Judge approves €8k donation from schizophrenia sufferer to Mormon Church

A judge has given a mentally-ill man the go-ahead to donate nearly £7,000 (€8,450) to the Mormon Church following a hearing in a specialist court in the UK.

The man’s mother had objected to him being allowed to make the £6,832 (€8,250) donation to the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

But District Judge Anselm Eldergill said evidence had not demonstrated that the man’s desire to make the donation was “delusional”.

He made the ruling after a hearing in the Court of Protection – where judges analyse issues relating to vulnerable and sick people – in London.

A local authority given responsibility for the man’s affairs by the court had asked for a direction as to whether his request to donate could be authorised.

The judge said he had also taken the view that the man had “capacity to litigate” in the proceedings.

No-one was identified by the judge in a written ruling.

Judge Eldergill said the man was 40 and lived in supported accommodation. He had had been involved with mental health services for many years and had been diagnosed with conditions including schizophrenia.

The judge said the man wanted to donate 10% of a recent inheritance.

He said he had heard evidence from the man, the man’s mother and psychiatrists before reaching a decision.

Judge Eldergill said the man had told the court: “I simply wish to abide by the Old Testament principle of giving a 10% tithe. This is standard practice in my church; not me being exploited.

“Generally, I wish to enjoy the right of obeying my church’s teachings on financial matters. With regards to my financial affairs, my decision to give a tithe to my church is both rational and Biblical.”

The man had said he had given a “tithe” of around £1,600 (€1,900) to “his church” about a decade ago when he was “well” and had told the court: “I had been tithing since early 2004 when I discovered ... the verse in which members of my church are commanded to start tithing in this way.”

Judge Eldergill said the man’s mother had told the court that she was “surprised and distressed” that the court was giving consideration to the request to donate.

“We have no idea how much pressure is put upon (him) by his church to donate or tithe his money,” she had said.

“I am personally strongly opposed to (him) being permitted to make a donation of this size.”