ARIZONA
Daily Courier
By Scott Orr
Originally Published: December 9, 2016
A national advocacy group, pushing to find more alleged victims of abuse at the hands of Rev. Thomas Chantry, called out the current leader of the suspect’s Prescott church for “distancing himself” from the issue.
However, Pastor Chris J. Marley, Miller Valley Baptist Church, says his church strives to minister to the alleged victims and has a stringent background check now in place.
David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, issued a news release Wednesday, Dec. 7. “These churches (in Arizona and Wisconsin) gave Chantry access to kids. So their civic and moral duty doesn’t end with his arrest. They must help put him behind bars and help ameliorate the severe harm he’s caused.”
Clohessy said that “one minister essentially distanced himself, basically saying, ‘Hey, I wasn’t around when he was here,’” referring to Marley.
In an email to the Daily Courier, Marley wrote, “I can tell you that everyone at our church who was here that far back is well aware of the situation and that we have been striving to minister to those who have come to us as victims. We also have a background check policy for all who are involved in children’s ministry that exceeds standard legal requirements.”
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