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The Commune [Tamil Nadu, India]
December 2, 2025
By The Commune
In a case that exposes a deeply troubling pattern of institutional failure, church leaders within the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church (OALC) are accused of knowingly concealing the crimes of a serial child sex abuser for approximately two decades, allowing him to continue preying on victims across two states.
Clint Massie, a member of the OALC community, sexually abused children over a period of about 20 years. A recent report from 20 November 2025, reveals that church leaders, including prominent figure Daryl Bruckelmyer, were aware of Massie’s actions but deliberately chose not to report him to law enforcement.
Instead of involving the police, the leaders orchestrated so-called “forgiveness sessions.” In these meetings, victims were pressured to forgive Massie and were given a devastating ultimatum: they were told that if they spoke of the abuse again, the sin would become their own. This manipulative tactic effectively silenced the victims and created a protective shield for the abuser, enabling Massie to continue his cycle of abuse unchecked.
This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader, global pattern of religious institutions prioritizing their reputation over the safety of children. In this report, we take a look at 13 separate incidents of child sexual abuse from 2016 to 2025 involving pastors, leaders, and members of various churches. In each case, the crimes were not only concealed internally but were also never reported to authorities, in direct violation of mandatory reporting laws designed to protect the most vulnerable.
#1 Church Shielded Abuser, Silenced Victims – November 2025 – Minnesota, USA
Church leaders in Duluth, Minnesota, concealed a serial child sex abuser for two decades. Clint Massie abused children within the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church (OALC). Preacher Daryl Bruckelmyer and other leaders knew but never reported him to police. Instead, they held “forgiveness sessions,” pressuring victims to forgive Massie. They were told speaking out again would make the sin theirs. This manipulation allowed Massie’s abuse to continue. Massie pleaded guilty in 2024 and was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. While church officials faced no charges, prosecutors stated they should have done more to stop him, highlighting a systemic failure to protect children.
#2 Mississippi Pastor Arrested for Failing to Report Child Sex Abuse – November 2025
In Southaven, Mississippi, Pastor Jonathan Colvin was arrested on 18 November 2025, for allegedly failing to report a child sex crime. Colvin, a 38-year-old youth and family minister at the Goodman Oaks Church of Christ, is accused of violating Mississippi’s mandatory reporting laws. These laws require professionals who work with children to immediately report any known or suspected incidents of abuse to authorities. The charge stems from Colvin’s alleged knowledge of a sexual abuse incident, reported to involve minors, which he did not report to the police.
#3 NSW Church Hid Pedophile Leader – November 2025 – Maitland, Australia
Senior leaders of Maitland Evangelical Church, including Pastor Roger Burgess, were accused in parliament of concealing child sex abuse. They failed to disclose crimes by youth leader Matthew Briggs, a known pedophile. After Briggs’ death, Burgess misled the 500-member congregation, calling the matter “extreme domestic violence.” Additional allegations involved a separate cover-up of abuse against a teenage girl. When former member Phil Bear raised concerns, church leadership discredited him.
#4 Florida Pastor Charged for Silence – September 2025 – Gainesville, Florida
Pastor Mark Vega of Ignite Life Center was charged with willfully failing to report child sexual abuse. Despite receiving allegations starting in 2019, Vega managed cases internally, allowing accused youth leaders to continue working with minors. Church leaders discouraged families from involving police, proposing internal “restoration” plans instead. This failure enabled further abuse by multiple youth leaders, including Vega’s son. The case exposed how internal handling by the Florida Multicultural District of the Assemblies of God created an environment where predators could continue to operate with impunity.
#5 Arizona Pastor Arrested After Cover-Up – June 2025 – Tucson, Arizona
Tucson police arrested Pastor Isaac Noriega for failing to report repeated child sexual abuse allegations against church member Jose Mora. Noriega was informed of multiple incidents where Mora inappropri touched young boys from the congregation. Despite this knowledge and a direct admission from Mora, the pastor did not alert law enforcement. Noriega now faces two counts related to the neglect of a minor.
#6 Archbishop Resigns Over Abuse Scandal – November 2024 – United Kingdom
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned after an independent investigation found he failed to report serial abuse by John Smyth. Welby learned of the physical and sexual violence in 2013 but did not notify authorities, allowing Smyth’s abuse to continue. Smyth’s crimes, spanning decades, victimized over 100 boys and young men in the UK and Africa. Welby acknowledged personal and institutional failure, stating stepping aside was in the church’s best interest.
#7 San Diego Pastor Ignored Reporting Law – June 2024 – San Diego, California
San Diego authorities charged Pastor Eric Manuel Merino of Victory Outreach Church for failing to report the sexual abuse of a teenage girl by choir leader Rafael Valentin Magana. As a mandated reporter, Merino was legally required to notify law enforcement or child services after learning of the crime. Magana was later convicted of a felony lewd act with a minor.
#8 Oklahoma Megachurch Staff Charged – November 2019 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Five Victory Christian Center employees were charged with failing to report child abuse. The charges followed the arrest of two former employees: Chris Denman, accused of raping a girl under 14, and Israel Castillo, accused of sending explicit messages to a 15-year-old. The five staff members, including pastors’ family members, knew of the allegations but did not report them as required by law. All were booked into jail and released on bond.
#9 Indiana Pastor Knew, Didn’t Report – July 2019 – Jasper, Indiana
Pastor Howard Geck of Jasper Apostolic Church was charged for failing to report child abuse allegations against church member Dexter Hensley. Police discovered that juveniles had disclosed incidents of molestation and sexual battery to Geck two years prior, but he never notified authorities. The failure to report allowed Hensley to remain a potential threat within the community. Geck faced a Class B misdemeanor, a charge critics argue is too lenient for such a grave failure of responsibility.
#10 Alabama Pastor Ignored Girl’s Plea – September 2017 – Huntsville, Alabama
Pastor Michael Walker of Southside Baptist Church was charged with a misdemeanor for failing to report suspected child sexual abuse. The victim, a 12-year-old girl, reported being fondled by former sheriff’s investigator Roland Campos to Walker in March 2017. Despite this direct disclosure, the pastor did not notify law enforcement or child protection services. Campos was arrested months later in August. Walker was released on bond, facing a Class C misdemeanor.
#11 Vatican Officials Probed in France – March 2016 – Lyon, France
Senior officials of the Catholic Diocese of Lyon, including Archbishop Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, were investigated for failing to report clergy sexual abuse. Father Bernard Preynat was indicted for abusing young Scouts between 1986 and 1991. Prosecutors found that senior Vatican officials were aware of Preynat’s crimes but did not report them to police, violating French law. Authorities investigated them for endangering lives and non-reporting of a crime.
#12 Tulsa Megachurch Delayed Reporting Rape – September 2012 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Leaders at Victory Christian Center faced charges for delaying the report of a 13-year-old girl’s rape. The assault occurred on church property, and the victim disclosed it three days later. However, staff, including the senior pastor’s son and daughter-in-law, waited two weeks before notifying authorities, violating mandatory reporting laws. Two janitors were arrested; one for the rape and another for making a lewd proposal.
#13 Tongan Pastor Failed to Protect Boys – December 2012 – West Valley City, Utah
Former Tongan United Methodist pastor Filimone Havili Mone was charged and removed from his position for failing to report child abuse. Mone learned that an older boy in the congregation had sexually abused several young boys but did not alert authorities. This inaction violated both state law and the United Methodist Church’s mandatory reporting policy. His removal by national church leadership demonstrated an institutional attempt to enforce accountability.