TN - “No whistleblowing” says prominent Baptist preacher; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 18, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A prominent Baptist official is telling church members “don’t take matters to the press.”
We hope every Baptist rejects this self-serving, unhealthy and often dangerous advice, especially when it comes to sexual and financial crimes, whether known or suspected.
There may be some “unbelievers” who can better fix the church roof or who give a lower bid to replace the church boiler. And there are definitely some “unbelievers” who can better protect kids, investigate suspicions, prosecute predators and prevent abuse. They are the experienced and unbiased professionals in law enforcement. They should be called promptly – and anonymously, if need be – every time a Baptist church member or staffer suspects that a child has been or is being hurt.
And especially when police or prosecutors are reluctant or unable to help, victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers in churches should call journalists.
We suspect that Rev. Patterson will claim to have “misspoken” or been “misinterpreted” or been “imprecise.” But his words are pretty clear. He apparently doesn’t mention any exceptions to his “no whistleblowing” advice, not even for child sex crimes and cover-ups.
Though our focus is on child sex crimes and cover ups, we also advise church-goers to call police about possible financial misconduct in churches for two reasons. First, it’s our duty as citizens to call law enforcement about ANY suspected crimes. Second, it’s our experience that often clergy steal money to buy expensive gifts for victims or pay “hush money” to them.
Patterson admits that his advice isn’t popular. That’s because it’s wrong. It flies in the face of common sense and civic duty.
Look at what’s happening in the Twin Cities. In the last three weeks, three credibly accused clerics have been publicly exposed for the first time: Fr. Jon Shelley, Fr. Rudolph Henrich, and Fr. Michael Keating.
Shocking revelations about other proven predator priests have also been made: Fr. Curtis Wehmeyer and Fr. Robert Kapoun.
Kids are safer as a result.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2013/09/clergy-abuse/
Why is this happening? Largely because of a church whistleblower.
Yes, this is a different denomination. But no, cover ups of clergy child sex crimes and clergy sexual misconduct don’t happen just in Catholicism.
More wrongdoing in churches needs to be reported more often to more people who are more apt to stop it and prevent future wrongdoing.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [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
Showing 2 comments
Civic duty does NOT require reporting anything at all to the media. Our current media hysteria full of half-truths and outright lies surrounding the shutdown of the federal government should be a shining example of why the media is not the appropriate route to take if there is an allegation of abuse of any nature in a church. There are also no laws in my jurisdiction of which I’m aware that require me as a professional or even a mere citizen to report crimes to the media. The media is simply not the manner in which accusations should be handled. How many false accusations of what a person said have been bandied about on the airwaves and in the print media lately?
Yet, Jesus would not approve of a church doing nothing. He counseled followers to render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s which includes following the laws of the land. Laws are in place for reporting abuse or other crimes, but again, it isn’t to be reported to the media. However, some churches may be unable or unwilling to handle an internal investigation with any degree of competence. Moreover, overzealous police can also be an issue in the arena of alleged sexual abuse especially of minors. But church officials or congregants cannot remain silent. To do so violates the Word of God in more than one way. You can’t “do unto others” by letting someone committing crimes continue to create victims. You can’t love God first and foremost with all you have and are if you are permitting someone to harm His children.
There is a fine line to be drawn, but it doesn’t involve the media in any way, shape, or form. The media is not an appropriate outlet for resolution of anything when it comes to criminal accusations. In fact, during voir dire of a jury, the members are asked if they’ve heard anything about the particular case in the media. If they have, it’s bad news (pun intended) for both sides to an argument.
A church should be diligent on the front end of things as well as keeping an eye out for problems. If someone is suspected, hire an independent and qualified person to investigate and then notify the appropriate authorities whether that be the social services agencies or the law enforcement agencies if the allegations are not completely unsubstantiated. Otherwise, report directly to the law enforcement officials with everything you know and let them do their jobs