UNITED STATES
Mary DeMuth
I haven’t publicly commented on the Nathaniel Morales case–a man who was convicted last week on five counts of sexual molestation. (He faces more trials with more victims.)
Unfortunately, sexual abuse of children is not an uncommon thing. It runs rampant in this broken world. What is scandalous is the confirmed fact that the church leadership who became awareof the predator’s crimes never reported him to authorities. Instead, they remained silent. From reports of the trial:
“Covenant Life Church former pastor Grant Layman admitted on Tuesday while testifying about allegations against Nathaniel Morales that he withheld incriminating information from the police about the abuse.
Public defender Alan Drew asked Layman if had an “obligation to report the alleged abuse?”
“I believe so,” he replied.
“And you didn’t?” asked Drew, to which Layman responded “no.”” source here.
I am not one to swear. But this situation makes me want to. Loud and angry. Because this should NOT BE SO {excuse the hollering!} A parent who reports a church member’s molestation and rape of his/her child to the church leaders should KNOW that the leadership will report the perpetrator to the authorities.
Sadly, and terribly, they kept silent. Leaders seemed to prefer the safety of silence and the need for protected reputation over the cry of the victims and their parents.
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