Thomas Cassidy said:This is the logical conclusion of Hyles "Cover it up for the sake of the ministry" disaster.Walt said:I can only quote others: Horrible stories; such pastors are surely cursed.
The cover up becomes the main issue and the main issue is forced into the background.
Now, instead of the church standing by the victims the church leadership including the pastor are in jeopardy of prosecution for the cover up!
I have only ever seen it done properly once. Here in San Diego it was discovered that a pastor was molesting little girls. The deacons and other pastoral staff met to discuss how this was to be handled. After a couple hours of various methods of cover up were discussed, one of the staff members reached over and picked up the phone and dialed 911 and told the dispatcher what had happened. The pastor went to prison. The staff member was ostracized by the deacons and other staff and he and his family eventually left the church. But at least he did the right thing. When the very first allegation was made the police should have been notified and they should have conducted the investigation without interference and with total cooperation from the church and staff members.
Interesting. it should never be covered up -- but can you imagine if the accusations were false?