May 24, 2026 · 1:00 am

The OTHER Church Sex Scandals, Part 2

Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hooverville, AL, Author Helmsb, (Public Domain)

We continue with our examination of the sex scandals in America’s churches and elsewhere.

Anglican Church (Church of England)

A. Anglican Church in North America

The Anglican Church in North America, which broke with the Episcopal Church in 2009 over gay clergy and the authority of Scripture, is confronted by scandals involving both Archbishop Stephen Wood (the denomination’s chief official) and Bishop Stewart Ruch III, who leads a Midwestern diocese [1A]. 

Claier Buxton, a former children’s ministry director, has accused Wood (a 62 y.o. married father of four) of sexually harassing her in 2024, shortly before his election [1B].  Buxton, also, alleges Wood gave her thousands of dollars from church funds [1C]. 

After parishioners and clergy accused Ruch of enabling men with histories of violence or sexual misconduct to serve in church roles, he was unanimously acquitted in 2025 by an ecclesiastical court [1D][2].

B. Canada

In 2015, the Anglican Church of Canada finally issued an apology for its failure to report to police a written confession in 1994 by priest and serial predator Gordon Goichi Nakayama who abused over 300 children, primarily boys ages 3-20, over the course of 62 years in ministry [3A].

C. England and Wales

There have been many cases of child sexual abuse in the Church of England and Anglican Church in Wales [3B]. 

In the 1970s, Jeremy Dowling, a lay minister and member of the general synod, was accused of sexual abuse and sadistic behavior at schools [3C].  Peter Halliday, a choirmaster and schoolmaster who had informed the church he had abused children in the 1990s, was allowed to continue working with children [3D].  Halliday was at last convicted in 2007.  In 2008, Colin Pritchard, a vicar, was convicted of sexually abusing two boys [3E]. 

The Church of England issued a rare public apology in response to a damning report about its failure to protect and care for abuse victims [3F][4].  

D. Australia

A 2013 Australian study found that Anglican child sexual abuse cases were 1/10 the number of those in the Roman Catholic child sex abuse scandal [3G]. 

This is far from consoling, particularly since a 2016 investigation centering on the Church of England Boys’ Society prompted Peter Hollingsworth, the former Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, to acknowledge that his handling of such cases between 1989 and 2001 involved serious errors of judgment [3H].

E. New Zealand

The Anglican Church in New Zealand has historically had instances of sexual abuse of children.  This abuse took place both in churches and church-run schools [3I].  In 2021, as part of a nationwide inquiry, it was determined that many documents regarding such abuse in the 1990s had gone missing [3J].

Southern Baptist Church

In 2022, an investigation by Guidepost Solutions revealed a widespread pattern of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Church from 2001 to 2021 [5][6].  Approximately 380 clergy, lay leaders, and volunteers faced allegations of sexual misconduct, leaving over 700 victims in their wake [7A].  

The misconduct was abetted by the Southern Baptist Convention’s transfer of sex offenders to other communities, and its reluctance to address the culture of abuse [7B][8].  At least, ten Southern Baptist churches unknowingly welcomed pastors, ministers, and volunteers who had already been charged with sexual misconduct [7C].

Some survivors of sexual assault were asked to get abortions for the children conceived during encounters with clergy [7D].

Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church acknowledges that clergy and staff committed acts of sexual misconduct [9].  Adults were sexually harassed by their pastor.  Children were abused.  Staff members viewed pornographic material on their church computers. 

An apology was issued in 2024 for the way the denomination prevented predators from being held accountable [10].

—

[1A through 1D]  Religion Unplugged, “Archbishop Wood Accused of Misconduct” by Mark Kellner, 10/25/25, https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/10/25/anglican-church-archbishop-wood-accused-of-misconduct-abuse-of-power.

[2]  American Anglican Council, “Summary of the Final Order in the Trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch”, 12/16/25, https://americananglican.org/summary-of-the-final-order-in-the-trial-of-bishop-stewart-ruch/.

[3A through 3J]  Wikipedia, “Anglican communion sexual abuse cases”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Communion_sexual_abuse_cases.

[4]  Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse, “The Anglican Church Investigation Report” by Prof. Alexis Jay OBE, Prof. Sir Malcolm Evans KCMG OBE, Ivor Frank, and Drusilla Sharpling OBE, October 2020, https://www.iicsa.org.uk/reports-recommendations/publications/investigation/anglican-church.html.

[5]  Helping Survivors, “Southern Baptist Church Sexual Abuse” by Kathryn Kosmides, 5/8/26, https://helpingsurvivors.org/clergy-sex-abuse/southern-baptist/.

[6]  Scribd, “Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Overview”, https://www.scribd.com/document/576005098/Baptist-church-s-sex-offenders.

[7A through 7D]  Wikipedia, “Sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_abuse_cases_in_Southern_Baptist_churches.

[8]  The Gospel Coalition (TGC), “The FAQs:  Report Reveals Sexual Abuse Cover-Up by Southern Baptist Entity” Joe Carter, 5/23/22, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faqs-sexual-abuse-southern-baptist/.

[9]  United Methodist Church, “Sexual misconduct at church:  what every member should know”, 6/9/15, https://www.umc.org/en/content/sexual-misconduct-at-church-what-every-member-should-know.

[10]  UM News, “Church apologizes for sexual misconduct” by Jessica Brodie, 5/3/24, https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-apologizes-for-sexual-misconduct.

This series will conclude next week.

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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May 17, 2026 · 1:00 am

The OTHER Church Sex Scandals, Part 1

Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, photo by Lucian Foster (1843), Source http://comevisit.com/lds/faq-dld.htm, (Public Domain)

The Roman Catholic Church child sex scandal has received a good deal of press – justifiably so.  But it is by no means the only sex scandal in America’s churches and elsewhere.

Mormon Church

We begin with sexual abuse in the Mormon Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). 

The 17 million members of the Mormon Church value marriage and family above all [1A].  The church has a strict moral code which includes abstaining from alcohol (even caffeine) and premarital sex, while fostering a deep sense of community [1B].  Unfortunately, this outward appearance of virtue hides a dark underbelly.

A culture of secrecy has enabled decades of unchecked sexual abuse [1C].  Institutional protection prioritizes the church’s reputation over the safety of its most vulnerable members [1D].  According to Mormon sexual abuse database Floodlit, at least 4195 reports of abuse have been made [2A]. 

One of the earliest publicized cases involved Joseph Bishop, a former president of the LDS Church’s Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  Although Bishop was accused of having sexually assaulted a missionary sister in the 1980s, he was allowed to continue in ministry. 

Bishop was never criminally charged because the Statute of Limitations had run.  After the legal deadline for filing rape charges was extended, a civil lawsuit was dismissed by agreement between the plaintiff and the LDS church.  Just days after the release of a trove of documents by a whistleblower website, Bishop finally admitted sexual impropriety in 2018 [1E]. 

Mormon church members who have been convicted of child sexual abuse and/or rape include Jacob Bowers, Scott Bowers (his son), Arvid Oakely, and Gerald Salcido [2B].  Salcido, a former police officer, was excommunicated.  However, the church never informed law enforcement.

Unfortunately, those who point to the fact that the Mormon Church is not a genuinely Christian denomination (with the Book of Mormon contradicting the Bible in many key respects) [3][4], and comfort themselves with the thought that evil like this is only prevalent among non-believers are merely deluding themselves.

Amish Church

Sexual abuse is widely regarded as an open secret in many Amish communities [5A]. 

Some communities have begun supporting victims [5B].  However, guided by the principle of “forgive and forget”, many continue to silence survivors, pressuring them to forgive their abusers publicly, while at the same time discouraging police involvement [5C]. 

One survivor, Lizzie Hershberger, has broken her silence, in the hope of encouraging others to come forward [5D].  Her story is told in a recently released documentary film titled “Keep Quiet and Forgive” [5E][6].  Her book “Behind Blue Curtains” is available on Amazon.

—

[1]  Survivors Rights, “The LDS Church Sexual Abuse Scandal:  A History of Cover-Ups, Betrayal, and the Fight for Justice”, 2/7,25, https://survivorsrights.com/lds-church-sexual-abuse-scandal-coverup/.

[2]  FloodLit, “Sexual Abuse in the Mormon Church”, https://floodlit.org/.

[3]  Bible Ask, “Does the Book of Mormon Contradict the Bible?”, 1/20/17 (updated 11/28/25), https://bibleask.org/does-the-book-of-mormon-contradict-the-bible/.

[4]  Institute for Religious Research, “Contradictions Between the Book of Mormon and the Bible” by Luke Wilson and Robert Bowman Jr., 7/6/11 (updated 12/1/25), https://mit.irr.org/contradictions-between-book-of-mormon-and-bible.

[5A through 5E]  KPBS Public Media, “Independent Lens:  Keep Quiet and Forgive” by Jennifer Robinson, 3/10/26, https://www.kpbs.org/news/2026/03/10/independent-lens-keep-quiet-and-forgive.

[6]  Fillmore County Journal, “Amish Sexual Abuse Survivor Shares Story in PBS Documentary” by Charlene Corson Selbee, 3/23/26, https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/amish-sexual-abuse-survivor-shares-story-in-pbs-documentary/.

Part 2 in this series re: the Anglican, Baptist, and Methodist Churches will be posted next week.

Taxpayer funded sexual harassment settlements involving federal lawmakers totaled $550,000 in recent decades, with the largest settlement for $220,000 made on behalf of Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings (now deceased).

For more information, see https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/previously-unaccounted-for-case-shows-taxpayers-bankrolled-more-than-550000-in-congressional-sexual-harassment-settlements/ar-AA238iVv?ocid=BingNewsSerp,

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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May 10, 2026 · 1:00 am

Coerced Abortion

Hand holding a generic abortion pill pack containing 1 mifepristone and 4 misoprostol, Author plancpillsdotorg (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

WARNING:  Graphic Images

Catherine Herring of Texas was unknowingly given the abortion pill seven times by her husband, in his attempt to kill their unborn child [1A][2A].  Thankfully, the baby girl, Josephine, survived.  Tragically, this was not an isolated incident.

Coercion

Forced abortions are employed by men seeking to evade the responsibility of having fathered a child, by parents seeking to avoid social stigma, by child abusers seeking to hide their crimes, and by sex traffickers seeking to eliminate the inconvenience of a pregnancy among their victims [2B].

“Abortion clinics cannot claim to be pro-woman while at the same time allowing the majority of their clients to be pressured into unwanted abortions [5B].”

-David Reardon, PhD

A 2023 peer reviewed study published in the Cureus Journal of Medicine found that nearly 70% of abortions in the United States were unwanted, coerced, and/or inconsistent with the mother’s values [2C][3][4].

That confirms earlier research which indicated over 60% of women who had abortions faced high levels of external pressure to end their pregnancies [5A].

Aftermath

These women afterwards experienced negative emotions, including feelings of loss, grief, and/or sadness about the abortion [5C].  Intrusive thoughts, including flashbacks to the abortion, interfered with their daily lives, work, and relationships [5D].

These findings run counter to the Turnaway Study which had reported a 99% post-abortion satisfaction rate by women, but had a low participation rate and relied on a single query [5E].  It, also, runs counter to the pro-abortion rallying cry “My Body, My Choice”. Continue reading →

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May 3, 2026 · 1:00 am

Retraumatization

Battling PTSD, Source https://flickr.com, Author US Marines (PD as work product of federal govt.)

Retraumatization is defined as re-experiencing a past traumatic event as if it were occurring in the present [1A].  Retraumatization calls up and heightens the emotions and sensations of the original trauma we experienced.  We once again feel powerless and under threat.

Sources of Retraumatization

The sources of retraumatization are innumerable, and as unique as the individual. 

Potential sources, however, can include:  stress; sights, sounds, or smells similar to the original traumatic event; song lyrics evocative of the original traumatic event; movies similar to the original traumatic event; news stories similar to the original traumatic event; illness or injury (with or without hospitalization); loss of a loved one, a pet, or a meaningful possession; dysfunctional relationships; and natural disasters [1B][2A].

Exposure to someone else’s trauma (whether a family member, friend, or public figure) can be likewise detrimental [2B].

Trauma-Informed Healthcare

It is imperative that healthcare professionals recognize trauma is not limited to physical injury from falls or gunshots [3A].  Negative experiences in childhood are highly prevalent.  These can include not only childhood abuse, but parental mental illness or imprisonment. Continue reading →

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April 26, 2026 · 1:00 am

Good Men

Domestic violence has again been in the news lately.  But I received the following response from an old friend, on the topic:

I don’t claim to understand the violence in society. I do know there are many men out there who are as outraged as I am. I am lucky enough to go to a church with many good men.

We have a monthly men’s lunch to talk and share stories. Guess who organizes this group?
Don’t give up on us!
                                        Steve

With that in mind, I thought it worthwhile to republish the following post.

Despite what some women may have experienced, there are good men out there. The trick can be finding them. For that, we have to apply appropriate criteria [1] [2].

While this is not a dating guide, I offer you some of the Bible’s advice on the topic. The language may sound old fashioned, but the sentiments apply to our day.

A good man exemplifies integrity, both in his public and private life. This should be the standard women, also, demand of themselves.

“If I have walked with falsehood, Or if my foot has hastened to deceit, Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity” (Job 31: 5-6).

A good man deals justly with others, whatever their status. 

“If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me, What then shall I do when God rises up?…Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?…” (Job 31: 13-15, 21-22).

A good man sets godly priorities in his life, actively living out his faith. This means more than his just attending church on Sundays. It involves forgiving others; extending help to the needy; and trying to do right in all things. It does not involve a pompous or superior attitude. Continue reading →

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April 19, 2026 · 1:00 am

Rationalization

Diagram “The Thinking Human” by Rene Descartes Source Scanned by Dagfinn Døhl Dybvig & Magne Dybvig from “Descartes:  The World and Other Writings”, (PD)

WARNING:  Graphic Images

It is difficult for most of us to understand the reasoning of abusers (pedophiles among them).

What lies do they tell themselves?  How can they reconcile their actions and the harm they inflict with a positive self-image, and avoid being overcome by guilt and shame?

Psychologists tell us this is accomplished through rationalization and a series of related defense mechanisms which include minimization, reframing, projection, entitlement, externalization, and moral disengagement [1][2].

Rationalization

Rationalization is the umbrella mechanism which allows abusers to justify their actions, rather than acknowledging the uncomfortable truth [3].  “He was asking for it.”  “She made me do it.”

Many abusers will focus on their own intent, rather than the harm actually done to victims. “I never meant to hurt her.”

Associated with this, some abusers will use self-loathing as a means of manipulation. But statements like “I’m toxic”, “I hate myself for what I do to you”, and “I don’t deserve you” are no guarantees of changed behavior.

Minimization

Minimization allows the abuser to downplay the severity of the harm he is inflicting.  “It wasn’t that bad.”  “He’s too young to remember, anyway.”

Abusers will refer to trauma they may have experienced in the past as justification for the trauma they, themselves, are inflicting in the present.  “After all, I only used my hand on the boy.  My father used to beat me with a belt.”

Reframing

This approach shifts the focus from the abuser to the emotion which supposedly overwhelmed him, making it sound as if the abusive behavior was unintentional.  It ignores the ongoing pattern of abuse.  “I just snapped.” “It was in the heat of the moment.”

Alternatively, the abuse is mischaracterized as a form of instruction or correction.  “I was only teaching her about sex.”  This is, also, applied to emotional abuse.  “It was tough love.”  “I was only being real.”

Projection

Projection allows the abuser to attribute his own undesirable traits, feelings, or inclinations to others [4].  “I don’t care if she was only 9 y.o.  She wanted sex.  I could tell by the way she looked at me.” Continue reading →

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April 12, 2026 · 1:00 am

Witnessing Evil – Secondary Trauma

Plate No. 9 (“They Do Not Want To”) from the series “The Disasters of War” by Francisco Goya (1810s), Source Arno Schmidt Reference Library (PD)

The impact of witnessing trauma of any kind is profound. This is known as secondary or vicarious trauma. It leaves a scar on the psyche. Symptoms can range from sadness, fear, and guilt, to anxiety and emotional numbness [1A].

Secondary Trauma

Of course, trauma takes many forms and is not limited to abuse. We may, for instance, witness an auto accident, seeing victims removed from the scene. Those in law enforcement, emergency care, and frontline journalism frequently experience this [1B][2].

But many of us will encounter secondary trauma simply through life experience.

A. Domestic Violence

Children who witness domestic violence in the home are exposed to evil firsthand, and are most vulnerable to the effects of vicarious trauma. It shapes their character and their view of the world even if they, themselves, are not the victims.

Boys are far more likely to become abusers; girls, to seek out abusers as partners. The statistics are appalling [3].

B. Bullying

We may as children have seen others bullied, feeling powerless, ourselves, to intervene.

C. Vicarious Abuse

Whether as children or adults, we may see a beloved friend or relative gradually worn away by domestic violence, her self-esteem eroded.

Though we may never actually see the blows struck, this is for us, in effect, vicarious abuse. If we try unsuccessfully to persuade that friend or relative to leave her situation, we are bound to feel frustrated, angry, and helpless.

What We Can Do

If we do lose a loved one to abuse, we are not as helpless as we may feel.

A few of us may become advocates, as a result, in or out of the courtroom. Far more will go on to interact with countless other women we can educate about domestic violence. While we may never give formal lectures, we can share our experience with friends, coworkers, and a host of others.

As important, we can treat them the way they should be treated. And we can raise our own children to know they deserve better from a relationship.

That has the power to save lives.

—

[1A and 1B] Office for Victims of  Crime (OVC), “The Vicarious Trauma Tool Kit — What Is Vicarious Trauam?”, https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/vtt/what-is-vicarious-trauma.

[2] ACLS, “Understanding Secondary Trauma: The Impact of Witnessing Traumatic Events” by Melanie Kolmetz, DFAAPA, EMT-P, https://acls.com/articles/the-impact-of-witnessing-traumatic events/.

[3] Domestic Shelters, “Children and Domestic Violence”, 1/17/15, https://domesticshelters.org/resources/statistics/children-and-domestic-violence.

The US Supreme Court has ruled against a Colorado law which prohibited so called “conversion therapy” in cases of gender dysphoria.  The Supreme Court considers such counseling “free speech,” therefore, protected. 

See, https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/supreme-court-rules-conversion-therapy/4081114/.

Some 23 states have prohibited licensed Christian counselors from exploring underlying issues with patients suffering from this condition, or advising how they might align their perceived gender and biological sex.  

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT:  https://alawyersprayers.com

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April 5, 2026 · 1:00 am

Easter Sunday

Children dressed for Easter, Tallahassee, FL (1957), Source/Author Florida Memory, State Library and Archives, https://floridamemory.com/items/show/261196 (PD per Section 257.35(6) Florida Statutes)

Easter Sunday was an important day on the calendar when we were children. 

We would be dressed in our best Spring finery for church – Easter bonnets, white cotton gloves, starched dresses, lace anklets, patent leather shoes.  With trees coming into bud and daffodils in bloom, the whole world seemed fresh and new.

Of course, appearances can be deceiving.  Child abuse can be disguised for the world.  But no amount of chocolate eggs or jelly beans can make up for it.

These days the focus seems more on the Easter bunny than the Resurrection.  Which is a tragedy, since it is Christ who offers abuse victims genuine comfort and healing. 

He offers us, in fact, a new life (whatever may have caused our scars).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5: 17).

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

 

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March 29, 2026 · 1:00 am

Sins Against Self, Part 2

“Jesus of the Stripped Loyalty with Green Tunic” (10th Station of the Cross), Source/Author Aendomekio3 (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

We continue our examination of sins against the self to which abuse victims are prone [1].

Self-Pity/Self-Hatred/Self-Harm

We hate ourselves not only for the sins against us, but for the sins we have committed, and the mistakes we have made – sometimes wallowing in self-pity, sometimes consumed with self-contempt [2][3].  This manifests as a harshly self-critical inner dialog or continuous stream of negative thoughts.  We may even contemplate self-harm [4].

Self-Reliance

In fleeing from a God we hold responsible for our abuse or believe abandoned us, we may choose extreme self-reliance [5].  This is a brittle defense which fails to take into account the fact that all we are, and all we have, is from God.  Endurance, itself, is a form of His grace.

Suffering as a Gift

Whether we realize it or not, we are engaged in a lifelong spiritual battle.  Not because we were once victimized, but because Satan wants all of us (abuse victims or not) to feel victimized for the rest of our lives.  He wants us focused inward on ourselves and our wounds, rather than outward toward God and others.

That is not, however, God’s plan for us.  Which is why He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us – for our sins, the whole long list.  And to offer us instead an abundant life. Continue reading →

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March 22, 2026 · 8:48 am

Sins Against Self, Part 1

Medieval flagellants as pictured in Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514) (PD)

As abuse victims, we are, for the most part, more sinned against than sinning.  Abuse leaves a devastating scar across our lives.  About that there is no doubt.

That does not, however, mean we do not sin, ourselves.  Many of our own sins are against the self, a direct result of the abuse we suffered [1][2].  And God loves us so much He wants better for us than that.

Low Self-Esteem

Believing ourselves worthless, we treat ourselves that way.  We view any kindness toward ourselves as undeserved, and turn aside those who would love us (sometimes causing unintended pain to others, in the process).

Disordered Sexuality

In a desperate effort to find the love we were denied, we seek it in all the wrong places.  Far too often, we are drawn to partners who re-enact the abuse so familiar to us.  Or we settle for less than we deserve, giving ourselves away to any comers, rather than respecting our own bodies. 

A few of us take the other direction, and forego the sexuality with which God endowed us or reject the gender God assigned us.  That is no wiser, though it may temporarily feel safer.

We may assume this does not grieve God, but it does [3].  He suffers with us, and weeps for us. Continue reading →

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