UPDATE (Aug 26, 2008)

UPDATE (Aug 25, 2008)

Other links for updates: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/25/2345377.htm

UPDATE: (Aug 23, 2008)

THE father of disgraced pastor Michael Guglielmucci has revealed his son has been addicted to pornography since the age of 12.

Danny Guglielmucci – whose high-profile preacher son this week admitted his two-year battle with cancer was fake – said the "severe addiction to pornography" was part of a bizarre double life his son had been leading.

Mr Guglielmucci said Michael had made a full confession to his family about his past, including revelations about the 16-year porn obsession and the lies over his supposed battle with terminal illness.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mail this week, Mr Guglielmucci also revealed:

HIS son has been suffering "mystery illnesses" since the age of 12.

Mr Guglielmucci said his son was undergoing psychiatric assessment with Adelaide doctors.

"They have said to me that he is very ill. They are assessing where reality stopped and fantasy kicked in and what's caused all this," he said.

"The doctor believes that at times Michael was totally convinced that he had this sickness."

Mr Guglielmucci said he and his wife were in "absolute shock" to discover their son was not terminally ill.

"We have watched our son go through what we thought was cancer," he said. "My wife and I, over the past two years, have watched him vomit in buckets, having nosebleeds, and even his hair fell out in clumps at one stage.

"Every time we saw him, we saw symptoms. He stayed with us for a while where we had to put a special air-conditioner in one of the rooms because he would heat up so much in the middle of winter.

"He had this cold air-conditioner blowing on him to try to keep the heat down. As a professional minister I've stood in front of my congregation and cried and said to pray for my son.

"I've travelled the world asking people to pray for him. Can you imagine what a horrible thing it would be if I was playing a game?

"To be honest, I ask myself as a father, `What did I miss, what did I not do? What could I have done better?'

Get the full story here: Adelaide Now

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UPDATE 2: (Aug 22, 2008) "Disgraced pastor Michael Guglielmucci has been ordered to report to police by church officials, who will investigate what has happened to money raised during his terminal cancer deception. The Australian Christian Churches told The Advertiser yesterday that it was auditing Mr Guglielmucci's bank accounts, which included money donated from people touched by his hit song Healer.
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It appears from first reports (Aug 20, 2008) that “Healer” song writer  Michael Guglielmucci was and is not suffering from terminal cancer. An email was sent out today to many members of Hillsong Church in Sydney. It stated that Michael Guglielmucci’s illness is not what it has been portrayed to be by Michael Guglielmucci himself, and comes as a shock to us all, including even his wife and family. It appears that he does not have a terminal illness. Mike is currently with his family in Adelaide and is seeking professional support.

If it turns out to be true, and I’m sure more details will come forth, but it hurts – it hurts because a testimony is a strong, faith building device God has given us. This song was a testimony and encouragement for so many.

Can God use deceit to glorify himself and draw people to Himself – yes! Of course.

Phil 1. 15 - 18
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice

But it still hurts. It also show us the importance of having lives of integrity as worship leaders and song writers ( or simply as Christians!). Songs connect people with people – songs can connect people to the singer, the writer and to the person next to them in the concert. Songs also connect at a deeper level the heart of God to our own hearts.

But why does this hurt so much – it hurts even more than Ted Haggard. I guess its because the song made us vulnerable and open to God – and to find out that it was written in deceit hurts. Makes me feel like I was duped. But was I? Is God, God? Is He a Healer? Is He a Saviour? Does the failings of a flawed writer testifying about his healing power or crying out for his healing touch, make that touch any less real.

It seems we have been hit with some scandals – Ted Haggard and more recently this and the difficulties of Todd Bentley’s marriage. But the fact that God uses flawed men – even in the midst of their failure is not bad news – its good news! If that weren’t the case – I would be unusable.

But I want to be holy, I want to contend for a church where what they see, is what they get. I want a church that is broken, and gathers around its wounded and fallen – instead of throwing stones. But I also understand the betrayal. God is not surprised – He probably is the one who after months & years of speaking to Mike to come clean – had to either force his hand or expose him – not to shame him but to free him from the lie. God is glorified by truth – even when that truth hurts His cause. Thank you that we can trust in a God of such faithfulness.

I believe You’re my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You’re my Portion
I believe You’re more than enough for me
Jesus You’re all I need

These lyrics are still true. And in the end, its the heart that sings them, that owns them, that makes them real.

“The authenticity of worship resides not in the composer of a song, but rather in the heart of the singer.” – Batsirai Chada.

That’s good – otherwise a police background check is in order before any sermon is preached or CD is released.

Will we keep singing the song at The Embassy? Umm… I think so. Truth is truth.

UPDATE:

On August 20, 2008 by Guglielmucci's own admission he had presented a false claim about his health, specifically having cancer. This was documented in the media as to being a shock to his church and his own family.

Australian Christian Churches vice president Alun Davies gave a statement that Mr Guglielmucci had admitted to fabricating his illness:

"Representatives of the National Executive for the Australian Christian Churches recently met with Michael Guglielmucci. At this meeting, he read a statement indicating that his claim to have cancer was untrue." His credential with the Australian Christian Churches was immediately suspended. 

According to The Advertiser (Adelaide) Mr Guglielmucci may release a statement on the situation soon.

Shortly after the news broke of this alleged fraud, videos that showed Guglielmucci speaking openly about his cancer and also featured various footage of him wearing an oxygen mask while leading worship were removed from Youtube. Messages on Youtube in place of the removed material indicate that Hillsong Publishing was asserting their copyright of the material in having the videos removed. However, Hillsong Publishing had not previously asserted their copyright for the video on Youtube featuring Guglielmucci and his song "Healer", which had recently reached as high as 300,000 views. Since the news of Guglielmucci's alleged fraud, every other attempt to host the videos has been met shortly thereafter by Hillsong asserting their copyright to have them removed.

Original Hillsong Letter & ACC Statement

“Dear Church,

In the past 24 hours it has been brought to our attention that Michael Guglielmucci’s illness is not what we have been led to believe.

Michael has confirmed that he is not suffering with a terminal illness and is seeking professional help in Adelaide with the support of his family.

This news has come as a great shock to everyone including, it seems, his own wife and family.

We are asking our church to pray for the Guglielmucci family during this difficult time.

God bless,
George Aghajanian
General Manager

ACC Statement:

“Representatives of the National Executive recently met with Michael Guglielmucci. At this meeting he read a statement indicating that his claim to have cancer was untrue. His credential with the ACC was immediately suspended.

The National Executive is taking this matter very seriously and is awaiting the results of medical tests before determining the full extent of the discipline that will be imposed upon him.

We are very concerned for the many people who have been or will be,hurt by Michael’s actions and we encourage all of our churches to pray for all those affected.”

Planetshakers City Church email to their congregation, Russell & Sam Evans wrote:

It is with great sadness that we send you this email. We wanted to tell you all in person but because others were being informed outside our church we felt it necessary to send you this correspondence. Michael Guglielmucci has informed us that he does not suffer from cancer, was never diagnosed with cancer, and has never suffered from the disease. This admission has come as a great shock to everyone including his Wife and family who had no knowledge of the matter. We know this will shock and hurt many of you and we offer you our support and prayers. Our pastoral team will be available to offer any assistance in regard to this situation. We are all saddened by this revelation and our prayers are with the Guglielmucci family. We would encourage you to take this situation to the Lord in prayer responding out of a heart of love, grace and truth. While it is difficult for all of us to understand why this happened we would encourage you all to a closer personal walk with our Lord Jesus.

What Now...

We must now move on, and look at some real issues in our culture and in ourselves. How then shall we live...

We could ignore this as  just another fall from grace, pray for Mike and move on with life - or we could ask the Lord for wisdom in our own lives, on how we can live with integrity, how we can be the church, how we can love and live in community - holding one another in the light.

Here are some wise reflections on this whole situation:

http://commonfeet.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/an-afterthought-on-lies/

and

http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/when-vessels-break/

As the news dies down - may the wisdom and humility in those who stand before others and proclaim the gospel in word or in song increase. I have fallen publicly before - its not easy - but its also perhaps the best thing that happened to me. Of course its better to live with no reason to fall - I just don't know that many people like that. God in his love and mercy, pleases privately with us long before exposing us - but the power of sin is in its secrecy - so let the truth some forth - and let it set us free.