65 replies to this topic

[sjdawg]

Duncan, on 26 April 2012 - 01:45 PM, said:

my idea for any issue involving legal issues like this is to call the police then the Church, let the cops figure out things and when the dust settles the Church can get involved if need be

I agree.  That is the best response.  Let the police investigate and determine if there has been any wrong doing.

[sjdawg]

rpn, on 27 April 2012 - 05:44 PM, said:

I think your error is in stating that the fact that persons are CHARGED, means they didn't do something.  Arguably it means a prosecutor believes the bishop didn't do it, but that doesn't mean the bishop didn't do it (and also doesn't mean that the bishop SHOULD have done it --- in the one case the suspected abuse WAS reported by multiple people with more first hand knowledge than the bishop).

Hasn't one of them already pled guilty?

[Zeta-Flux]

sjdawg, on 30 April 2012 - 03:14 PM, said:

I agree.  That is the best response.  Let the police investigate and determine if there has been any wrong doing.

Except that in some states YOU could be breaking the law for such behavior.  In some states it is ILLEGAL (for Bishops) to report child abuse due to the clergy privilege.

Furthermore, as pointed out by others, if it is reported the wrong way then that evidence could be thrown out and not used to help the individual.  Calling the hotline provides you with the best chance of actually helping the person in need.

Edited by Zeta-Flux, 30 April 2012 - 06:18 PM.

[ERayR]

sjdawg, on 30 April 2012 - 03:14 PM, said:

Duncan, on 26 April 2012 - 02:45 PM, said:

my idea for any issue involving legal issues like this is to call the police then the Church, let the cops figure out things and when the dust settles the Church can get involved if need be


I agree.  That is the best response.  Let the police investigate and determine if there has been any wrong doing.

Exactly the wrong approach for everybody involved.

[sjdawg]

Zeta-Flux, on 30 April 2012 - 06:15 PM, said:

Except that in some states YOU could be breaking the law for such behavior.  In some states it is ILLEGAL (for Bishops) to report child abuse due to the clergy privilege.

Furthermore, as pointed out by others, if it is reported the wrong way then that evidence could be thrown out and not used to help the individual.  Calling the hotline provides you with the best chance of actually helping the person in need.

Sorry, I didn't mean in cases in which it was done in confessional.  I meant when the Bishop became aware of an allegation through other means.  (victim complaint or otherwise).

[rpn]

Given the initial poster's position, thought you might like to read the advice from the May 2012 edition of "A Monthlly Publication of the Christian Law Association The Legal Alert" on child ministries:  "...Third, every church must properly respond to abuse allegations.  If abuse allegations are made, the pastor should immediately contactt the church's attorney to ensure proper handling of the situation.  The church should then conduct an internal investigaiton of the allegations.  You should inform the worker of the allegations and discuss the situation with the worker.  You must also immediatley remove the accused from their position while the investigation is conducted.  This protects the worker and the ministry.  You should also contact your insurance carrier adn put them on notice.  After discussing the findings with your attorney, you would then decide whether this situation requires reporting to the authorities. ..."  (Emphasis added.)

And notice that this isn't even about allegations learned of in confessionals.

Other faiths have said how much they admire the LDS hotline, which was among the first, if not THE first of all faith group efforts to better address abuse allegations.

Edited by rpn, 07 May 2012 - 01:36 PM.