ALL Nations Christian Fellowship general superintendent Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca allegedly took a sick woman for a steam bath at a massage parlour at Sports City in Suva as part of his divine intervention mission, the High Court in Suva heard yesterday.
Mr Ratabacaca is charged with two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge Justice Paul Madigan.
The first prosecution witness told the court of how Mr Ratabacaca allegedly raped her at a massage parlour in June 22 last year.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) lawyer Lisiate Fotofili asked the witness how they ended up at the massage parlour, the witness responded that her visit to Mr Ratabacaca started in 2000 for healing assistance after giving birth.
She said Mr Ratabacaca told her that her sickness was in the womb and if she did not allow him to do his job, she would die.
The court heard that inside the massage parlour, Mr Ratabacaca allegedly removed the woman's towel and started touching her private parts.
She told the court she was scared but because she trusted Mr Ratabacaca as a well-known pastor, she did not leave the room or stop him.
She also informed the court that Mr Ratabacaca then asked her to face him and not to be afraid if she wanted to be healed.
The court heard that the woman left the steamed room to have her shower when Mr Ratabacaca followed her and he allegedly forcefully had sex with her.
The trial continues on Monday in the High Court in Suva.