Clergy sex abuse is one of the main subjects that occupy my thoughts and blogging that is not strictly an SBC matter. I read a good bit on such things and occasionally write about it partly because of the appalling ignorance and ineptness among pastors and churches in handling such things.
Yesterday, the lengthy, near exhaustive, independent report on the Penn State, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno child sex abuse scandal was released. It has some jaw-dropping information.
Consider this paragraph:
Yesterday, the lengthy, near exhaustive, independent report on the Penn State, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno child sex abuse scandal was released. It has some jaw-dropping information.
Consider this paragraph:
"Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State," Freeh wrote. "The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized."
And this:
"None of them [Joe Paterno and other PSU leaders] even spoke to Sandusky about his conduct. In short, nothing was done and Sandusky was allowed to continue with impunity."
Wait a minute. Joe never sat Jerry down for a talk, to ask questions, to issue warnings?
Shocking.
The preference, apparently, was for the old ship keep sailing along smoothly. No boat-rocking (or possibly sinking) scandal must be allowed because the cost to the football program and university would be too great.
No one followed this by saying, "...and to hell with the children being abused" but it is impossible to conclude that such was the attitude of leaders.
Not us. Not the church. Not the called ministers of the Word.
I wouldn't make that bet.
9 comments:
Any institution, whether it is religious or secular should make protecting children from physical and sexual abuse their top priority. Both Pennsylvania cases, the Sandusky case and the case of Monsignor Lynn, who endangered children by allowing them to be exposed to Pedophile Priests, highlights the need for a deafening outcry from an enraged public. Enough! Legislation needs to be passed to extend the Statute of Limitations for reporting child sexual-abuse, so those victimized by the Sandusky's and the Pedophile Ministers of this world get their day in court and confront their accusers.
The other glaring irony is that a state-sponsored institution has allowed an independent investigation into its failures. The SBC, on the other hand, continues to ignore the actions of of some of our leaders who have done that same things the Penn State leaders did (Jack Graham, anyone?).
In other words, the world is schooling us on this issue.
The world is getting wise to the folderol of religion.
Recent Gallop Poll reveals that religious institutions have lost and are losing their way among many in the country.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/155690/Confidence-Organized-Religion-Low-Point.aspx?utm_source=tagrss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=syndication
That's old news. An occasional topic here is how SBC churches have handled clergy sex abuse.
"Not us. Not the church. Not the called ministers of the Word. I wouldn't make that bet."
Underscoring your point, unless you think it is not worth underscoring.
I wouldn't make the bet that all SBC clergy would handle similar child abuse situations in their churches better than the powerful PSU leaders did.
Part of the reason why is that there is simple ignorance about such things along with the inherent tendency to tamp down issues that might harm or embarrass the institution.
For the most part SBC leaders counsel clergy and churches properly in these matters, although some advocate stronger steps.
I wonder who St. Vincent College & Archabbey will bring in to sort things out. I hope they do it before training camp opens on their campus for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Interestingly, a Rooney is Nowicki’s lawyer. Anyone know a sportswriter for SI who needs an assignment?
http://www.misconductinlatrobe.com/archabbot-nowickis-deposition/
eiWanteI wonder who St. Vincent College & Archabbey will bring in to sort things out. I hope they do it before training camp opens on their campus for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Interestingly, a Rooney is Nowicki’s lawyer. Anyone know a sportswriter for SI who needs an assignment?
http://www.misconductinlatrobe.com/archabbot-nowickis-deposition/
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