RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Most pastors and staff members know that ministry puts them in unique circumstances with all kinds of people. Most also know that even a hint of wrongdoing is enough to end an otherwise fruitful ministry. For this reason, pastoral counselors often urge pastors to take special precautions to protect their reputation and ministry.
Occasionally, however, the unthinkable will occur: someone will accuse a minister of sexual misconduct. Because church members are trusting people and such allegations are rare, most congregants never consider what they would do if such charges were made against one of their ministers.
Churches that have gone through the pain of a betrayed trust are virtually unanimous in advising others to plan ahead. Policies outlining a specific course of action in the event of such charges are invaluable. Professionals heading children’s and youth ministries in denominational offices can also offer helpful guidelines.
If an accusation of abuse occurs:
— Affirm a commitment to find the truth and be as fair as possible to all concerned. Occasionally false accusations are made, so don’t jump to conclusions before having all the facts. Instead, simultaneously consider the welfare of the alleged victim, the accused, and the church.
— Get the facts. Only what can be proven counts as a fact. Everything else is allegation or assumption. Assume the accuser is truthful and the accused is innocent until the facts emerge.
— Confront the accused with the allegation and the evidence, but do so with grace. The innocent minister will need support through the ordeal. The guilty will need support of a different kind.
— Report any criminal offenses. Some experts disagree with the idea of reporting crimes because of the sanctity of confessions, but the Catholic Church has reaped the consequences of such an approach.
— Know legal ramifications and liabilities. Laws vary from state to state, so consult an attorney specializing in abuse and employee rights.
— Start a paper trail. Keep a timeline of every event in the hiring process. Did the church exercise due diligence in researching the minister’s background. Were references called? Was a background check run?
— If guilt is admitted or determined, ensure the abuser gets professional help. Sexual abuse should be treated by qualified professionals.
— If the charges are false, support the minister with counseling and time off, if necessary, to deal with the trauma of being accused.
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— This story is part of a six-part series on clergy sex-abuse.