1 May 2012

Jesus Heals Cancer billboard complaint upheld

3:24 pm on 1 May 2012

A complaint about a church billboard which said Jesus Heals Cancer has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.

It was erected in Napier in February this year but resident Jody Condin, whose three-year-old son has leukaemia, objected.

Ms Condin says the sign was disrespectful and hurtful to those who have lost family to cancer, or are caring for relatives and waiting for them to die.

The Equippers Church was responsible for the billboard - which has been taken down - and says it was never its intention to offend.

Senior pastor Lyle Penisula says the statement was meant as a message of hope, which he stands by.

However, the Advertising Standards Authority says it was expressed in a manner that denoted a strong absolute statement of fact, when it should be expressed as a statement of belief.