American televangelist Benny Hinn has told millions of TV viewers that he thought Prime Minister Patrick Manning to be a “foolish man”, after an incident which occurred during his last visit here.
Hinn’s stinging remarks were raised by Oropouche MP Roodal Moonilal at a special Parliament sitting on Wednesday.
Manning said not a word, but remained seated with a smile during Moonilal’s contribution.
The Express got hold of a copy of the tape of Hinn’s programme, This is Your Day, broadcasted worldwide and locally on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
The following are Hinn’s words verbatim:
“Years ago I was in Trinidad…this man was sitting on the platform and I said… you will be the next Prime Minister and he is till now. I was in his (Manning) office a few months ago… he brought with him a very foolish woman who called herself a prophetess.
“He came to the room with this woman and said “I have a gift for you”. So he looked at me, said this is the woman, she has a word for you… I was not happy and when I am not happy people will know it.
“He (Manning) said I want her to pray for you and give her the word, I take her with me everywhere he said (Manning).
“God speaks to me through her. She has been a great blessing to the Government. I’m thinking you foolish man.
“This woman reaches out to touch me and I grab her hand in mid air, ‘don’t touch me’ I said. Shaken, I said Mr Prime Minister, I honour you but I don’t know who this woman is…nobody will lay hands on me and I walked out of the room. Whether it is the Prime Minister or President, nobody lays hands on me. I don’t know what spirit is in her. Don’t let people touch you.”
Moonilal had said that the Opposition was waiting with bated breath for the identity of this mystery prophetess to be revealed.
In a statement on the matter, Pastor Rev Levi Duncan, of the Calvary Revival Centre, confirmed that a delegation of three, including Manning and himself, went to Crowne Plaza to see Hinn. Duncan did not name who the third person was.
He also confirmed that the woman attempted to pray with Hinn by laying her hands on him, as is the practice in the scriptures, but Hinn objected. Duncan added though that their meeting continued and ended amicably.
• Original title: Benny Hinn tells millions of viewers ‘Manning is a foolish man’