sexual abuse
Greek officials, Church, condemn ex-bishop’s remarks on rape
By Associated Press — September 6, 2022
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Greek Orthodox Church and several politicians condemned retired bishop Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Dodoni for his "inconceivable" comments on rape and abuse victims.
Bruxy Cavey credibly accused in 3 cases of sexual abuse and 1 sexual misconduct
By Yonat Shimron — August 15, 2022
(RNS) — For the first time, leaders of the Toronto-area church said Cavey’s behavior amounted to sexual abuse, not just sexual harassment or abuse of power as it had previously maintained.
Department of Justice to investigate Southern Baptist sexual abuse
By Bob Smietana — August 12, 2022
(RNS) — News of the federal investigations comes several months after the nation's largest denomination passed new reforms aimed at addressing abuse.
Maine diocese says priest will return to ministry
By Associated Press — July 28, 2022
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Rev. Robert Vaillancourt of Maine is set to return to active ministry after a yearlong investigation into sexual abuse allegations against the Roman Catholic priest.
Israel seen as a ‘safe haven’ for abusers like Baruch Lanner
By Michele Chabin — July 27, 2022
(RNS) — Opposition from activists and the general public led the Israeli government to deny citizenship to an abusive rabbi. But Israel remains vulnerable to abusers who want to move there, say activists.
Rolland Slade, SBC Executive Committee chair: seeking ‘to make a wrong right’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 16, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — ‘I think the one thing that surprised me more than anything was the list,’ said Slade of a recently revealed list of convicted abusers.
Southern Baptists apologize to abuse survivors and urge criminalizing pastoral abuse
By Bob Smietana and Adelle M. Banks — June 15, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — For the second day in a row, Southern Baptists meeting in Anaheim called for action to address the issue of sexual abuse after years of delay.
Bart Barber elected president of Southern Baptist Convention in runoff election
By Adelle M. Banks — June 14, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — The election was one of the closely watched aspects of the two-day meeting, during which messengers, or delegates, addressed a sexual abuse investigation.
Southern Baptists overwhelmingly approve abuse reforms amid contentious first day of meetings
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — June 14, 2022
(RNS) — ‘We have guests with us and many of them have suffered much,’ Southern Baptist President Ed Litton said. ‘We thank those survivors for being with us today.’
Robin Hadaway, SBC presidential candidate, favors balance in handling abuse claims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — At a forum of candidates for Southern Baptist Convention president, Hadaway spoke of the ‘fine line’ between addressing those who are abused and those being accused.
Bart Barber, SBC presidential candidate, on past, future action to address abuse
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — Barber said his approach as a church leader regarding reports of abuse allegations is to tell his staff: ‘Call the police first and then let me know.’
When Southern Baptists meet next week, anything could happen
By Bob Smietana — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — The nation’s largest Protestant denomination meets next week in the wake of a major report on abuse and continuing polarization.
Mexican megachurch leader gets more than 16 years for abuse
By Brian Melley — June 8, 2022
(AP) — LOS ANGELES (AP) — The leader of La Luz del Mundo church has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in a California prison for sexually abusing three girls.
The SBC, Animal Farm & Disneyland + Jonathan Merritt
By Roxanne Stone — June 8, 2022
Roxy Stone and guest host Jonathan Merritt discuss their Southern Baptist upbringings and how it feels to watch your childhood denomination go so off the rails.
For abuse survivors like Jules Woodson, the Indiana pastor video is all too familiar
By Bob Smietana — May 25, 2022
(RNS) — In a dramatic viral video, an abuse survivor confronted a pastor for abusing her, starting when she was 16. In the video, the pastor admits his sins but the congregation still sides with him.
