BishopAccountability.org
	Minister's Past As Sexual Offender Shouldn't Have Been Overlooked By Reginald T. Dogan Pensacola News Journal April 5, 2007 http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/NEWS01/704050325/1036 In 2005, the News Journal published a news article about local families that stretched four and five generations, including the family of Leon Rankins III. On the day the article appeared, a reporter handed me a printout of registered sexual offenders. Rankins, pastor of Restoration Full Gospel Baptist Church on West Cervantes Street, was on the list. The News Journal was embarrassed that it hadn't looked further into Rankins' background before publishing the story. I was surprised to see his name on the list. On Wednesday, I was not so surprised to find out that Rankins was arrested again after a police investigation determined that he had sex with a teenage boy. I was not surprised because history, statistics and experts confirm time and time again that pedophiles can't be cured. Just last week, a well-known community leader told me that rumors were rampant about Rankins' involvement with a teenager. Rankins, 35, Restoration Full Gospel's pastor for more than 10 years, registered as a sex offender in 1994 after pleading no contest to two counts of sexual battery. The incident occurred in 1989 when Rankins was 17 and the boy he assaulted was 11. Why was a registered sex offender selected to lead a church, placing him in a position of power with easy access to young boys? The short answer is that too many people in churches believe that pedophilia, like most sins, can be washed away with prayer and repentance. They likely believed that he had been "cured" of his problem. Rankins appears to be a "good person" in many ways. He is well-liked and respected, a renowned recording artist, a husband and father. The church is recognized for its evangelism and outreach, including a popular food pantry. Its membership has grown to 300. But Rankins' past as a sex offender should not have been overlooked when he was chosen as church pastor. He met the boy he is most recently accused of abusing several years ago in a local retail store, investigators say. He allegedly befriended the boy and invited him to his church, where the teenager eventually began doing various chores. Pedophiles typically appear to be trustworthy. They are of all ages, races, education, occupation, class and income. They often have good standings in their communities. And they often single out children who seem troubled and in need of attention or affection. They can be found wherever children are found. The same reporter who handed me the copy of Rankins' record two years ago, this time entered my home address into the sexual offender database. This time I was truly shocked: More than 20 registered sexual offenders live within a mile of my house. There's probably at least one near you. To protect our community and our children, we must put pressure on the church and other social institutions to report, identify and monitor sexual offenders. Rankins' access to children should have been permanently stopped. He should not have been in a position that inspires trust and confidence. Contact: rdogan@pnj.com
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