The Church Must Address Clergy Sexual Abuse

What is the greatest threat to the church today? Some people claim it is Critical Race Theory and others claim that it is drag queens. I think the greatest threat is the total loss of credibility based on the tolerance of and cover up of clergy sexual abuse.

I remember a time when Protestant clergy would shake their heads at the sexual scandal in the Roman Catholic Church and the abuse by priests. Many people claimed it was because of their theological error of celibacy of clergy.

But then the reports of clergy sexual abuse started appearing in Protestant congregations. Even evangelicals, who were most critical of the Roman Catholics, were frequently being accused of sexual abuse.

There are two main issues, or perhaps more accurately, sins that have taken place.

One is the actual sexual abuse itself. Clergy have used their spiritual authority to abuse people in their congregations, sexually or otherwise. Their victims have suffered incredible harm. These actions must be condemned and we must do everything we can to prevent such acts in the future.

The other is the coverup of this abuse. Some church leaders have seen the organization or the success of the mission as being more important than the victims. They see the abuse as unfortunate mistakes that must be endured because the abusers are gifted leaders who bring in the financial support. They see it as better for “a few” to suffer for the sake of the bigger picture.

The result of all this is that the church is on a steady decline of credibility. No more are “affairs” the domain of a few slimy televangelists. People see the abuse as accepted and tolerated in the congregations. If that is true, why should people listen to anything we say?

The church needs to get serious about clergy sexual abuse. This includes denominations, local congregations, and parachurch organizations. Sexual abuse must be dealt with firmly and there can be no tolerance for coverups.

What if a revealed controversy threatens to end a specific organization? So be it!

Churches must stand with the victims and stop clergy and other leaders from abusing their power.

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