Texas Baptists answer critics, post
list of clergy sex-abusers
By John Hall
DALLAS (ABP) -- The Baptist General Convention of Texas has made
public a list of registered sex-offenders currently or previously on
staff at affiliated churches.
The decision is significant in light
of a spate of Baptist clergy-sex-abuse cases and increased urging
from abuse-survivor groups for Baptist organizations to take action.
The convention posted the names of
eight convicted sex-offenders online at www.bgct.org/brokentrust.
Convention leaders have also said they will review ministers at the
more than 5,600 BGCT-affiliated congregations and post additional
names as they discover new, registered offenders.
BGCT leaders have also agreed to keep
the list updated and mail it to all Texas Baptist churches
periodically, beginning this fall.
The move is part of a convention-wide
emphasis to protect children and churches, said Emily Prevost, who
works with the BGCT congregational leadership team. Publishing the
list online will help churches make informed decisions in hiring and
retaining staff members, she said.
“The BGCT is concerned about the
problem of clergy sexual misconduct, and we care deeply about its
victims,” Prevost said, adding that the convention is increasing
efforts to educate churches on how to conduct background checks and
create safe children’s and youth programs.
Any person convicted of rape, child
molestation or sexual battery is required by law to register as a
sex-offender. The complete BGCT list, totaling fewer than 100 names,
also includes ministers who committed adultery, became addicted to
pornography or engaged in homosexual behavior. BGCT officials have
declined to release the names of ministers who were not convicted of
specifically criminal activity.
In the case of non-criminal but
sexually inappropriate behavior, such as adultery, the offending
minister is placed on the list if he or she confesses to sexual
misconduct or if congregational officials report an incident.
The BGCT may also establish a hotline
that would allow victims to report sex abuse. No implementation
process is in place yet, Prevost said.
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