Pastor Settles Sexual Harassment Suit with St. Louis Church

Belleville News-Democrat
January 15, 2015

http://www.bnd.com/2015/01/15/3611999_female-minister-settles-sex-abuse.html?rh=1

A female minister who sued her St. Louis church for sexual harassment has settled part of the case, her lawyers said Thursday.

Brenda Jones sued Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church, along with church officials in California and Pennsylvania, in January 2014. She alleged another minister made sexually explicit remarks, forced her to see a photo of his genitals and inappropriately touched her on several occasions.

The case was scheduled to go to trial next month. But attorney Ken Chackes said claims against the church and church officials were settled this week for an undisclosed amount. An attorney for the church declined comment, citing a confidentiality agreement. Jones' case against the former pastor is still pending. He has denied wrongdoing.

Chackes said the settlement requires Wayman AME Church to issue a public-apology letter to its members, and conduct an internal review of sexual harassment and misconduct policies. The California-based Fifth Episcopal District, which covers Missouri, must provide at least eight hours annually on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct prevention and church discipline policies to its ministers. The settlement also requires that Jones be allowed to return to preaching.