Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Bob Pickle]

http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1921#3

"After spending the last year investigating whether to create a database, the executive committee instead offered new resources to local churches--including an online link to the Department of Justice's national database--and urged them to contact authorities about any sex abuse accusations. 'Where delay is caused by a desire to protect the reputation of the church, we believe such delay to be completely unjustified,' the executive committee's report reads."

Hopefully Danny will have learned by now that this kind of stuff is not the kind of stuff you lie about and cover up, or hire lawyers to write nasty, intimidating letters to silence people who are concerned about.

[Artiste]

http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=1921#3

"After spending the last year investigating whether to create a database, the executive committee instead offered new resources to local churches--including an online link to the Department of Justice's national database--and urged them to contact authorities about any sex abuse accusations. 'Where delay is caused by a desire to protect the reputation of the church, we believe such delay to be completely unjustified,' the executive committee's report reads."

Hopefully Danny will have learned by now that this kind of stuff is not the kind of stuff you lie about and cover up, or hire lawyers to write nasty, intimidating letters to silence people who are concerned about.

Danny being the leader/founder of his independent ministry which may or may not be connected with the Seventh-day Adventist church, what about the necessity of the church itself to protect its reputation by contacting authorities with abuse allegations?

Or do you think that policing this problem should remain a function of the church?

[Bob Pickle]

I recall that pastors have a responsibility to report such things to the authorities. That's what I recall being told in meetings.

[Artiste]

Really!  I didn't realize that was a policy of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

However I do remember a serious pastor-related financial problem being referred to the DA, even though the authorities asked the church to take care of it themselves (the conference/union declined).

Does that mean the Pastor John Lomacang has had any responsibility to report any allegations to the authorities?

[Johann]

I recall that pastors have a responsibility to report such things to the authorities. That's what I recall being told in meetings.

A few years back this was announced to all pastors in various parts of the world field. Students, in at least some of our schools, were requested to report this to the school authorities. This reporting resulted on one of our pastors receiving a prison sentence. Seems like he denied any guilt, but in vain.

[Artiste]

Do you think this is the best way to handle it?

[Johann]

Back then some seemed so eager to get this evil out of the way. The experts have learned quite a bit since then.

[Daryl Fawcett]

For the own person's sake, be it pastor or whatever, it is best not to be alone with a child of either sex, or an adult person of the opposite sex.

[Johann]

Where is trust and responsibility in this world of ours?

[Ozzie]

I recall that pastors have a responsibility to report such things to the authorities. That's what I recall being told in meetings.

Mandatory reporting is the policy in Australia. That applies to any Church, school, childcare or any other organisation where adults are involved with children.

Police checks are also mandatory, but I THINK that only became policy about 2001 or 2002. Would need to go back to the relevant 'ACT' to check the date.

With Pathfinders or with any one else working with children now, one MUST have the Police Check carried out, BEFORE they start working with children. 

[Ozzie]

For the own person's sake, be it pastor or whatever, it is best not to be alone with a child of either sex, or an adult person of the opposite sex.

Agreed, both with children and with adults of the other sex.

However, if that protects just one vulnerable person, so be it.

[Ozzie]

Where is trust and responsibility in this world of ours?

It seems that both have gone out the door these days. Sad 

Seems like it's time for Jesus to come.