Michael Guglielmucci

A popular pastor, songwriter and worship leader, whose hit song, "The Healer" – inspired, he said, by his own two-year struggle with aggressive terminal cancer – has confessed he never had the disease, a ruse he created to cover his addiction to pornography.

Michael Guglielmucci, who formerly led music at Edge Church International near Adelaide, Australia, has gone into hiding after his confession was read from the pulpit by his father, who is founder and head pastor of the church.

"Mike thought he could escape the pain by creating a diversion from his addiction to adult pornography, so he created the cancer scenario," Pastor Danny Guglielmucci said.

"We fully understand the questions, shock, disbelief and even anger you may feel, but Michael is struggling with a different kind of illness and is receiving professional help."

In a television interview, Guglielmucci said he had been "living a lie for a long time.

"I've been hiding who I am for so long. I can honestly say to you that the last two years have been hell for me physically, emotionally, but I never sat down and said ... let's try and fool the world."

While admitting that the disagnosis of terminal cancer was a hoax, Guglielmucci insisted the symptoms of vomiting, pain and hair loss were real – shame over his 16-year obsession with pornography manifesting itself with physical symptoms.

"This is who I am - I'm addicted to the stuff, it consumes my mind," he said.

"I'm sick and this is why I had to come up with some sort of explanation of what was happening in my body. I don't know how you can fake vomiting all over yourself night after night after night, I'm not that good an actor," he said.

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But act he did.

Guglielmucci regularly performed "The Healer" wearing oxygen tubes and steadied himself with a cane. His wife, Amanda, 29, quit work to care for him, heating towels in the microwave in the middle of the night to "give him some relief in his back."

"I never questioned it, when you love someone you trust them. I had no reason not to trust him," she told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

"Perhaps I feel a little bit foolish in this, hindsight's a fabulous thing ... but I'm trying not to beat myself up."

Guglielmucci would have his wife drop him off at the hospital for his medical visits, which she never attended with him. He also created phony doctors who sent e-mails to his family, updating them on his condition.

He spent two years playing Christian rock music to packed audiences, driving his anthem of healing and faith to No. 2 on the Australian Record Industry Association charts when it debuted as part of an album released by Hillsong Church in Sydney.

Police, however, are more interested in the pastor's Facebook page, "Praying Together for Mike Guglielmucci" - now removed - where donations were solicited.

Some donors have voiced their anger.

Alex Saint, 24, a former Edge Church International member, donated a small amount on the website, inspired by Guglielmucci's music, his strength in his disease and the recent loss of his own mother to breast cancer.

"I believed every word he said. I believed he was going through hell," Saint told the Adelaide Advertiser.

"My heart goes out to all the people who have been hurt ... to make all this up is extremely crushing for anyone who has gone through cancer. There's no better script than to be dying of cancer and giving glory to God in a Christian context ... it's the highest form of fraud."

Another donor, a grandmother identified only as Caroline, gave $800 she had saved to take her four-year-old wheelchair-bound grandson on a vacation because she thought more good would come from gifting the money.

"I feel like a real idiot," she said. "I saw Michael talk and sing and he's so very charismatic. ... but what a con."

Pastor Danny Guglielmucci has assured church members restitution will gladly be made "if people want their money back."

Guglielmucci's attorney told The Advertiser last week his client had no plans to report to police despite church officials advising him to reveal details of any cash raised.

Considering the impact of Guglielmucci's public ministry, it's no surprise the news of his fall has generated comment online among fans and foes.

"He will find peace behind bars I think," wrote poster allblackstorm on YouTube.

rastakim16333 was more forbearing, writing, "'Healer' song is God breathed ... I believe that ... and Mike Guglielmucci is one of the millions [of] Christians who are struggling with the same temptation ... I still believe in [Pastor] Mike and love him ... I am praying for him ... God will use this song to heal ... those who are hurting ..."

"Who are we to condemn him? God will forgive him ... Let's pray for his relationship with God instead of shouting stupid things," posted Hansie21, a sentiment echoed by Rev. Andrew Evans, a supporter of Guglielmucci.

"My gut feeling is that people will forgive him," he said.

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