Leaders of the Southern Baptist Conference stated Friday that a number of of the denomination’s main entities are underneath investigation by the U.S. Division of Justice within the wake of its a number of issues associated to clergy intercourse abuse.
The SBC’s government committee has acquired a subpoena, however no people have been subpoenaed thus far, in keeping with the committee’s attorneys.
“That is an ongoing investigation and we aren't commenting on our discussions with DOJ,” they stated.
The assertion from SBC leaders — together with government committee members, seminary presidents and heads of mission organizations — gave few particulars in regards to the investigation however indicated it handled widespread sexual abuse issues which have rocked the biggest Protestant denomination within the U.S.
“Individually and collectively every SBC entity is resolved to totally and utterly cooperate with the investigation,” the assertion stated. “Whereas we proceed to grieve and lament previous errors associated to sexual abuse, present leaders throughout the SBC have demonstrated a agency conviction to deal with these problems with the previous and are implementing measures to make sure they're by no means repeated sooner or later.”
There was no fast remark from the Justice Division in regards to the investigation.
Earlier this yr, an SBC intercourse abuse activity power launched a blistering 288-page report from exterior advisor, Guidepost Options. The agency’s seven-month unbiased investigation discovered disturbing particulars about how denominational leaders mishandled intercourse abuse claims and mistreated victims.
The report centered particularly on how the chief committee responded to abuse instances, revealing that it had secretly maintained an inventory of clergy and different church staff accused of abuse. The committee later apologized and launched the record, which had a whole lot of accused staff on it.
A Guidepost spokesperson declined to touch upon information of the Justice Division probe.
After the discharge of the Guidepost report, the SBC voted throughout its annual assembly in June to create a method to observe pastors and different church staff credibly accused of intercourse abuse and launch a brand new activity power to supervise additional reforms. Earlier this week, SBC President Bart Barber, who additionally signed Friday’s assertion, introduced the names of the Southern Baptist pastors and church members who will serve on the duty power.
Southern Baptist intercourse abuse survivor Christa Brown, who has lengthy referred to as for the SBC to do extra to deal with intercourse abuse throughout its church buildings, celebrated the information of the federal investigation.
“Hallelujah. It’s about time,” Brown stated in a Friday publish on Twitter. ”That is what’s wanted.”
One other survivor, Jules Woodson, went public along with her abuse story in 2018 and has been pushing for reforms within the SBC ever since. On Friday, she reacted to the investigation information by tweeting, “Could justice roll down!!!”
Oklahoma pastor Mike Keahbone, who serves on the chief committee and is the vice chair of the brand new abuse activity power, stated on Twitter that the investigation “is just not one thing to worry ... If there may be extra work to do, we'll do it.”
Crary reported from New York. Related Press reporter Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles contributed.
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