Catholic Child Sex Abuse Plague Cover-Up Explodes: Christian Brothers 'Didn't Consider Sex Abuse Of Students A Crime'
When Christian Brothers ran children’s homes in Western Australia in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they did not consider sexually abusing students a crime, a royal commission has heard Tuesday as the Vatican sent a message via the United Nations Monday claiming it knows better now. If so, critics, many of whom are ralllying in both Perth and Geneva this week, ask why the isn’t the church prosecuting priests guilty of the crime, and instead, continuing to move them to other parishes or even countries to avoid prosecution?
Brother Anthony Shanahan, a former province leader of the Christian Brothers in Western Australia (WA), gave evidence Tuesday at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Perth where a large rally was staged protesting Catholic sex abuse of children in their care.
Protest against Catholic child sex abuse in Ireland
The inquiry in WA is examining alleged sexual and physical abuse in four homes run by the Brothers in Perth, Tardun and Bindoon between 1947 and 1968. The mindset was that abuse was not thought of “first and foremost” as a crime, but instead, a moral fault or failing, a sin, a mistake.
“I think they saw it as something that was abhorrent, harmful, although I don’t think they understood it as harmful in the way we would now, in terms of consequences for the victim, but something that was abhorrent and harmful and that was the way they dealt with it,” he claimed.
Justice Peter McClellan, chair of the commission, described that attitude as “somewhat extraordinary.”
Silence is collusion
Brothers accused of sexually abusing students at boarding houses were simply sent to day schools where it was thought there might be “less opportunity for misconduct,” according to Brother Shanahan. When Justice McLellan asked whether it was wise for brothers who abused children to be moved to another facility where children were present, Brother Shanahan answered, “No.”
Aside from ruining the lives of tens of thousands of Catholic children back then however, the priestly sex abuse of children and youth scandal is alive and well today, according to survivors. In Geneva this week, groups representing victims of clerical sexual abuse said after the hearing that predator priests were still being moved to other parishes, sometimes to other countries, to protect them against possible criminal charges, Voice of America reports.
Coverup of hidden plague, cycle of violence
The commission In Australia heard four brothers accused of abusing boys in Western Australia, the subject of charges. Only one was jailed, according to ABC News Australia.
In fact, 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail; 60% of sexual assaults are never reported to police; approximately 2/3s of sexual assaults are committed by someone known by the victim, and in the United States, every two minutes, another American is sexually assaulted according to Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
Average re-conviction rate for a child molester is 20%; percent of children sexually abused that will become sexually abusive later in life is 30%; and the percent of sexual assaults that occur between 6:00pm and 12:00am is 43%, according to Statistic Brain.
Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect globally, including in Australia and the United States. Every year, over 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving over 6 million children (a report can include multiple children).
“The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations – losing on average between four and seven children daily to child abuse and neglect,” a different statistic reported by Child Help. Children with parents abusing alcohol and other drugs were three times more likely to be abused and more than four times more likely to be neglected than children from non-abusing families. As many as two-thirds of people in alcohol and other drug abuse treatment programs report being abused or neglected as children.
Over one third adolescents with a history of being abused or neglected will have a substance use disorder before their 18th birthday, three times that of youth without a report of abuse or neglect. (Child Help National Statistics)
Many adults in prison were sexually abused as children. 14% of all men in prison and 36% of women in prison in the USA were abused as children, about twice that seen in the general population. (Harlow, C. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. (1999). Prior abuse reported by inmates and probationers (NCJ 172879) bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/parip.pdf)
Children who experience child abuse and neglect are approximately 9 times more likely to become involved in criminal activity, yet most offenders are never held accountable. (Long – Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Welfare Information Gateway. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013. www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.cfm)
Climate of Catholic Sex Abuse of Children, Youth Impunity
The proceedings were delayed in Perth Tuesday when a man had to be ejected from the hearing room after yelling at the commissioners, accusing them of a cover-up.
The Vatican told critics of its sexual abuse record on Tuesday that it had developed model child protection policies over the last decade and that its accusers should not stay “fossilised in the past” when attitudes were different, according to Voice of America. Addressing the United Nations Committee on Torture, the papal ambassador in Geneva admitted the Roman Catholic Church had protected priests who molested minors but had not done so in years because it understood the issue better.
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi responded to questions Monday from the committee, that grilled him on the Vatican’s record and called for a permanent investigation system to end what it called a “climate of impunity” within the Church.
“Everyone knew that raping children was a crime and it should have been reported to the police,” said Barbara Blaine, founder and president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). “They are not committing themselves to remove the sexual predators from the priesthood or from ministry.
“They are not punishing bishops who conceal and cover up the sex crimes,” Blaine asserted.
The Catholic sexual abuse scandal has haunted the church for over two decades. It became a major issue in the United States about 10 years ago. Since then it has disgraced churches in Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Australia, the Netherlands and other countries, badly tarnishing the Church’s image.
Another U.N. committee, reviewing compliance with a convention on children’s rights, accused the Vatican in February of systematically turning a blind eye to decades of abuse and attempting to cover up sex crimes committed by priests.
Sources: ABC News, Voice of America, Child Help National Statistics, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
Photo Credits: Clerical Whispers, Press TV,
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Just say 3 Hail Mary’s, 2 Our Father and Bob’s your uncle, matie.
As if child abuse is just a Catholic thing. Really people, your doing more harm than good in advocating for the rights of the child when you put all your focus on the Church, which is a reflection of the community as a whole. Sexual abuse is more prevalent in the home/family than any other institution, so should we therefore separate parents from their children too? If you can’t trust your parent or a pastor then whose left? I’d like to see this dialogue take hold, but I doubt it ever will.
So true, Rose, except that the Catholic Church is making headlines this week – and is repeatedly covering up its “sins” the rest of the world calls “crimes.”
Should we separate children from parents sexually abusing them and prosecute their parents? Yes – as long as prosecuting entails treatment for sex addictions. It’s a crime. It violates the rights of the child. Are you suggesting children should remain in a home where they are being sexually assaulted?
Your suggestion for dialogue is paramount to solving this plague ruining the lives of children throughout adulthood. Thank you very much, Rose.
Rose, Please don’t be blinded by your faith. It’s beyond shocking when one first learns the truth. These horrendous acts were perpetrated by ungodly mortal men of the cloth and their subculture cult — satanism. Satan, the great deceiver.
I encourage you to research these hearings regarding the Vatican child crimes. It goes well beyond pedophilia and cover-ups, including; Satanic worship, child sacrifice, rape, torture, and trafficking. This has gone on for centuries in the Roman Catholic Church and includes every papacy since at least the mid 1700′s up to and including current Pope Francis, Benedict, and John Paul II.
The fact that Benedict shockingly stepped down unexpectedly (which is unheard of) is directly tied to what these hearings are about — his papacy knew they were about to be exposed. There has already been dozens of witness testimonies from victims and ranking officials (whistle blowers) within the church.
The veil has lifted, light is shining on TRUTH. It’s TIME for these self-proclaimed Satanists to pay their heavy debts to society for countless murders, torture, and abuse of hundreds of thousands of young souls. They will be tried and sentenced appropriately, and if lucky will die in prison — as opposed to public crucifixion by angry mobs.
Yes, child abuse/pedophilia runs rampant worldwide, not just the catholic church. But WE must start somewhere, and the RCC has been one of if not THE biggest LIES in the history of mankind. Their time is up, and the wealthiest, most powerful church on earth will be crumble soon (blink of an eye?) — the People are finally awakening — hopefully this will include you.
This was exactly the situation in Canada at that same time even if not now.
I am speaking from personal knowledge here.
The victims were bought off and the offenders were shipped elsewhere to do it again.
Being a long time student of the effects of this conduct I can agree that it really does destroy lives.
It is certain that most of the offenders are victims themselves.
There is a solution but it is not taught or practiced by the Church. The Bible has clear instructions about this.
No matter. The Vatican and Rome will fall very, very soon. That government will be replaced by the first fully righteous government on earth.
However, not before the teachings of rape, murder and war reach a peak resulting in the deaths of more than half of our race.
Hey, it’s just a little sin. Right?
Genuine Catholic clerics don’t sexually abuse young people. Homosexual infiltrators are responsible for committing such crimes. Everyone — except Deborah Dupre — seems to know this.
Christ warned that scandals would arise — but woe to those who create them — and woe to bigoted hags such as Deborah Dupre for sensationalizing them with lies.
Hit a hot button there, Anonymous? Yours looks like a homophobic comment to me, my friend, as well as a Catholic church apologist for crimes committed in it.
Why hide behind “Anonymous” when making such comments and personal attacks on the author, intolerable on most news sites.
If this is simply a problem of “homosexual infiltrators,” woe is the Catholic church because it’s plagued with such agents.
As far as Christ warning about scandals, so have millions of others, regardless of their religion or spiritual beliefs.
By the way, name one statement in this article that is a lie instead of making a general statement about “lies” in it. I think you cannot. It is filled with facts, quotes as well as references. Therefore, you use personal attacks. Looks like it’s back to confession with you.
I don’t condescend to argue with lying bigoted insulting wind-bag hags such as yourself– but your sick sleazy diabolical article is riddled with twisted facts and outright lies from beginning to end.
If you think you can slander the Holy See and get away with it, think again.
So the Catholic hierarchy that has covered up this utter depravity, for many years, clear up to the Pope, must be “genuine challenged.” You drive the getaway car, you’re a conspirator and an equal offender in any crime. One could never say this is all Catholics, but the disingenuousness runs very deep, when covering up utter depravity has been organizational, when all this Catholic mea culpa has arisen in the same way criminals only become sorry when caught. Where did doing the right thing, the demands of true Christianity and obedience to the Lord and the Holy Spirit get lost, perhaps the truth that Spirit was never there, in the first place?
Matthew 7
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Romans 1
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Anonymous makes an excellent point. True priests do not hurt children. Homosexual infiltrators do. BTW, about 4% of Catholic priests were involved in the sex scandals while 10% of protestant ministers were involved. Sexual abuse is rampant everywhere today. The only way to stop it is for everyone to start living by the teachings of the Church. The Church is the solution, not the problem. So quit bashing it.
Yes, sex abuse is rampant, Sevus.
If the Church is the solution, however, wouldn’t it would be setting the just and holy example by holding the perp priests accountable, instead of covering up their crimes and sending them to other parishes or other countries?
If the church is the solution, wouldn’t it be setting a healthy, just example for its congregations instead of being complicit by covering up the plague?
Hi Anonymous, you are a piece of filth. subhuman, devoid of empathy or understanding of the world you live in. Read this. All of it.. If you think the Catholic Church should be exonerated, I would love to see you in a court of law with the evidence of innocence.
This is a copy and paste. Not my words or research. Just my duty to share.
I am getting a lot of hate-email from buy-bull bangers complaining about the recent child molestation scandals to hit organized religion. Catholics are accusing me of conspiring with “The Jews” to destroy Christianity while the Rabbis who get caught dipping their wicks in the wrong candles are screaming anti-Semitism. All of this anger is. of course, displaced. These people within these organizations of their own free will engaged in barbaric behaviour with children, then used the indoctrinated mythology of their organization to try to cover it all up. The scale and the historical duration of the crimes shows that this is not a problem with just a few corrupted individuals but with the entity known as organized religion as a whole. Sexual abuse is endemic throughout Catholicism, Protestantism, Methodism, Mormonism, Judaism, and a whole bunch of other isms. It is not the people; it is the institution of organized religion itself that is condemned by its own actions, whether crime of commission (crime of emission?) or crime of cover-up.
03/06/02 Church will pay $57 million to settle child sex abuse cases. Just step right up to those collection plates, folks.
02/23/02 Sexual abuse by priests scandal erupts in Philadelphia The blackest of hearts lurk under those white robes.
02/23/02 Archbishop hit with molestation scandal Maybe it’s easier to keep count of the clergy who AREN’T deviants
02/10/02 80 priests in Boston (one out of every ten) accused of molestation Okay, one more time; Just WHY are we supposed to think Islam is bad?
02/12/02 I guess Boston got a little too hot for them
03/10/02 Florida Bishop Resigns Over Molestation Has it sunk in yet that under those white robes beat black hearts?
03/15/02 Catholics getting fed up with recent church scandals They should read up on the history of Pope Alexander the 6th.
03/17/02 Church Sex Scandal Continues To Explode Across The Nation It’s going to take a LOT of collection plates to pay off this mess.
03/17/02 New York Cardinal covered-up for molesting priests.
03/17/02 Collection of stories about church sex scandal
03/17/02 Sex scandal engulfing church is far from over
03/17/02 Greek Orthodox Priests and monks caught calling phone sex chat lines Just so you don’t think I am only picking on the Catholics.
03/17/02 Catholic Church wrestles with pedophilia I think “wrestling” is what got them into this mess in the first place.
03/17/02 Scandal puts Law legacy, church credibility at risk
03/18/02 Church newspaper questions whether celibacy should be required of priests They AREN’T Celibate. That’s the problem!
03/20/02 And the Presbyterians….
03/20/02 Yet another church sex scandal “Oh come all ye faithful?”
03/22/02 Another priest suspended over sexual allegations If the self-appointed spokesmen for the deity can’t control their own lives, they certainly have no business telling anyone else how to run theirs.
03/14/02 Church Sex Scandal Crisis Spreads Sort of puts a new slant on “Don we now our gay apparel”
03/24/02 Church bribed witnesses and faked reports to protect molesting priests Has it sunk in yet that commercialized religion is a fraud?
04/2/02 Church settles with woman made pregnant by priest
03/30/02 Los Angeles Cardinal besieged by shady mortuary deal, cost overruns on new Cathedral, accusations of celebrity-chasing, and, oh yes, there’s that pedophilia thing.
04/4/02 Okay, so we have this priest who spends the night with a male prostitute because he’s under stress, then files a false police report claiming his car was stolen when the prostitute gets arrested on a drug charge while driving the priest’s car. So, how is it that the “all knowing” God these guys insist is real allowed this clown (and as well all the child molesters) to get a job at his branch office in the first place?
04/6/02 Los Angeles’ Cardinal Mahoney Accused of Sexual Abuse The good news: it’s a woman who is accusing him.
04/12/02 Sexual Abuse Cases Hit Church Finances “C.mon, c.mon, pass those plates along, we gotta be in court in an hour!” 04/12/02 Cardinal Egan and two NY Bishops covered up for molesting priest 04/14/02 Wisconsin Archbishop Covered up for Molesting Priest “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me….”
04/18/02 450 new abuse victims surface in Boston
04/26/02 Boston child-molesting priest taught children how to inject drugs! Religion is a thousand-year-old con-game, preying on fear and superstition to enslave people with beliefs. Under the whitest robes lurk blackest hearts! 04/29/02 Girl victims overlooked in horror stories of clergy sexual abuse.
04/29/02 Child molestation scandal has affected 46 out of fifty states.
Child molestation in the Mormon church.
Victims of alleged abuse come forward after Baptist pastor’s arrest, ABP, 3/5/10 (Hezekiah Stallworth)
More accusers come forward as pastor admits to sexual abuse, Tyler Morning Telegraph, 3/4/10 (Hezekiah Stallworth)
Awaiting DNA results in sexual abuse case, Odessa American, 3/4/10 (Robert John Weber)
Local pastor arrested, charged with indecency with a child, Palestine Herald-Press, 2/26/10 (Hezekiah Stallworth)
Baseball coach sentenced for sex abuse, WAVY-TV, 2/23/10 (Dennis Ray Collins)
Pell City man indicted for sexual abuse, sodomy, St. Clair News Aegis (Alabama), 2/18/10 (Gregory Lee Bowman)
Former youth minister pleads guilty to abuse, ABP, 2/17/10 (Jack Duffer)
Haiti judge frees 8 of 10 American missionaries, Associated Press (Austin American Statesman), 2/17/10
Ex-youth pastor sentenced in child molestations, Gainesville Times, 2/16/10 (Phillip Glenn Terrell)(Afterwards, Southern Baptist church, Emmanuel Baptist, changes its name to Heritage Fellowship.)
Pastor charged with sex crimes against children, WTSP-TV (West Florida), 2/16/10 (Arley Atchley)
Counselor with Free Will Baptist Home for Children charged with sex crimes against children, WLTX-TV (South Carolina), 2/15/10 (Arley Atchley)
Detained Americans seek distance from adviser, Associated Press (Miami Herald), 2/14/10 (Former legal adviser “may be wanted for human trafficking in El Salvador.”)
Church adviser may face warrant, New York Times, 2/13/10 (“An order is listed in the United States national crime database for a man with that name and birthdate to be arrested on sight….”)
Former youth pastor guilty of sex assaults, Daily Press (VA), 2/11/10 (Jack Duffer)
Accused sexual predator a high ranking member of a Central Texas church, KVUE-TV (Austin, TX), 2/11/10 (Robert Riffle)(with video)
Pastor charged with criminal sexual conduct, WXYZ-TV (Detroit), 2/9/10 (Russel Schaller)
Haitian officer: U.S. Baptist team made earlier attempt to take children, Christian Post, 2/9/10
Politics and the Haitian kidnapping case, Wall Street Journal, 2/9/10 (quotes by Frank Page and Richard Land, saying Obama will further alienate evangelicals)
Missionaries’ Haiti trip no gift of charity, by Eugene Robinson, Dallas Morning News, 2/8/10
Idahoans in Haiti: We fear for our lives, Idaho Statesman, 2/7/10 (“8 of the group say leader Laura Silsby is ‘lying’.”)
Local Baptist camp being sued, Commonwealth Journal (Somerset, KY), 2/6/10 (Claude Steven Harmon)
Southern Baptists ask Obama to help 10 missionaries in Haiti, Christian Post, 2/6/10
Police: Church officials didn’t report sex abuse, New Hampshire Union Leader, 2/5/10 (Timothy Dillmuth, Richard Eland, Michael Wedge, & Robert Gagnon)
Prosecuting missionaries good for Haiti, families, church, by Fritz Gutwein, ABP, 2/5/10
Church seeks forgiveness for mission team detained in Haiti, ABP, 2/5/10
Southern Baptist leaders ask Obama to intervene on behalf of missionaries, ABP, 2/5/10
10 Americans charged in Haiti with kidnapping, AP, 2/4/10
Lawyer seeks release of U.S. missionaries in Haiti, AP, 2/4/10 (All 10 are charged on child kidnapping and criminal association.)
SBC official says he believes detained missionaries acted in good faith, ABP, 2/4/10
Missionary case illuminates plight of Haiti’s orphans, Wall Street Journal, 2/3/10 (“…reports that the group was warned away from its plan.”)
Parents tell of children they entrusted to detained Americans, New York Times, 2/2/10
Case stokes Haiti’s fears for children, and itself, New York Times, 2/1/10
U.S. church group knew it was doing wrong, CTV News Montreal, 2/01/10
Haiti: U.S. Baptists knew they were wrong, CBS News, 2/01/10
Baptist group arrested in Haiti denies trafficking charge, ABP, 2/01/10
Protecting Haitian children from harm, inadvertent or deliberate, BaptistPlanet 2/1/10
When a disorganized religion decides it is going to ‘care for’ your children, Bassenco’s Blog on the Lillypad, 2/1/10
Pulpit Predators: It’s not just Father so and so…, NEWD magazine, January 2010
Baptist camp hires interim to replace director charged with pedophilia, ABP, 1/29/10 (Steve Carter)
Are we Southern Baptist leaders indirect accomplices to Matt Baker’s murder of his wife?, Grace and Truth to You blog, 1/27/10
Long road to appeal for Matt Baker, KCEN-TV, 1/26/10 (Matt Baker)
Former pastor plans to appeal murder conviction, ABP, 1/26/10 (Matt Baker)(Pastor Wade Burleson says that someone in SBC “needs to issue some kind of statement that takes responsibility for letting this pastor slip through the cracks when attempted rape and other sexual crimes were reported to religious authorities….”)
Former associate pastor arrested on child sex charge, WLWT-TV (Ohio/Kentucky), 1/25/10 (John Wayne Diehl)
Former minister pleads guilty to child molestation charges, Gainesville Times, 1/23/10 (Phillip Glenn Terrell)
Mother says she forgives former pastor who killed her daughter, ABP, 1/22/10 (Matt Baker)
Additional sex charge for former minister, The Leaf Chronicle (TN), 1/21/10 (Jonathan Tyler Giles)
Ex-pastor who killed wife gets 65-year prison term, Associated Press (Sacramento Bee), 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)(“During sentencing…four women testified that Baker had made unwanted sexual advances toward them including one who complained to police of an attempted sexual assault.”)
Women say convicted Texas ex-pastor made advances, Associated Press (San Antonio Express-News), 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)
Former Baptist pastor sentenced in wife’s murder, ABP, 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)
Matt Baker found guilty of murdering his wife, Waco Tribune-Herald, 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)
Former Texas minister Matt Baker found guilty of killing wife and faking her suicide note, Associated Press (NY Daily News), 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)
Preacher Matt Baker guilty of killing wife, could get life in prison as jury hears new sex evidence, CBS News 48 Hours, 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)
Former Texas pastor convicted of killing wife, Associated Press (FOX News), 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)
Ex-pastor faces life sentence after conviction, Associated Press (Times Online), 1/21/10 (Matt Baker)(“… alleged sexual advances toward more than a dozen other women . . . . including some underage girls.. . . Jurors were instructed that to find Baker guilty, they had to agree on two things: that Baker drugged his wife and that he suffocated her with a pillow.”)
Women say convicted Texas ex-pastor made advances, Associated Press (Charlotte Observer), 1/20/10 (Matt Baker)(Woman testifies that Baker was “forcible and aggressive.” She says, “I had to use all my strength to keep him off of me and from taking my clothes off.”)
Sentencing phase for Matt Baker begins , KXXV-TV, 1/20/10 (Matt Baker)(with video)
Jury finds Baker guilty of murder; punishment phase begins Thursday, KWTX-TV, 1/20/10 (Matt Baker)(with video)
Former Baptist preacher found guilty of murder, ABP, 1/20/10 (Matt Baker)
Ex-mistress testifies in former Baptist pastor’s murder trial, ABP, 1/20/10 (Matt Baker)
State rests after day that includes former Baker mistress on the stand, KXXV-TV, 1/19/10 (Matt Baker)(with videos)
Erin Moriarty: Matt Baker lied to me, but did he kill his wife? CBS News 48 Hours, 1/19/10 (Matt Baker)
Ex-mistress says Texas minister admitted killing wife, Associated Press (Sacramento Bee), 1/19/10 (Matt Baker)
Church leaders struggle to protect kids from sex abuse, The Sacramento Bee, 1/19/10 (“Southern Baptists are not required to screen any church workers.”)
Nickelsville pastor found guilty of sexual battery, Kingsport Times News, 1/13/10 (Grover Bernard Lewis)
Trial underway for former Baptist preacher charged with murder, ABP, 1/12/10 (Matt Baker)
Pastor’s trial on sex abuse allegations underway today, Daily Gleaner (Canada), 1/11/10 (Frederick Douglas Hanson)
Church volunteer gets 15 years for sex abuse of boys, Murfreesboro Post (TN), 1/8/10 (Matthew Maurice Jernigan)
Prosecutors allege Central Texas pastor killed wife, made multiple advances toward other women, Waco Tribune-Herald, 1/6/10 (Matt Baker)
Youth pastor indicted, Odessa American, 1/5/10 (Robert John Weber)(Senior pastor states: “We have been aware of the situation from the beginning and have re-assigned Mr. Weber to another ministry position within our church.”)
Youth pastor indicted on felony charges, KWES News West 9, 1/5/10 (Robert John Weber)
Joubert faces felony charges, The Hour, 1/4/10 (Phillip Joubert)
2009: The year in Baptist newsmakers, ABP, 1/1/2010 (“[C]lergy-sex-abuse scandals continued to rock corners of the Baptist world . . . . Christa Brown published a memoir and expose . . . .”)
Norwalk police issue arrest warrant for accused minister, The Hour, 12/31/09 (Phillip Joubert)
New charges for Norwalk minister, NBC Connecticut, 12/31/09 (Phillip Joubert)
Murder trial of former Waco-area pastor Matt Baker could take 2 weeks, KWTX News, 12/30/09 (Matt Baker)
Ohsweken pastor arrested at border facing multiple sex charges, Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada), 12/26/09 (Ronald Burning)
Pastor arrested, The Sarnia Observer (Ontario, Canada), 12/25/09 (Ronald Burning)
OC church youth leader gets jail time for having sex with minor, Southern California Public Radio, 12/24/09 (Timothy Han)
Church leader gets 90 days for sex with minor, The Orange County Register, 12/24/09 (Timothy Han)
Charges dropped against Granby pastor, Neosho Daily News, 12/22/09 (George Otis Johnston)
Sex abuse charges dropped against SW Missouri pastor, Associated Press / Belleville News Democrat, 12/22/09 (George Otis Johnston)
Kaufman County church official indicted for child porn, The Herald Banner (Greenville, TX) , 12/18/09 (David Ray Gray)
Child sex abuse charges against local radio station owner, personality, Local 15 TV (Mobile, AL), 12/16/09 (Walter Bowen)
Former church worker arrested on child sex charges, Prattville Progress, 12/16/09 (Zachary Reed Emerson)
CBF leader says ministry-excellence training can boost clergy’s image, ABP, 12/15/09 (“Christa Brown…said a little skepticism toward clergy may be a healthy thing. ‘Historically, the problem with clergy has been that people trust them too much.’”)
Former high-profile preacher admits to fathering child, ABP, 12/14/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Former pastor admits to fathering child, Florida Times-Union, 12/11/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Embattled Jacksonville pastor did father child in woman’s case, Florida Times-Union, 12/11/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Clergy drop in poll rating honesty and ethics of professions, ABP, 12/11/09
Prattville man charged with enticing child for immoral purposes, Montgomery Advertiser, 12/11/09 (Zachary Reed Emerson)
Hearing set for Granby pastor, Neosho Daily News, 12/11/09 (George Otis Johnston)
Judge sets $350K cash bond for pastor charged in rape, The Hour (Norwalk, CT), 12/9/09 (Phillip Joubert)
Police blotter: Minister rape charge, The Villager, 12/9/09 (Jeremy Fulton)
Man pleads guilty in sex abuse case, WXII-12 (NC), 12/8/09 (Guy Ellis Carr, Jr.)(“Most people just get over it,” he told the victim.)
Ex-church youth worker pleads guilty, The Edmond Sun, 12/7/09 (Charles W. “Chuck” Bryan, Jr.)
NY youth minister accused of sexually abusing girl, WCBS-TV (New York), 12/5/09 (Jeremy Fulton)
Family and former co-worker say: Minister arrested for rape had two sides, The Hour (Norwalk, CT), 12/4/09 (Phillip Joubert)
Baptist music minister arrested on child porn charges, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12/3/09 (David Ray Gray)
Abuse charge against worship leader rocks prominent Florida church, ABP, 12/1/09 (Russell Dion Lewis)(“Christa Brown…called it a ‘do-nothing’ approach that leaves Southern Baptist churches vulnerable to sexual predators.”)
Pastor charged with sexual abuse posts bail, Orland Press Register, 11/27/09 (Carlton Hammonds)
Teacher charged in sexual assault, Savannah Morning News, 11/24/09 (Mark Kit Lucas, youth minister at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Garden City, GA)
Pastor’s arrest rocks Coral Springs church, Palm Beach Post, 11/23/09 (Russell Dion Lewis)
Arrest stuns Coral Springs congregation, Miami Herald, 11/23/09 (Russell Dion Lewis)
Willows pastor arrested for alleged sexual assault on minor, Chico Enterprise-Record, 11/23/09 (Carlton Farnsworth Hammond)
Pastor charged with groping women at church food bank, Gaston Gazette, 11/14/09 (Harley Michael Keough)
Pastor charged with sexual battery, The Charlotte Observer, 11/14/09 (Harley Michael Keough)
Pastor accused of groping women at church food bank, The Star (Cleveland County, NC), 11/13/09 (Harley Michael Keough)
Additional charges filed against Baptist camp director, ABP, 11/6/09 (Stephen Carter)
Former camp director faces more charges, The Perquimans Weekly, 11/5/09 (Stephen Carter)
Former area preacher faces new sex charges, Sand Mountain Reporter (AL), 11/5/09 (Billy Masters)
Victim’s mother speaks out about son’s abuse, WAFF-48 News (AL), 11/3/09 (Billy Masters)
Pastor going back to prison, The Times-Journal (DeKalb County, AL), 11/3/09 (Billy Masters)(see prior articles of 5/22/09 and 5/26/09)
Former pastor in Texas, Illinois gets 50 years for sexual assault, ABP, 11/3/09 (William Frank Brown)
Bellmead pastor sentenced to 50 years for sexually assaulting young church member, Waco Tribune-Herald, 11/3/09 (William Frank Brown)
Former Waco-area pastor sentenced in child sexual abuse case, KWTX-TV (Waco, TX), 11/2/09 (William Frank Brown)
50 years for pastor accused of molesting young girls, KXXV-TV (Waco, TX), 11/2/09 (William Frank Brown)
DCF confirms investigation into local church leader, Action News Jax, 10/30/09 (Friendship Missionary Baptist Church)
Former Alabama pastor charged with child abuse, porn possession, ABP, 10/29/09 (Ralph Lee Aaron)
New details in minister sex abuse case, WSFA 12 News, 10/28/09 (Ralph Lee Aaron)
Pastor faces 152 counts, Andalusia Star-News, 10/28/09 (Ralph Lee Aaron)
Former pastor and Odessa native sentenced for sexual abuse of a child, KOSA / CBS 7, 10/27/09 (Joshua Spires)
Former Okla. pastor sentenced to 10 years for molestation, ABP, 10/26/09 (Joshua Spires)
Rape charges against church worker dropped, Dayton Daily News, 10/21/09 (Shawn P. Rickert)
Whitehorse orphanage victims file lawsuit, CBC News (Canada), 10/19/09 (“It was run by individuals affiliated with the Baptist church.”)
Ex-pastor Joshua Spires sentenced in abuse of Jay teen, The Oklahoman, 10/17/09 (Joshua Spires)
Former minister charged in molestation case, Athens Banner-Herald, 10/15/09 (Norman Pugh)
Youth minister charged with molestation, WSB Radio, 10/15/09 (Norman Pugh)
Community reacts to former superintendent’s arrest, ArkLaTex / NBC 6, 10/7/09 (Franklin Wray)
Misdemeanor charge dismissed against former youth minister, Richmond Register, 10/7/09 (Gordon Lunceford)
Barrett pleas guilty to all four counts, Mountain Statesman, 10/7/09 (Baptist pastor Craig Johnson allegedly knew about Barrett’s molestation of a kid in 2005 and did nothing.)
Former superintendent arrested in child molestation investigation, ArkLaTex / NBC 6, 10/6/09 (Franklin Wray)
Former minister returns to court on abuse charges, Richmond Register, 10/6/09 (Gordon Lunceford)
The fall of man, Arkansas Times, 10/1/09 (David Pierce)
Sunday School teacher sentenced in sex case, Daily Bulletin (California), 9/30/09 (John Calvin Savage)
New Jersey investigating Rev. John J. Harris and Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton for sexual harassment and retaliation, New Jersey News Room, 9/25/09 (John J. Harris)
Trenton church pastor accused of sexually harassing ex-employee, New Jersey Star Ledger, 9/25/09 (John J. Harris)
Oshawa church, youth pastor sued over sex allegations, DurhamRegion.com, 9/25/09 (Brian Andrew Klein, King Street Pentecostal Church)
Child porn consumes N.C. man’s life, Charlotte Observer, 9/21/09 (Southern Baptist pastor Ricky Mill of Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh urges leniency for man convicted on child porn.)
Ex-church choir director pleads guilty to raping teen, Star-Tribune, 9/17/09 (Gregory B. Washington)
Taylor County man pleads not guilty to sexual abuse charges, WDTV News (KY), 9/16/09 (Baptist pastor Craig Johnson indicted on failure to report)
Minneapolis church director pleads to sex with teen, KSTP-TV, 9/15/09 (Gregory Washington)(video)
Court document showing adjudication of guilt and probation with “sex offender conditions,” Court document of Bradford County, Florida, filed 9/15/09 (Jeffrey Lamar Carter)
Taylor County grand jury indicts 38, WBOY-TV (WV), 9/14/09 (Baptist pastor Craig Johnson charged on failure to report child sex abuse)
Sex offender to be ordained this weekend has held previous church leadership role, WHAS 11 (KY), 9/11/2009 (Mark Hourigan)(video)
Baylor study focuses on clergy sexual misconduct, Baptist Standard, 9/11/09
Many women targeted by faith leaders, survey says, The Washington Post, 9/10/09
Clergy come-ons more common than you think, Chicago Tribune, 9/9/09
Accused Baptist swindler Allen Stanford sued for gambling debt, ABP, 9/4/09 (Allen Stanford)
Former Rwandan Baptist pastor on trial for genocide, ABP, 9/3/09 (Francois Bazaramba)
Former Baptist pastor goes to trial charged with genocide in Rwanda, EthicsDaily, 9/1/09 (Francois Bazaramba)(“Why did global Baptists do nothing?”)
Former music minister sentenced for sexual abuse, ABP, 8/31/09 (David Pierce)
Sex offenders refuse plea bargains, Morning News, 8/29/09
Choir leader admits child-sex abuse, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8/28/09 (David Pierce)(Former Arkansas Baptist Convention president Greg Kirksey wrote to judge, asking for leniency.)
Pierce victim speaks out, Benton Courier, 8/28/09 (David Pierce)
Ex-music minister pleads guilty to sex charges, KTHV-TV (Little Rock), 8/27/09 (David Pierce)(with video)
Pierce convicted, gets 10 years, Benton Courier, 8/27/09 (David Pierce)
Pierce expected to enter plea, Benton Courier, 8/26/09 (David Pierce)
Former Jay minister confesses to illegal relationship with 15-year-old, Tulsa World, 8/26/09 (Joshua Spires)
Delaware County pastor assaulted girl, 15, on his church desk, affidavit says, The Oklahoman, 8/26/09 (Joshua Spires)
Former Delaware County youth minister charged with lewd molestation, Tulsa World, 8/25/09 (Joshua Spires)
Virginia youth minister faces additional charges, ABP, 8/25/09 (Jeremy “Jack” Ryan Duffer)
More indecent liberties charges filed, Daily Press (Newport News, VA), 8/25/09 (Jack Ryan Duffer)
Former youth pastor arrested again, WAVY-TV 10 (Virginia), 8/24/09 (Jeremy “Jack” Ryan Duffer)
2 Baptist ministers convicted in sex case, The Daily Advertiser (LA), 8/22/09 (Jason “J.D.” Cooper & Victor Mitchell)
Youth leader jailed on sex abuse charges, WFIE-14 (Owensboro, KY), 8/20/09 (Jacob Conder)
Youth group leader accused of having sex with teen, Los Angeles Times, 8/20/09 (Timothy Han)
Former minister found guilty of molesting girl, Arizona Daily Star, 8/20/09 (Christopher Decaire)
Youth minister found guilty of molestation, ABP, 8/20/09 (Christopher Decaire)(“The current SBC position that each church can effectively address clergy sex abuse on its own is like thinking each municipality across the country can effectively address terrorism.”)
Youth minister found guilty, KVOA News 4, 8/19/09 (Christopher Decaire)
Youth minister convicted, KGUN-9, 8/19/09 (Christopher Decaire)(video)
Pastor denied parole in child sex abuse case, SNAP press release, 8/19/09 (George Lowe)
Jailed former pastor cited ‘passion’ for working with youth, ABP, 8/18/09 (Jeremy ‘Jack’ Ryan Duffer)
Missionary child abuse, Christianity Today, 8/18/09
S.C. court upholds sex abuse rulings, The State, 8/18/09 (John Hubner)
Supreme Court upholds conviction of ex-deacon, The State, 8/17/09 (John Hubner)
Church background checks find many with felonies, Birmingham News, 8/16/09
Judge sets bond for Seaford Baptist youth pastor, Williamsburg Yorktown Daily, 8/14/09 (Jeremy ‘Jack’ Ryan Duffer)
York Co. youth pastor faces sex crimes charges, WVEC News 13 (VA), 8/13/09 (Jack Ryan Duffer)
LifeWay: 1 in 7 church background checks uncover criminal history, Christian Post, 8/13/09
Girl, 15, tells jury of alleged molestation by ex-youth minister, Arizona Daily Star, 8/13/09 (Christopher Decaire)
Teenager claims youth minister molested her, KVOA News 4 (Tucson, AZ), 8/12/09 (Christopher Decaire)
Texas pastor charged with cyber-stalking former attendee, ABP, 8/12/09 (Matthew Darren Wood)(active in CBF and also pastored SBC churches)
Ex-pastor accused of cyber-stalking Shreveport woman, Shreveport Times, 8/12/09 (Matthew Darren Wood)
David Pierce trial rescheduled, Benton Courier, 8/9/09 (David Pierce)
LifeWay says 1 in 8 background checks finds record, ABP, 8/7/09
Former Southern Baptist pastor sentenced for fraud, tax evasion, ABP, 8/5/09 (Otis Ray Hope)
Rodgerson pleads not guilty, Kirksville Daily Express (MO), 8/3/09 (Aaron Rodgerson on charge of failure to report abuse or neglect of child)
Man pleads guilty after alleged sex with girl, WYMT-TV (Kentucky), 7/28/09 (Richard Frank Shaw)
Pastor accused of lewd act, The Post and Courier (SC), 7/28/09 (Marion Leon Kosier, Jr.)
Pastor faces child pornography charges, WANE-TV (Fort Wayne, IN), 7/23/09 (Bernard Squires)
Church volunteer accused of molestation, WTHI-TV (Indiana), 7/23/09 (Robert Posey)
Former youth pastor sentenced on child corruption charges, Times Leader (PA), 7/20/09 (Brian Neiswender)
Baptist camp director on leave after arrest, ABP, 7/16/09 (Stephen Carter)
Christian camp director indicted on child sex offenses, WITN-TV, 7/14/09 (Stephen Carter)
Baptist camp director indicted on child sex charges, The Daily Advance, 7/13/09 (Stephen Carter)
Douglasville child molester tracked to Tennessee, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/8/09 (Larry William Whitley)
Ex-pastor sentenced in sexual abuse case, The Roanoke Times, 7/8/09 (Daniel Silverman)
Former church pastor sentenced on sex abuse charge, WDBJ-7, 7/7/09 (Daniel Silverman)
Former pastor pleads guilty to sex charges, WSET-TV, 7/7/09 (Daniel Silverman)
Ex-minister asks for lower bond in sex abuse case, The Leaf-Chronicle, 7/6/09 (Jonathan Tyler Giles)
Christa Brown’s saga resonates more for me now that I’m a mother, Austin American-Statesman, 7/4/09
Former minister charged with rape, abuse, The Richmond Register, 7/3/09 (Gordon Lunceford)
Former youth minister indicted on sex-related charges, The State Journal, 7/2/09 (Gordon Lunceford)
Former youth minister arrested for sex abuse, WKYT, 7/2/09 (Gordon Lunceford)(with video)
Former youth minister accused of underage sex crimes, WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY) , 7/2/09 (Gordon Lunceford)
Richmond man indicted on sex-related charges, Lexington Herald-Leader, 7/2/09 (Gordon Lunceford)
Youth volunteer at Knox County church charged with child rape, The Tennessean, 7/1/09 (Randall Thomas Hollifield, “youth pastor” at New Beverly Baptist Church)
Church worker accused of sex acts with pre-teen boy; photos found, Knoxville News Sentinel, 6/30/09 (Randall Thomas Hollifield)
Youth pastor faces sex charges, The Tennessean, 6/26/09 (Jonathan Tyler Giles)
SBC messengers sever ties with Texas church over gay members, ABP, 6/23/09
Baptist church director resigns after he’s linked to child porn, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 6/22/09 (First Baptist of St. Charles, MO)
Children’s director at St. Charles church resigns amidst child porn investigation, KSDK, 6/22/09 (First Baptist of St. Charles, MO)(with video)
Grand jury indicted Rodgerson, Kirksville Daily Express (MO), 6/22/09 (Aaron Rodgerson on a failure to report charge. Child’s father was associate pastor at same church.)
Missionary kids abused sexually, Washington Times, 6/21/09 (“Nearly 7 percent of former missionary children said they were sexually abused during their elementary-school years.”)
Rodgerson indicted on two counts, KTVO (Missouri), 6/20/09 (Aaron Rodgerson – failure to report)
Baptist ministers facing sex charges appear in court, ABP, 6/19/09 (Robert M. Black / William Frank Brown / David Pierce)
Trial date set for pastor accused, St. Joseph News-Press, 6/19/09 (Robert M. Black)
Former Waco-area pastor indicted on child sex charges, KWTX, 6/17/09 (William Frank Brown)
Former Bellmead pastor indicted in repeated sexual assault of child, Waco Tribune, 6/17/09 (William Frank Brown)
Former Kingston pastor pleads no contest in teen molestation case, Citizens Voice (Ohio), 6/16/09 (Brian Nieswender)
Jacksonville pastor begins prison sentence, Florida Times-Union, 6/11/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Ex-pastor sentenced on sex charges, News4Jax, 6/11/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Former Pastor Gilyard gets three years in prison, FirstCoastNews, 6/11/09 (Darrell Gilyard)(with video)
Appeals court upholds convictions of Baptist Foundation of Arizona officials, ABP, 6/11/09
Book says SBC lacks system of preventing sexual abuse, ABP, 6/9/09
Youth minister faces sex charges, WSMV-Nashville, 6/9/09 (Timothy Felts)
The Preacher’s Wife (Update), CBS 48 Hours, 6/9/09 (Matt Baker)
Pierce due in court again, Benton Courier, 6/8/09 (David Pierce)
Westminster youth worker accused of assault, Denver Post, 6/4/09 (Gordon McLees)
Man involved with Boy Scouts accused of sexual assault, 9News/KUSA-TV, 6/4/09 (James Gordon McLees)
Officials: Waco area sees recent rash of sex crimes against children, Waco Tribune-Herald, 6/3/09 (“Recent statistics show just 10 percent of the sexual abuse against children is actually reported.”)
Finland charges Rwandan suspect, BBC News, 6/1/09 (Francois Bazaramba)
Lawsuit claims church workers were fired for being women, Austin American-Statesman, 5/30/09
Preacher did 5 years on charges of sodomy, Sand Mountain Reporter, 5/26/09 (Billy Masters)
DeKalb County preacher arrested on sex abuse charges, WHNT News 19, 5/22/09 (Billy Masters)
Former rising star preacher pleads guilty to molestation, Associated Baptist Press, 5/21/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Former Shiloh pastor pleads guilty to molesting teen, FirstCoastNews, 5/21/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Ex-pastor pleads guilty to sex charges, News4Jax, 5/21/09 (Darrell Gilyard)(with video)
Former Jacksonville pastor pleads guilty, will get 3 years, Florida Times-Union, 5/21/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Documentary featuring Minerva HS teacher to be shown May 26, Tni-News (Ohio), 5/20/09
Prosecutors subpoena Matt Baker’s school records, preparing for murder trial, Waco Tribune-Herald, 5/20/09 (Matt Baker) (with links to many more Matt Baker articles)
Victims of missionary school seek healing through new film, Akron Beacon Journal, 5/16/09 (“We are survivors and we just want the church to be the church. We have been hurt and the job of the church is to love us, to care for us and to show compassion.”)
Former Huffman High band director pleads guilty in student sex case, Birmingham News, 5/14/09 (Patrick Jerome Whitehead)
Huffman High band director pleads guilty, FOX 6 (Alabama), 5/14/09 (Patrick Whitehead / 16th Street Baptist, Birmingham)
Baptist church sticking by pastor facing sex charges, ABP, 5/7/09 (Robert Black / David Pierce / Steven Haney)(One week brings news of child sex charges on 3 Southern Baptist ministers.)
Charges filed against ex-music minister, Baptist Press, 5/7/09 (David Pierce)
Man who served as music minister at Benton church faces dozens of child sex charges, Associated Press (KFSM News 5), 5/7/09 (David Pierce)
Pierce’s charges growing, Benton Courier, 5/6/09 (David Pierce)
Most charges dropped in Missouri ritual sex abuse cases, AP (Kansas City Star), 5/4/09
Cornerstone church controversy continues, KRDO News Channel 13 (Colorado Springs), 5/3/09
Former church volunteer pleads guilty to molestation, Yakima Herald-Republic, 5/1/09 (Jerry Ray Ketzenburg)
Woman settles lawsuit against Jacksonville pastor, church, Florida Times-Union, 4/30/09 (Darrell Gilyard / Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church)
Former Southern Baptist pastor pleads guilty to sexual abuse, ABP, 4/30/09 (Steven C. Haney / David Pierce)(“Brown asked Southern Baptist leaders to create a national database of clergy convicted, admitted or credibly accused of sexual abuse and create an independent review board to receive and investigate allegations of sexual misconduct…. [T]he SBC Executive Committee opted against the proposal, saying the convention lacked authority to investigate local churches. Time magazine ranked that denial one of the top 10 ‘under-reported’ stories of the year.”)
Native woman wins unprecedented case, Argus Leader, 4/30/09 (new theory of recovery on sexual assault for Native Americans)
Former Cordova pastor pleads guilty to sex charges involving boys, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 4/29/09 (Steven C. Haney)
“Outed” blogger sues sheriff, prosecutor’s office, ABP, 4/29/09 (FBC-Jacksonville)
Interviews continue in Pierce case, Benton Courier, 4/29/09 (David Pierce)
Man pleads guilty to sexual assault in Franklin County, WDBJ-7 (Roanoke, VA), 4/29/09 (Dean Harold Stone)(see also Vinton church members accused of child abuse, WSLS-10, 11/13/08)
Former church leaders plead in sex crimes, Roanoke Times, 4/29/09 (Dan Silverman & Dean Stone)
Judge to Pierce: No contacts, Benton Courier, 4/28/09 (David Pierce)
Former Vinton Asst. Pastor pleads no contest in child sexual abuse case, WSLS-10 (VA), 4/28/09 (Dan Silverman)(see also Vinton church members accused of child abuse, 11/13/08)
Group protests against former pastor, News4Jax, 4/28/09 (Darrell Gilyard)(“We see time and time again victims or witnesses or whistleblowers who have information that could help prosecutors but tend to stay silent.”)
Group protests against former pastor, WJXT-TV ((MSNBC), 4/28/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
3 more claim abuse by former minister, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/28/09 (David Pierce)
Prominent Ark. music minister arrested for sexual indecency with a minor, ABP, 4/27/09 (David Pierce)
Sexual charge filed against Ark. minister, Baptist Press, 4/27/09 (David Pierce)
Pierce set for bond hearing, Benton Courier, 4/27/09 (David Pierce)
Blogger sues after Jacksonville cops out him to First Baptist, Florida Times-Union, 4/27/09 (FBC-Jacksonville)
South Miami-Dade pastor pleads guilty to stalking teen, Miami Herald, 4/26/09 (Chester Mulligan)
Benton choir minister arrested for sexual indecency with a child, KTHV-TV, 4/25/09 (David Pierce)
A Benton music minister arrested, accused of sexual abuse, KATV – Little Rock, 4/24/09 (David Pierce)
Former EC pastor enters guilty plea to stalking, Post-Tribune, 4/23/09 (Chester Mulligan)
Former E.C. pastor sentenced for stalking, sex charges dropped, The Times (Northwest Indiana), 4/22/09 (Chester Mulligan)
Historic African-American church focus of sex-abuse scandal, ABP, 4/20/09 (Patrick Jerome Whitehead – 16th Street Baptist Church)
Huffman high school band director arrested for sexual abuse, ABC 33/40 News, 4/19/09 (Patrick Jerome Whitehead – 16th Street Baptist Church)
Huffman band director arrested on sexual abuse charges, The Birmingham News, 4/18/09 (Patrick Jerome Whitehead – 16th Street Baptist Church)
Pastor charged in beating of woman, Kansas City Star, 4/17/09 (Alfred F. White)
Authorities expose blogger who has been hounding FBC-Jacksonville, ABP, 4/15/09
Cantu suspect cries in court as charges read, CBS-13 (CA), 4/14/09 (Melissa Huckaby)
Teacher arrested after body of girl pupil, 8, is found in suitcase, The Times, 4/13/09 (Melissa Huckaby)
Suspect in Tracy slaying is church-going mom, San Francisco Chronicle, 4/12/09 (Melissa Huckaby)
Parents shocked as accused minister coached girls’ basketball, Fox-4-KC (MO), 4/11/09 (Robert Black)
Experts: Pastor online sex case should raise red flags for parents, WDAF-TV (Kansas City, MO), 4/10/09 (Robert Black) (135 kids became “friends” with online 40-yr-old stranger. “It’s anybody” … “This being a pastor shows us that…. you can’t pick them out, it’s not written on their heads.”)
Former pastor convicted of child molestation, ABC-30 (CA), 4/10/2009 (John Bonine)
Local youth minister charged with sexual assault, Monticello Live (Arkansas), 4/10/09 (Jason Beck)
Missouri minister accused of using Facebook account to entice girl for sex, Kansas City Star, 4/9/09 (Robert M. Black)
Unmasked blogger blames First Baptist, Sheriff’s Office, The Florida Times-Union, 4/9/09 (FBC-Jacksonville)
Pastor hopes church can heal after sex allegations, The Tennessean, 4/8/09 (Matthew M. Jernigan)
Principal charged in sex abuse of 11-year-old girl, CBS-2 Chicago, 4/8/09 (Daniel R. Pirozzi)(Bibilical Baptist Church Academy)
Former Texas pastor Matt Baker indicted in wife’s 2006 death, ABC 20/20, 4/6/09 (Matt Baker)
Pastor faces sex misconduct charges, 4/3/09 (Daniel J. Moore)
Former Baptist pastor indicted on murder charge, Associated Baptist Press, 4/3/09 (Matt Baker)
Bellmead Baptist minister arrested in sexual assault case involving two children, 4/2/09 (William Frank Brown)
Youth pastor accused of having sex with 16-year-old, 4/1/09 (Scott Dewayne Wright)
Former pastor arrested for sexual abuse of a child, 3/31/09 (William Frank Brown)(with video)
New probe into Rwandan genocide suspect case, YLE Television News (Finland), 3/30/09
Making the best of a pastor scandal, Indianapolis Star, 3/30/09 (Jerry Hillenburg)(comparison to handling of similar pastor scandals in Indiana Episcopal and Assembly of God churches)
Hope Baptist pastor Rev. Jerry Hillenburg accused of sexual harassment, Indianapolis Star, 3/29/09 (Jerry Hillenburg)
Local man indicted in death of wife, Kerrville Daily Times, 3/27/09 (Matt Baker)
Former Waco-area pastor indicted on murder charge in wife’s death, Waco Tribune, 3/26/09 (Matt Baker)
Matt Baker surrenders to authorities, 3/26/09 (Matt Baker)
Minister from The Village accused in teen sex, The Oklahoman, 3/26/09 (Doug Davis)
Village Baptist Church youth pastor arrested on rape complaints, The Oklahoman, 3/25/09 (Doug Davis)
Grand jury hears testimony in case of pastor accused of killing wife, 3/25/09 (Matt Baker)
Ex-pastor indicted for wife’s murder surrenders, KXXV-TV News Channel 25, 3/25/09 (Matt Baker)(with video)
Pastor accused of rape in court this week, WAAY-TV (Alabama), 3/23/09 (Robin Beets of Valley Baptist in Giles County, TN)
‘All God’s Children,’ EthicsDaily, 3/19/09
Elgin pastor: Judge finds him guilty of spanking girl during weekly counseling sessions, Chicago Tribune, 3/19/09 (Daryl Bujak)
Spankings of member’s child earn Baptist pastor battery conviction, ABP, 3/19/09 (Daryl Bujak)
Ex-Elgin pastor convicted of battery for spanking girl, Daily Herald (Chicago), 3/18/09 (Daryl Bujak)
Minister in spanking case: Alleged victim testifies about beatings, Chicago Tribune, 3/18/09 (Daryl Bujak)
Probation continued for former minister, The Telegraph (Illinois), 3/18/09 (Jeffrey D. Heberlein)
Minister indicted for child indecency, KXAN-Austin, 3/17/09 (Jay Lynn Robertson)
Elgin preacher accused of spanking sessions with 12-year-old girl, Daily Herald (Chicago), 3/17/09 (Daryl Bujak)
Teen: Pastor spanked her for ‘lying’ about abuse, Chicago Tribune, 3/17/09 (Daryl Bujak)
Jacksonville church was aware of pastor’s sexual misconduct, insurer claims, Florida Times-Union, 3/13/09 (Darrell Gilyard)
Judge delays sentencing of ex-church worker on sex charges, The Ledger, 3/12/09 (Marshal Seymour)
Former Baptist deacon charged with attempted robbery of South Carolina bank, ABP, 2/27/09 (Bruce Lee Windsor)
No criminal check on Minneapolis choir director accused of sexual assault, Star Tribune (Minneapolis), 2/26/09 (Gregory B. Washington)(Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church & Zion Baptist Church)
Man sentenced to prison for sex with student, 2/24/09 (Shane Flournoy)
TSD employee pleads guilty, FOX 7 News Austin, 2/23/09 (Shane Flournoy)(video)
Much interest shown in site: Church for sale , London Free Press (Ontario), 2/23/09 (Royden Wood and Ambassador Baptist Church)
Paulk lawsuit appeal, Fox 5 Atlanta, 2/16/09 (Earl Paulk)(with links to many more Paulk-related articles)
Lawsuit reveals ministerial ethics breach at prominent Baptist church, EthicsDaily, 2/12/09 (First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, FL)
Hyde Park Baptist found liabile for damages in abuse on 1-yr-old child, 1/31/09 (Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, TX)
Former Bloomington substitute teacher gets 20 years for child porn, Bloomington Pantagraph, 1/30/09 (James C. Love)(see also 5/19/07)
Former Owasso church staff member arrested on sex abuse charge, 1/29/09 (Sean David Whisenhunt)
Former pastor sentenced for sexually abusing teen girls, Galesburg Register-Mail, 1/28/09 (Jonathon C. Powell)
Former youth minister pleads guilty to sending explicit emails to teen, ABP, 1/27/09 (David Esarey)
Youth worker admits sending explicit e-mails, Connecticut Post, 1/27/09 (David Esarey)
Former pastor pleads guilty in sex abuse cases, WREX (Rockford, IL), 1/26/09 (Jonathon C. Powell)
Pastor Ted Haggard faces more accusations, AP (FoxNews), 1/24/09
Former youth worker pleads guilty to molestation charge, ABP, 1/22/09 (Marshal Seymour)
Seymour pleads guilty to molestation, avoids trial, 1/21/09 (Marshal Seymour)
Jurors chosen for molestation trial, The Ledger, 1/20/09 (Marshal Seymour)
Minister accused of sex abuse, Pine Bluff Commercial (Arkansas), 1/17/09 (Leroy Spears Jr.)
Ex-minister accused of violating probation again, The Telegraph (Illinois), 1/16/09 (Jeffrey D. Heberlein)
Former Greene pastor charged with probation violation, Journal Courier (Jacksonville, IL), 1/16/09 (Jeffrey D. Heberlein)
Victim recounts clergy abuse in Southington, The Herald (New Britain, CT), 1/15/09 (James J. McCoy)
Accused minister worked at Union and Owasso schools, KTUL – News Channel 8 (Oklahoma), 1/15/09 (Sean David Whisenhunt – see 1/29/2009 article)
Waleetka pastor charged with abusing kids, KOKO-5 (Oklahoma City), 1/14/09 (Marvin Lowe)
Former minister to serve 11 years in prison, The Roanoke Times, 1/10/09 (Hawthorne Reed, Jr.)
Wildwood pastor charged with sexual battery, Central Florida News 13, 1/10/09 (Michael Kennedy)
Sex offender may stay on probation for life, The Gazette (Colorado), 1/5/09 (Jon Moore)
One-time Sunday school teacher sentenced for sexual assault, KKTV (Colorado), 1/5/09 (Jon Moore) (see also Ex-pastor to spend holidays in jail)
“Addressing the United Nations Committee on Torture, the papal ambassador in Geneva admitted the Roman Catholic Church had protected priests who molested minors but had not done so in years because it understood the issue better.”
This is an amazing statement. A purported Christian organization didn’t understand the issue? This is to say it took years to get some grip on what is so obviously a heinous, most sinful crime, against children? What, was it previously just a little molestation amongst friends, wink, wink?
A huge problem is that these “priest” perverts have access to children and are authority figures. A typical sex offender at large is more isolated, wouldn’t generally have an ever present smorgasbord of innocents to exploit, from a position of power and feigned moral authority. Whatever the case, that this has been allowed by the Catholic hierarchy, even retaining the offenders, to the point of only publicity and law suits having caused a “moral” response from the so-called Catholic church speaks loudly about the actual immoral, self-serving nature of the organization, its willingness to be morally depraved until called out in public. In other words, it seems it wasn’t in the cards to ever do what’s right, to see these criminals immediately removed from the organization and prosecuted, as God ordained consequences, ordained government to enforce laws and punish criminals. Covering up a long standing pattern of such heinous sin is simply inexcusable and speaks for itself the true nature of the organization, to countenance utter moral depravity, ever. I guess so what else is new, of the so-called church that gave the world such as Torquemada? What’s a little murder amongst friends, wink, wink?
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Bravo, Just. Really well stated. Thank you.
In my opinion, your most disturbing statement is: “Covering up a long standing pattern of such heinous sin is simply inexcusable and speaks for itself the true nature of the organization, to countenance utter moral depravity, ever.” I hope Anonymous above reads that and meditates or at least contemplates it.
No, thank you for the article. It would be good for all Christians to consider that which is genuine and that which is counterfeit, that the Bible clearly teaches, many places, you know people by their works, what they do, not what they say or what they purport to be. The Bible also clearly teaches how the churches will be infiltrated by evil and corrupt frauds, how the “tares” are sown, Protestant or Catholic. People really need to consider whether they should be members, should defend and support, these rotting corpses that claim to represent the body of Christ.
2 Timothy 3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Look at the US military and how they rape and call themselves heros!
They rape kids too and nothing is being done!
They believe it’s their right to rape yet say they protect us!
http://theusmarinesrape.com/FaceBook.html
Amen. Thank you!
I understand that the abuse in question is “Mutual Masturbation”. This is borderline sex-abuse and is why they say it either is or it isn’t abusive.
They do it so that they can witness man again before sexual urges come in. But honestly the priests should just get married, have kids, then witness the lesser sexual urges that way. Instead of self-denial.
It doesn’t work that way. A lot of child molesters are married. Like, for example, the Youth Pastor of the local Baptist church.
Married with children. The first victim was persuaded by the church pastor to recant. To say it was a “fantasy.”
The second underage victim consulted with young adult women who had also had sex with the guy, on church outings. And this time, the Youth Pastor got arrested.
And whose story is this, the “mutual masturbation” one? Are you aware that abusers don’t consider anything they do to be abusive?
According to the Christian hierarchy, raping little kids is normal, which means they have been destroying innocent kids forever. Which is actually confirmed by the Vatican cities age of sexual consent, age 12 for both sexes, but changed last year July 2013, to those of the EU rules. Why the Vatican has laws on sexual consent at all makes the mind boggle, they are supposed to be celibate.
They are still treating native populations like animals, including America where the Native lands were stolen, desecrated and polluted with uranium. It has been the plan of Christians totally annihilate all native populations. The whole of south America, it’s people and their culture was butchered and destroyed by the Catholic invaders. The same in Central America, Canada, Africa, Australia and everywhere else they weasel their way into. Some countries have wised up like Russia, China and Brazil who now protect their few remaining native tribes from the destroyers of worlds, Christians.