Settling Matters of Pastoral Abuse? Heaven Forbid!

Another reason why I hate church...

Back in September 2010, two men (Anthony Flagg and Maurice Robinson) accused megachurch pastor, Eddie Long of sexually abusing (see here) them when they were 16 years old.  Then two more men (Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande) joined the lawsuit.  The claim was that as part of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s “Youth Academy,” Eddie Long “coerced them into having sex with him in exchange for lavish trips, cars and cash.”

Today, we learn that Eddie Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and LongFellows Youth Academy have reached a settlement with the young men who accused Mr. Long of sexually abusing them.

One of the plaintiffs allege that Long, “engaged in sexual touching and other sexual acts.”  Yet, this man is a so-called “bishop” of the Church Universal.  And while yes, this matter was brought to court and legal matter can be settled, how does the Church move to seek civil settlement for matters of pastoral abuse? 

Heaven Forbid!

The Priesthood (or the Ministry) is a sacred trust.  In the Ancient Church it is a Sacrament.  As Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris says, “A Sacrament is a divine rite instituted by Christ and/or the Apostles which through visible signs conveys to us the hidden grace of God.”  As a Sacrament, through the Priesthood we are supposed to be drawn nearer to God.

Yet, it is instances like the Eddie Long Saga (and the Catholic Priest debacle, amongst others) that do irreparable damage to the Gospel and the Church.  And while the civil ramifications might be abated, the Church (in this instance New Birth Missionary Baptist Church) should not abdicate its responsibility to defend the Faith.

Civil Settlement for Matters of Pastoral Abuse? Heaven Forbid!

In response to the settlement, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church issued a “Resolution Statement,” (see here) the highlight of which (at least, for me) says: “This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry.”  But, how does the Church bring closure to a malfeasance of pastoral duty through civil means?

On the Sunday after the allegations, Eddie Long told his congregation: “This thing I'm gonna fight.”  And, if indeed Eddie Long is innocent then fight he should...if not for the sake of his own integrity, certainly for the sake of the integrity of the Church and the Faith.  Yet, either Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church are not concerned with their own integrity and that of the Faith, or both Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church know that their integrity has been compromised and now seek simply to save face for themselves, at the expense of the Faith.

Civil Settlement for Matters of Pastoral Abuse? Heaven Forbid!

Again, this is another reason why I hate church!  For time and time again, the Church seems more concerned with protecting its vaunted stature, rather than humbling itself that Christ might be exalted. 

Certainly, in civil matters all have the right to settle.  And, in this instance, all exercised that option.  Yet, people are looking for the Church to be above the fray.  Maybe by now most of us expect the Church to succumb to human fallibility.  Yet, deep inside we still hope for the Church to live up to the call of the Faith.  For if the Church (which is the Body of Christ) cannot “walk worthy of the calling to which (it) is called,” then how can we?

Why do YOU hate Church?

I was saying to someone a few days ago: the Church is supposed to be the place where broken people come and find wholeness.  However, so many of us come and become even more broken.

I think of the woman, several years ago, who greeted me on Sunday morning by asking: "do you belong here?"  I consider the campus chaplains whose "schedules did not permit" them time to minister to me, as I battled the culture-shock and home-sickness I experienced during my freshman year of college.  I could think of so many more instances, all leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

What about you?  What's your story?
(You may post anonymous if you'd prefer...)

How could they?

"We grant you [Kings of Spain and Portugal] by these present documents, with our Apostolic Authority, full and free permission to invade, search out, capture, and subjugate the Saracens and pagans and any other unbelievers and enemies of Christ wherever they may be, as well as their kingdoms, duchies, counties, principalities, and other property [...] and to reduce their persons into perpetual slavery." excerpt from Dum Diversas, a papal bull of the Western Church.

I read this document while doing research for a recent article I wrote on the racial politics of "dark v. light imagery."  I knew the institution of the Church had a formal role in the enslavement and subjugation of people.  Yet, the language here was damning.  I mean, for the Pope to use his "Apostolic Authority" to give credence to this statement is tantamount to saying that stealing the land of others and relegating native people to slavery was sanctioned by God!  Such blasphemy!  Such audacity!

I find myself wondering: how is it even possible that someone professing faith in the Gospel and claiming authority from the Holy Apostles (and thus from Christ Himself) could claim that such crimes against humanity were sanctioned by the One who came to redeem all of humanity?

What do you think?