Sexual Abuse by Clergy
Guest Blog: Hope in the Research #7
Oct 07, 2021 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Child Abuse, Multifaith, Sexual Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn this blog post, Rev. James Evinger highlights some recent research trends, including research in diverse religious communities and settings that have been underrepresented or ignored, evidence-based methodologies, and specific factors related to clergy abuse cases within the legal/justice system. Since 1995, Rev. Evinger has reviewed materials and updated the Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Sexual Boundary Violations in Religious Communities. This huge undertaking has provided an extraordinary resource for scholars and researchers, as well as those seeking to address the needs of survivors.
A Tale of the Usual and the Unusual
Mar 23, 2015 — Categories: Current Events, Muslim, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe story of Mohammad Abdullah Saleem of Elgin, IL, is not unlike that of a Catholic priest, a Protestant pastor, a Jewish rabbi, or a Buddhist teacher who has sexually molested a faithful follower. Over the past 30 years, we have heard from many survivors of abuse by a faith leader in all of these groups, but few Muslim survivors. It has simply been harder to break the silence in the Muslim community where any discussion of anything sexual remains largely taboo.
Dear Pope: It's Me Again
Jun 11, 2015 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Christian, Sexual Abuse by ClergyDear Pope: It’s been a while since I wrote to you. Like many people around the world, I’ve been watching your tenure closely, particularly regarding the sexual abuse of children. I want to commend you for your move to establish a tribunal for holding bishops accountable for their actions to protect abusers and stonewall investigations or their inaction to protect children in response to sexual abuse by priests. I also commend you for actually listening to the Papal Commission you established in late 2013 to advise you on these matters.
Finally, Some Justice Made
Jun 26, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by ClergyGood news is hard to come by in the work to address sexual and domestic violence. But last week was a pretty good week.
A Measure of Justice for Survivors in Australia
Aug 03, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn Queensland, Australia, the government has formally made restitution to individuals and families who suffered abuse as children in government- and church-sponsored institutions. It only took ten years.
Forgiveness = “It’s Okay; Go Ahead and Rob Me”
Jun 19, 2007 — Categories: Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyA group of teenagers, when apprehended for home burglaries, were asked why they selected these particular homes. They replied, “Because we knew that Christians lived there and that they would forgive us and not prosecute.” What is wrong with this picture?
Pope’s Preacher Urges Repentance for Clergy Sexual Abuse
Mar 06, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe Pope has his own preacher, Reverend Raniero Cantalamessa, who, in a recent sermon, underscored the “abomination” of the sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests and urged a day of fasting and penance for the Church. The Pope was listening but the Vatican had no comment after the service.
GUEST BLOG: The Child Victims’ Act and Restoring Spiritual Wellbeing
Apr 26, 2016 — Categories: Sexual Abuse by Clergy, Child Abuse, MultifaithApril is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States, coinciding with a renewed attempt for New York legislators to ratify the Child Victims' Act (A2872A/S63A). The proposed legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens) and Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), is being reintroduced after previous failure to pass. It would eliminate the statute of limitations (SOL) for prosecuting perpetrators of sex crimes against children, and would create a one-year window for victims to bring civil suits against perpetrators in cases where the statute has already expired.
News with Teeth
Jul 26, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThis week’s news that the Paterno statue has been removed from the Penn State campus, the NCAA heavily penalized Penn State with both a fine of $60 million and denied their wins of the football team as well as its future bowl game participation was welcome news.
Dear Pope: Now You've Done It!
May 03, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn going after the nuns in the U.S., you have struck a rock. You are attacking the church’s representatives who are the face of the church where it matters most--- in the hospitals, the schools, the parishes...
“Let the children come to me and forbid them not . . . and let the healing begin.”
Aug 19, 2009 — Categories: Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThrough the eyes of three families, the documentary All God’s Children (70 minutes) www.alllgodschildrenthefilm.com tells the personal story of the first boarding school for children of missionaries to be investigated for abuse at the hands of the parents’ Protestant missionary colleagues.
Guest Blog: Hope in the Research #8
Apr 02, 2022 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by Clergy, Child Abuse, MultifaithIn this blog post, Rev. James Evinger highlights some recent research trends, including research in communities and contexts that are underrepresented or ignored in Western media, evidence-based methodologies, conceptual frameworks and analysis that explore theological and ethical responses to abuse, secular and institutional responses, and relevant historical material. Since 1995, Rev. Evinger has reviewed materials and updated the Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Sexual Boundary Violations in Religious Communities. This huge undertaking has provided an extraordinary resource for scholars and researchers, as well as those seeking to address the needs of survivors.
Responding to Clergy Abuse of Children: Not Rocket Science, Part I
Sep 18, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyWhat does a pastor do when he discovers that a volunteer youth minister in his church is “sexting” a 15 year old girl in the youth group? As reported in the news, “The West Seattle church's youth pastor went to police immediately after learning of the allegations against Davis, resulting in the 26-year-old’s arrest. Davis was also dismissed from his volunteer position.”
The Pope Has Come and Gone
Apr 29, 2008 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI think it is safe to say that everyone was surprised that Pope Benedict XVI talked about the pedophile priest crisis everyday he was in the US on his recent trip. In fact, he began the conversation with reporters on his plane enroute.
The Pope Is Ashamed
Apr 16, 2008 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyPope Benedict XVI has arrived in the U.S. for his first visit as Pope. And there is some good news here. Ironically, “good news” and the Church don’t often appear in the same sentence these days. So I am always on the lookout for this occurrence.
You Shall Know the Truth . . .
Sep 24, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyBishop Eddie Long is a national Christian leader, preacher and pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lithonia, Georgia, outside Atlanta. He is now facing three civil actions from two young male members of his church alleging that he coerced and manipulated them into sexual activity with him. He denies the allegations. His church members are stunned, and many are coming to his defense. The allegations made by the two men fit the classic pattern of clergy misconduct involving sexual abuse.
Guest Blog: Hope in the Research, Part 2
May 02, 2018 — Categories: Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by Clergy, MultifaithSince 2008, FaithTrust generously has posted on its website a continuing document I compile, Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Sexual Boundary Violations in Religious Communities. Intended to be extensive and broad, the bibliography, as of the semi-annual update of May 1, 2018, is now 1,660+ pages. From the new entries in this 32nd update, the following are notable themes in the literature which deserve attention...
Guest Blog: Hope in the Research
Oct 12, 2017 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by ClergyBy Rev. James S. Evinger — Since 2008, FaithTrust generously has posted on its website a document I compile, Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Sexual Boundary Violations in Religious Communities. Intended to be extensive and broad, the bibliography, as of the semi-annual update of October 11, 2017, is now over 1,600 pages. Here are four emergent themes in the recent (last five years) literature which deserve attention from those who support FaithTrust’s mission.
Dear Bishop Long
Oct 12, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyDear Bishop Long: As a fellow pastor, I am glad to see that you are studying scripture and praying as you confront the allegations of pastoral misconduct from four of your young followers. I see that you are comparing yourself to David as a young man in battle with Goliath. I appreciate your identification with David, a young man battling powerful odds. However, you might find it interesting to study the older David, the flawed and imperfect leader we read about in II Samuel.
No Harm, No Foul? Part 2
Feb 02, 2008 — Categories: Sexual Abuse by ClergySo let’s assume for a minute that institutions like the church, when confronted with the disclosure of unethical behavior like sexual harassment or abuse, tend to act in their own best interests. On the surface, this is what I call the “institutional protection agenda.”
