“Cases of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church” by Christian Seebauer, (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
We conclude our examination of the numerous sexual abuse scandals in America’s churches and elsewhere.
A Failure of Faith?
These scandals are not isolated incidents. They represent thousands upon thousands of lives impacted. The scale of the betrayal is staggering.
Tragically, children make ideal victims. They are small, vulnerable, powerless, and easily convinced (or coerced) into keeping their abuse secret.
And the wounds inflicted on children by sexual abuse are not readily visible, though the scars may last a lifetime.
Everywhere the pattern here was the same. Sin was carried out under the guise of piety.
When it was uncovered, the predators were deliberately shielded from punishment by manmade institutions that claim to be Christian. Steps were taken to protect those manmade institutions, rather than the members of the Body of Christ.
This was not a failure of Christianity as a religion, though it undoubtedly resulted in many victims losing their faith. It was a monumental failure of the manmade institutions established for the very purpose of honoring and protecting that faith.
The Appropriate Christian Response
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles…And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you”(1 Cor. 5: 1-2).
As Christians, we are required to submit to the authority of God, and instructed even to submit to others in the interest of harmony (1 Peter 2: 13 – 3: 37) [1].
Justice, however, is a biblical mandate (Isa. 1: 17; Micah 6: 8). That involves advocating for the oppressed, defending the rights of the weak, and working towards a society that reflects God’s own character [2A][3A].
We are not required to remain silent in the face of evil, and simply endure its consequences. We are to pursue what meager justice this world has to offer, for justice is a reflection of God’s concern for the vulnerable [3B].
We are to root out sin, confront, and expose it, especially in the church (1 Cor. 5: 4-5; Eph. 5: 11-13) [2B][4]. Immorality defiles the church.
As for forgiveness, that is a personal matter between each victim and abuser, as well as between each victim and God. No church of whatever denomination has the right to pressure a victim into forgiveness.
Forgiveness, in any case, does not preclude prosecution under the law.
—
[1] Bible.org, “Taking a Second Look at Submission 1 Peter 2: 13 – 3: 37); https://bible.org/seriespage/15-taking-second-look-submission-1-peter-213-37.
[2A and 2B] BibleHub, “The Role of Justice in Christian Life”, https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_role_of_justice_in_christian_life.htm.
[3A and 3B] Inspiration Portal, “Justice and the Bible: A Christian Perspective on Pursuing Righteousness”, 3/7/25, https://inspirationportal.org/justice-and-the-bible-a-christian-perspective-on-pursuing-righteousness/.
[4] Got Questions, “How should sin in the church be handled?”, https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-in-the-church.html.
Parts 1 and 2 in this series were posted 5/17 and 5/24/26, respectively.
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com
A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
Justice is coming Anna. I never thought I would witness times that we are living in.😢
I feel the same way. 😦
Thank you for pointing this out. Without question, we have an obligation to root this out, and any internal or social pressure within the Church to keep it quiet needs to be just as ruthlessly exposed. Not doing so is a failure of our responsibilities and Christian obligation. It saddens me you had to point it out, but it is the reality we are in.
“The scale of the betrayal is staggering.”
Betrayal. Such actions by a clergyman or woman of church office really are a betrayal. Betrayal of the Lord comes to mind first. Billy Graham once said “Do not deny the Christ. To deny the Christ is to recrucify the Christ”. When we may become predators that may be considered a sickness but to deny the horror of one’s actions and not to seek professional or religious or other behavior healers denies the Christ . It then becomes a sin. The sin compounds if the behavior continues and wounds victims. The clergyman betrays the faith, the church, the congregation, the victims and their families and one’s oath at ordination. Does the predator behavior become an evil if not addressed ? Certainly somewhat but the addiction enslaves us and may prevent behavior modification as when we betray the Christ, we recrucify the Christ. One then becomes trapped and possessed by evil. Sometimes I wonder if the promised redemption is even possible any more. Sometimes the Christian requirement of me to forgive becomes elusive for me. I admit that that Lord is so much more generous than I could ever be.
I am in much the same shoes, Carl. I find it difficult to forgive such evil.
Anna, When a church protects a child abuser that reveals a total lack of integrity. If church leaders have no integrity, what other dishonest acts have they done or might they do in the future? They can never again be trusted.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matt. 7: 21-23).
Well said, Anna. I know you’re talking about church abuse right now, but I’m curious about the mechanism or psychology that makes some people want to cover up or enable offenders? We have that going on in two very secular school districts in my state. A superintendent and a principal were actually arrested for non reporting, tampering with witnesses, etc. It’s probably just the wail of my soul lamenting “why,” but I seriously don’t get it.
I am at a loss for an explanation, Gabrielle. I think for many people it is simply easier to pretend evil does not exist.
Make no mistake, sin is everywhere. Out job is to bring it to light and help the victims through it!