IL--Accused prominent pastor is arraigned
Accused prominent pastor is arraigned
As recently as last year, he reportedly assaulted girl
SNAP: “High profile minister is still on the job in a church now!”
He’s been in leadership posts with national Baptist organization
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos outside an arraignment hearing for an accused, prominent predatory pastor, clergy sex abuse victims will
-- praise the brave teen who reported wrongdoing and denounce those who allow the accused to remain in ministry, and
-- beg “anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered” the minister’s crimes to call police immediately.
WHEN
Wednesday, 11/4 @ 9:00 am (Hearing is at 9:00 am. We will speak out just following the hearing.)
WHERE
Outside Cook County Court, 2600 South California Ave. (Room 101) at 26th and California
WHO
Two-three members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including a Chicago woman who is the organization’s founder and long-time president
WHY
A prominent South Side pastor who’s had leadership positions with the National Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest and oldest African-American religious organization, the Biblical Exposition Conference and WHW Ministries is being arraigned for alleged child sex crimes he admitted committing as recently as last year.
He is Rev. George W. Waddles, Sr. and despite his admission and arrest, he remains in the pulpit today.
At least two other church members have reported that Waddles also attacked them.
SNAP wants his congregation and his colleagues to force him to resign. They are also urging other “victims, witnesses and whistleblowers” to “come forward, call police, expose wrongdoing and protect kids.”
Rev. Waddles allegedly tried to hug and kiss a then-13 year old girl several times during the counseling sessions and meetings at his church, Zion Hill Baptist (1460 W. 78th St. on the South Side). Waddles has worked there for two decades. http://zionhillmbc.com
Three months ago, he spoke at the annual conference of National Baptist Convention, “the country's largest and oldest African-American religious organization.”
CONTACT:
Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747, [email protected]
Bill Reidy, SNAP Spokesperson, 847 651 2661, [email protected]
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
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