A&E REVEALS THE DARK STORY OF ABUSES WITHIN THE CHURCH THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IN “ SECRETS OF THE APOSTLE OF THE WRONG ”
A chilling production from the “ Secrets ” collection of the A&E Real franchise that exposes the complaint to three generations of apostles for aberrant crimes within the La Luz del Mundo Church, in Guadalajara, Mexico, and which delves into accusations about its current leader, Naasón Joaquín García.
This series exposes an exclusive investigation with the testimony of more than 25 witnesses, among journalists and former members of the cult who reveal the practices behind the Church, and the declaration of survivors who claim, among other complaints, to have been sexually abused by the leader called “ the Apostle of Jesus Christ ”
APOSTLE OF THE BAD
GREAT STRAIN BY A&E: SUNDAY, JUNE 4
At 22:00 HS. ARG-COL-MEX- CHI
A&E presents next Sunday, June 4 “ SECRETS OF THE MAL APOSTLE ”, a new series from the “ Secrets ” collection of the A& franchise&E Real that exposes the accusations and denunciations about the apostles of the Church The Light of the World, focusing mainly on the figure of its leader Naasón Joaquín García, sentenced to prison in 2022 for three crimes of sexual abuse of minors.
The shocking production of five one-hour episodes presents first-hand testimonies from journalists, former members of La Luz del Mundo that reveal the practices of worship behind the Church, and victims who claim to have been sexually abused by the leader named “ The Apostle of Jesus Christ ”. The interviewees expose how from a community that promotes “ respecting the equal dignity of people, as well as their rights and freedoms, and rejecting all acts of discrimination, imposition and intolerance ”, corruption, expropriation, manipulation, and abuse are unleashed.
The strong stories of survivors, former members of the cult and journalists bring to light three generations of child abuse and have been key to discovering the atrocities that occurred within the Church. The victims denounce monstrous events since the beginning of the Light of the World in the hands of its founder, Naasón's grandfather, Aarón Joaquín González; in the subsequent mandate led by his son Samuel Joaquín Flores, Naasón's father, Apostle of the Light of the world from 1964 to 2014, of whom they assure that he committed multiple abuses without ever being prosecuted; and finally, in the most current era, with Naasón Joaquín as leader.
“ MAL APOSTLE SECRETS ” collects testimonies from 25 survivors of The Light Church of the World in California, Texas, Arizona, Utah, North Carolina, Mexico City and Guadalajara after more than 18 months of research. The interviewees claim to have experienced from economic, labor and psychological, to sexual, abuse by the patriarchs, bishops, and pastors of this religious congregation. The shocking statements are chronologically intertwined with archival material from the main newscasts that have reported the controversial events of The Light of the World in the last 10 years.
Among the testimonies linked to sexual abuse, the series presents the word of Moisés Padilla, who formally and publicly denounced Samuel Joaquín for that crime and who, after making the accusation, he survived an assassination attempt; and the statement of Sochil Martin, who asserted that Naason repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
“ SECRETS OF THE APOSTLE OF THE WRONG ” exposes other types of alleged abuse of the leaders of the Light of the World linked to the exercise of economic and labor power. Witness Sarah Manjarrez recalls that she was forced to participate in all kinds of activities and where all the proceeds went to the temple; and Raquel Guerra assures that she was forced to work for the church and marry at 14 years with another minor that she hardly knew.
The interviewees also speak of the luxuries of the leaders at the cost of the austerity of their faithful. Journalists, experts, former members and survivors reveal how “ Tithing ” was collected, 10% of the income of its followers, in addition to multiple “ offerings ” for the benefit of the leadership. This is stated through their testimony by former pastors Héctor Vera and Sergio Meza. This economic system would have allowed the Joaquín family to take on luxury cars and planes, countless properties with large tracts of land that ensure include lakes, forests, airports and theme parks; in addition to private collections of luxury cars, thoroughbred horses and zoos with exotic animals.
Furthermore, other whistleblowers claim that the smallest are indoctrinated in obedience and submission in The Light of the World, and seek to expose, through their own revelation, the manipulation and labor exploitation to which they are subjected from children. This is the case of the statements provided by Karen Aguilera, born and raised in La Luz del Mundo; and Asael and Verónica Soria, a marriage from Phoenix, Arizona, which speaks of “ brainwashing ” to which they were exposed from childhood in The Light of the World.
Also, the series exhibits the theme of corruption by the congregation and the sovereignty of the apostle, not only for the enrichment through the income contributed by his followers ( the tithe ), but for the link of the church with the political and economic power.
Finally, the production shows the judicial outcome after the accusations against Naasón, with his arrest in 2019, and his subsequent conviction in June 2022, after an agreement with the California Attorney's Office, the leader received 16 years and 8 months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of minors.
Naasón Joaquín's arrest was a kick for several of the former members of La Luz del Mundo to unite their voices and talk about what they had been silent for years. And they are the main protagonists in this documentary series.
The A&E channel is recognized for being a pioneer in research series with a rigorous journalistic focus, and presents cases that resonated around the world from a different angle, with exclusive access to witnesses, who for the first time share their stories on camera. This type of productions make up the A&E Real franchise, which has series and specials without scripts registered by its own protagonists.
In this way, this new series “ SECRETS OF THE APOSTLE OF THE WRONG ” is part of the collection “ Secrets ” of A&E Real, which in 2022 released “ Playboy Secrets ”, documentary series that reveals the dark fabric of power, sex, violence and deception behind the walls of the mansion and the Playboy empire by its creator Hugh Hefner and which this year presents its second season; and “ Secrets: the Chippendales ” murders, docuserie that unravels the murders around the legendary United States nightclub of the ’ 80s Chippendales, who had as protagonists a pioneering group of male strippers. In addition to the premiere of the new season of “ Playboy Secrets ”, A&E is hosting for this 2023 the launch of two other series that will join the franchise: “ Prince Andrew's Secrets ”, “ Miss America Secrets ”.
EPISODES “ SECRETS OF THE APOSTLE OF THE BAD ”
Sunday, June 04
ABUSE AND MANIPULATION ( # 01 ABUSE AND MANIPULATION )
Before dying, Samuel Joaquín, the Apostle of the Light of the world was singled out for alleged sexual abuse. Her son and successor, Naasón Joaquín, was detained on charges of child pornography and sexual exploitation. Exembers tell shocking stories of sexual abuse first hand.
Sunday, June 11
THE LUKE OF APOSTLE ( # 02 THE LUST OF THE APOSTLE )
Moisés Padilla, alleged sexual victim of “ Apóstol ” Samuel Joaquín, survives an assassination attempt and makes it public in the media. Sochil Martin blames Naasón Joaquín, the new apostle, and seeks to apply the RICO law to the Light of the World.
Sunday, June 18
THE AVARICE OF APOSTLE ( # 03 THE GREED OF THE APOSTOL )
Members ensure that The Light of the World is enriched by tithing ( 10 percent weekly of their followers' income ) and special offerings. The parishioners say they have bought land, built temples, and give luxury gifts to the Apostle and his family.
Sunday, June 25
THE APOSTLE'S SOVEREIGNTY ( # 04 THE PRIDE OF THE APOSTLE )
The Apostle of the Light of the World, Naasón Joaquín, holds an event at the Palacio de Bellas Artes to celebrate his 50th birthday, putting its political and economic power before the eyes of public opinion.
Sunday, July 2
#5 THE FINAL JUDGMENT
After an agreement with the California Attorney's Office, The leader of La Luz del Mundo receives a sentence of 16 years and 8 months after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of minors. You are a sexual predator, the judge said.