Fury over teenage girl's secret Mormon baptism

And the Mormons even baptised a 15-year-old girl without her Catholic parents' consent in a bizarre ceremony.

The events bear a striking similarity to a current EastEnders plot involving character Sarah Hills who joined a religious group.

The local incident only came to light when Lawrence Theaker accidentally opened a letter addressed to his daughter Angela which revealed she had been baptised and was now known as "Sister Theaker".

About six other youngsters have also been involved with the group after members targeted the area in the last few weeks.

A horrified Mr Theaker and his wife, Joan, who run the Aqueduct pub in Bolton Road, Ewood, are now demanding a full explanation from the church.

Joan said: "I was absolutely stunned when I found this out. We are Catholics and I can't believe they can just do this to a 15-year-old girl. "How can they get away with enticing young, vulnerable girls and baptising them without any consent from their parents?

"Everyone should be aware of what's going on. It's just not right."

Angela, 15, a pupil at Darwen Vale School, says she felt obliged to join the group when smooth-talking members approached her and a friend in the street.

She said: "They seemed really nice. They wore nice suits and had lovely American accents.

"I went to a meeting and they promised me all sorts, including the chance of going to America.

"They never asked my age before I was baptised. I had to strip down to my underwear and they give me a white gown.

"All the members were dressed in white as they watched me go under water in a pool in their church.

"They asked us all sorts of questions. They wanted to know if I had ever been a lesbian, slept with anyone in my family or taken drugs. They also wanted to know my mum's maiden name. "It's only now I realise how stupid I've been, but at that time I was just drawn to them.

"I'd urge anyone approached by these people to stay away."

Angela and her friend, Norden High school pupil Vicky Cunningham, 14, of Longshaw Street, Blackburn, attended meetings SEVEN days a week at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lambeth Street, Blackburn and at a private address in Ewood.

They said they lied to their parents, telling them they were going to birthday parties, swimming or even to friends' homes to study.

Vicky said: "The Mormons told us that if we stuck with them we would go to heaven but if we ever left we would end up in hell forever.

"We were told to never talk to lads and they said we shouldn't touch tea or coffee because it contained drugs.

"When we didn't attend meetings they would phone me up to ask me why. We both felt under a lot of pressure to attend and were too scared to mention it to anyone."

The youngsters said they were each given a "bible" called the Book of Mormon, which they were encouraged to read.

The girls claim members - known as "elders" - also told them that when they started working, they would have to hand over ten per cent of their wages. During meetings, they would be put in either the "youth group" or "women's society".

Vicky's mum Suzette, said: "We hope this will be a warning to all children. They must stay away from these people. It's almost like they've been brainwashed."

A member of the group with an American accent, who would only call himself Elder Lowry, said: "We help people repent.

"The girl who was baptised told us she was 16. She looked at least 16 to me. We don't ask for proof of age and they don't have to sign anything declaring their age.

"If someone tells us they are 16 we believe them, that's why we don't ask parents' permission.

"It's quite right that she would be baptised in white. There are male and female changing rooms. She would have been watched by both sexes.

"We don't do anything wrong. We've never threatened anyone with hell if they leave the group.

"I'm going to end this conversation now. I don't feel comfortable."

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