sex abuse
Baptists who split from Southern Baptist Convention have own sex abuse policies
By Adelle M. Banks — March 6, 2019
(RNS) — As the Southern Baptists grapple with how to address sex abuse allegations, three other Baptist networks that split from them have already taken steps to educate and assist their congregations should they face similar situations.
Church elders let confessed abuser attend services; now judge has banned him
By Bobby Ross Jr. — March 4, 2019
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (RNS) — Elders at a Pennsylvania Church knew that a former youth minister and camp leader had confessed to abuse. But they still allowed him to come to church services until a judge ordered him to stay away.
Southern Baptist executive group urges caution before investigating church abuse
By Adelle M. Banks — February 26, 2019
(RNS) — The work group determined that six on Greear’s list require 'no further inquiry,' three should be investigated and one is not a Southern Baptist congregation.
What Catholics and Southern Baptists can learn from each other about sex abuse crisis
By Thomas Reese — February 15, 2019
(RNS) — The scandal over sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention provides no satisfaction to us Catholics, but it does allow us to test our theories about the causes of abuse.
Southern Baptist minister list included sex offenders
By Adelle M. Banks — February 14, 2019
(RNS) — 'Names can be removed from a list, but the hurt victims deal with is more indelible,' said a spokesman for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Southern Baptist leaders vow to improve addressing sex abuse after papers’ report
By Adelle M. Banks — February 11, 2019
(RNS) — 'I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure we never make these mistakes again,' Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear said in response to an investigation by Texan newspapers.
For some Pennsylvania laity, being Catholic has become embarrassing and troubling
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2019
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (RNS) — The latest sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church has left many lay people wondering if it is time to leave the church.
Willow Creek Association releases resource on ministry and #MeToo
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 31, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Willow Creek Association published a series of videos titled "Ministry and #MeToo" online Wednesday (Jan. 30), nine months after founder Bill Hybels stepped down amid allegations he acted sexually inappropriately with women at the Chicago-area evangelical megachurch he also had started, Willow Creek Community Church.
Pope downplays expectations for sexual abuse meeting in Rome
By Thomas Reese — January 30, 2019
(RNS) — The meeting could be a disappointment for Americans who have been dealing with abuse for decades while still being a success for the universal church.
Former staff member at Dallas-area megachurch indicted for indecency with a child
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 28, 2019
(RNS) — A former associate children's minister at The Village Church, a Dallas-area evangelical megachurch, has been indicted for indecency with a child involving sexual contact.
Pope challenged on sex abuse as young take stage in Panama
By Nicole Winfield — January 27, 2019
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Young people challenged Pope Francis on the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal and the plight of Christians in the Middle East as the youth took center stage Saturday in the final events of World Youth Day in Panama.
Ex-deputy to Argentine bishop says Vatican knew of misdeeds
By Almudena Calatrava — January 21, 2019
ORAN, Argentina (AP) — The scandal is the latest to implicate Pope Francis as he and the Catholic hierarchy as a whole face an unprecedented crisis of confidence over their mishandling of cases of clergy sexual abuse of minors and misconduct with adults.
At Wheaton summit, prominent evangelicals share stories of sexual abuse
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 14, 2018
WHEATON, Ill. (RNS) — Popular Bible teacher Beth Moore was one of many speakers who revealed they, too, were survivors of sexual abuse and harassment at a one-day evangelical gathering. Some shared their stories for the first time, including bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado.
Ending the year #MeToo went to church, Wheaton summit to discuss evangelical response
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 10, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College will host a one-day evangelical gathering around the topic of sexual abuse this week on the campus of the evangelical Christian school. Some worry it won't go far enough.
Global Catholic nuns urge reporting of sex abuse to police
By Nicole Winfield — November 24, 2018
ROME (AP) — The International Union of Superiors General, which represents more than 500,000 sisters worldwide, vowed to help nuns who have been abused to find the courage to report it, and pledged to help victims heal and seek justice.
