UNITED STATES
Associated Baptist Press
A “Public Statement Concerning Sexual Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ” says churches confronted with abuse allegations often put the institution’s reputation ahead of the victim.
By Bob Allen
Seventy-two faith leaders signed a public statement July 17 decrying silence from evangelical leaders on the issue of sexual abuse in the church.
Released by Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), an advocacy group founded by Billy Graham’s grandson and Liberty University School of Law Professor Basyle “Boz” Tchividjian, the statement voices anger and distress over recent allegations of abuse and cover-up by a well-known international ministry and subsequent statements by evangelical leaders.
“These events expose the troubling reality that, far too often, the Church’s instincts are no different than from those of many other institutions, responding to such allegations by moving to protect her structures rather than her children,” the statement said.
It noted that evangelical leaders were quick to comment on major abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church, Penn State University and the military.
“[W]e must now acknowledge long-silenced victims who are speaking out about sexual abuse in evangelical Christian institutions: schools, mission fields and churches, large and small,” the statement said. “And we must confess we have done far too little to hear and help them.”
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