middle of an epidemic”.


As evidence, MANS furbished Silway’s 25-minute clip, wherein he is seen talking about how spirituality will curb the coronavirus outbreak at atime when there is no medicine available. Herein, he specially suggests application of “sacred” oil while chanting “blood of Jesus”.

Milind Deshmukh, state chief secretary of MANS, said, “This is hypocrisy in the name of god. What will happen to an infected person if he/she relies on such remedies — thus keeping self away from treatment and isolation? These people will give rise to another disaster by spreading this contagious disease. Given the circumstances, we have appealed to authorities concerned for action against those who are disseminating wrong messages.”

Such claims, he added, violate the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 — and are completely unnecessary when experts across the globe are trying to find a cure. “At such a time, promoting yoga or gaumutra as cures need to be banned and people associated need to be booked,” Deshmukh said.

He then criticised the pastor’s agenda, saying that he had been rallying his point even as Vatican City is closed. “This pastor had also refused to accept Rs 21 lakh challenge given by late Narendra Dabholkar. He has not been able to cure illness through prayers,” he said.

Silway’s spiritual secretary Rahul Waghmare, who spoke on behalf of Silway, said that the pastor’s speech has been mistaken (for something else). “It is true that he has called for spiritual cure to the deadly virus, but he has simultaneously emphasised on the use of hand sanitiser and avoiding contact with infected people etc,” he said, adding, “Since last two days, we have cancelled the gathering for prayers, including Sunday mass. If we only swore by spiritual measures, we would have never asked people to avoid meetings. We have referred to the measures mentioned in the Bible along with the practical ones.”

However, Pune divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar is firm on his stance. “Any attempt to create confusion among the people will not be tolerated. We are equipped with enough powers under the Epidemic Act to legally act against such people,” he clarified.