Australian Catholic University issues warning to students over ‘coercive cult’ on campus

Australian Catholic University is urging students to act with caution, after reports Shincheonji Church of Jesus recruiters were targeting people at its Melbourne campus.

One of the nation’s major universities has urged students to act with caution, after it was alerted to a “manipulative and coercive” group with cult-like behaviour preying on young people at its Melbourne campus.

Australian Catholic University provost and deputy vice chancellor Prof Julie Cogin sent an email to students last month warning them about pseudo-religious group Shincheonji Church of Jesus (SCJ).

More than 1000 Victorians follow the South-Korean group, which was established by 92-year-old religious leader Lee Man Hee, in 1984.

Members believe the self-proclaimed messiah has Jesus’ spirit “dwelling inside him” and are awaiting “Judgement Day” where only 144,000 believers globally will be immortalised.

Prof Cogin told the Saturday Herald Sun the university sounded the alarm following an increase in reports SCJ members were attempting to recruit students at its Melbourne campus last semester.

“While we encourage people to explore their spirituality and religious beliefs, we are concerned about any organisation that seeks to coerce and control its members and is secretive about its existence and motivations,” she said.

“(Students) have been advised to act with caution to protect their physical and emotional safety from unwanted approaches, which includes being careful about revealing too much personal information.”

Lee Man Hee, founder of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

In her email to students, Prof Cogin described SCJ as a “manipulative and coercive” group that isn’t recognised by Australian authorities as a church, despite including “church” and “Jesus” in its name.

“It’s activities bear the hallmarks more of a cult than a religious organisation,” she said.

Former believers previously told the Herald Sun, the group targeted vulnerable students who were searching for their life’s purpose.

They also said recruiters loitered in public places including shopping centres, train stations, libraries and universities.

At ACU, Prof Cogin said students were unknowingly being approached by SCJ with “harmless-sounding requests” such as asking for directions, completing a survey or going for a coffee.

The campus libraries and cafes were also hotspots, with most SCJ recruiters believed to not be enrolled at the campus.

“(Recruiters) often encourage students to attend activities away from campus, sometimes referred to as ‘bible studies’ but without any details provided,” Prof Cogin said.

“What appears to be an innocent outreach of friendship can become manipulative, drawing people away from their family, friends and trusted networks, developing into demands for huge commitments of time and even money.”

Australian Catholic University’s Melbourne campus was targeted.

The email included a list of “red flags” for students to watch out for, such as being told to drop their studies, spend less time with their family and being asked to donate money for spiritual reasons.

“We advise you to act with caution to protect your physical and emotional safety from unwanted approaches, which includes being careful about revealing too much personal information,” Prof Cogin said.

The email concluded with a list of avenues where students could receive support, with Prof Cogin assuring the university will support its students at any stage of their involvement with such organisations.

“Students can raise concerns or seek support from a member of staff if they or someone they know has been targeted and they are not sure what to do,” she said.

“They are also able to access free and confidential services.”

The Saturday Herald Sun made multiple attempts to contact Shincheonji Church of Jesus for comment, including two teachers at the Melbourne branch, but didn’t receive a response.