Abuse Comes From Darkness
“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
-- Matthew 10:26-28
It happened years ago. Well before the times of lawsuits and disclosures. Long before he’d gained the wisdom and strength of a long life. It bothers him still. A decision he’s still not comfortable with.
For good reason.
Because what that group of deacons did was protect a church’s reputation rather than punish an offender. They covered up a pastor’s sexual exploits with teenage girls rather than face the public repercussions. They took the easy path and we all know that easy isn’t always right.
He doesn’t know what happened to the man. He could be dead by now because it happened so long ago. But sexual predators rarely stop what they’ve begun. That church almost certainly sent a predator off to find other victims.
I know. Times were different. It was long before the Catholic church scandal rocked us all. It was before such things were talked about in the open. It was back when reputation was everything and protecting that reputation was to be done at all costs.
It is easy to look back in hindsight and see the flawed logic. It is easy to condemn and lecture. But we can’t change the past. We can’t undo the wrong that was done. We can’t change a decision that should have been made differently.
Perhaps I am more sensitive than most. Years ago I knew a young woman who was sexually abused. Because she didn’t remain silent, because she didn’t go along with the wishes of others, she was ostracized by her church and her family. Yeah. I could hardly believe it either.
She spent years in therapy. She tried to commit suicide. She was bright and shining on the outside but inside she was a wounded soul. She desperately needed Jesus but seeking Him didn’t feel safe anymore.
It is never okay to cover up abuse. It is never okay to look the other way. It is never okay to pretend abuse never happened. And it is never okay to blame the victim.
If you even suspect abuse, call the authorities. The police, the Sheriff’s department, many human resources agencies, are all equipped to handle investigations. Start a safe sanctuaries program at your church. Be aware and be vigilante. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect the children around us.
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