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	Secretive Church Entitled to Privacy Nelson Mail [New Zealand] April 23, 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/4035886a6508.html As disturbing as sex crimes against children are, it is important to keep a cluster of allegations against an elderly Nelson member of the Exclusive Brethren church in perspective, the Nelson Mail said in an editorial on Monday. The claims which recently came to light are historic, covering a period of 40 years, and for that reason alone the police investigation will be a long and drawn-out process. Clearly, it is at a very preliminary stage. It is always important to presume innocence until guilt is proved - and it is difficult to establish a case such as this, with specific details often hazy and a likely lack of forensic evidence. It is equally important that people not cast aspersions on the church itself. There have been no suggestions that the alleged abuse is connected to it. The man at the centre of the claim has apparently not been a leader or elder of the church, suggesting any offending is personal rather than of an institutional nature. It appears to be in a different category from other high-profile cases involving priests or church-based workers abusing positions of trust. It would be most unfortunate if the claims and significant publicity surrounding them generated any form of public witch-hunt against individual members of the Brethren. Though the deeply conservative sect has a reputation for being closed and secretive, its members are comparatively visible in the Nelson community. They are perfectly entitled to their beliefs and to go about their business here free of harassment and ridicule, as long as they follow the worldly laws that apply to them as much as anyone else. Though the church has long been publicity-shy, the foray of a group of seven of its leaders into the political field before the last general election also generated much attention. The group spent big money on an advertising campaign opposing the Green and Labour parties in 2005, although Exclusive Brethren do not vote. The not-so "secret seven" appear keen to play a part in the next election, even though the National Party has closed the door on their assistance. Another change from the church's previous position has been the appointment of an official spokesman for Australia and New Zealand, Tony McCorkell, who spent several days in this country last week. Initially, he was here to represent the Brethren's position on political campaigning and to counsel the seven men on the need to distance themselves from the church. However, he was quickly drawn into the sexual abuse allegations and proved refreshingly open compared with the church's attitude to the media in the past, making his cellphone number available, answering questions and extending his stay here by one day to handle the media inquiries after receiving confirmation that claims had been officially lodged with the police. Mr McCorkell pledges that the church will not be involved in a cover-up over the allegations and will assist the police in their inquiries, but cannot take action against alleged offending simply on rumour. Fair enough. If there has been a cover-up by church leaders in the past, that is likely to come out if the allegations do prove to have substance. Members of the public need to have patience and faith that the police investigation will get to the facts of the matter. Anyone with knowledge that might help the inquiry, whether they are inside or outside of the church, should have the confidence to approach the police with this information. Their strongest loyalty should be to the truth.
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