The Blood is on Your Hands

Here is a recent news item:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A bishop in the Roman Catholic Church has been indicted for failure to report suspected child abuse, the first time in the 25-year history of the church’s sex abuse scandals that the leader of an American diocese has been held criminally liable for the behavior of a priest he supervised.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/kansas-city-bishop-indicted-in-reporting-of-abuse-by-priest.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Notice that an overseer was considered responsible to report and deal with suspected child or sexual abuse.  

Why is it that we understand this responsibility when it does not touch us.  We are not talking about our beloved head pastor, minister.  

Our loyalty to our beloved leader interferes with our considering any report of financial or sexual abuse.  The loyal congregation, often the loyal elders, close ranks against anyone who raises the issue.  We also close our spiritual eyes of discernment and do not catch the Spirit's warning.

At Alderwood United Church there were several reports suggesting that the pastor at the time, Rev Harold Moddle, was involved sexually with young men staying at the manse.  When the Eldership Team was approached with the suggestion that it was their responsibility to either clear his name or deal with his sin, they dropped the ball.

The right thing to do would be to gather the information from the witnesses.  Investigate the reports.  After that the elder could clear his name because there was no confirming evidence.  Alternatively, they could ask Rev. Moddle to step down from his position because the evidence of professional misconduct was too strong.

They took another approach.  They talked to Rev. Harold Moddle and received a denial.  They chose not to investigate the reports but to believe his denial.  But, if he was an abuser would he not be expected to deny these reports.

Scripture does not say that facts can be established by asking one party.  Courts do not just hear from one side of a legal dispute.  Scientists cannot refuse the evidence that confirms or denies their theories.  Every dispute has two sides and the elders at Alderwood acted in an irresponsible manner when they did not do due diligence.

Jesus said the a wolf in Sheep's clothing can be detected by his public persona but by his fruits.  This means actual investigation of his behaviour and reports from independent witnesses.

When a bishop is held responsible for not dealing with the information that he had, it is clear that we are all responsible to bring truth to light, to expose evil, but to do so in a fair and balanced way.  There is a process to follow to deal with abuse, allegations of abuse and this allows us to proceed in a fair and balanced way.

The bishop is held responsible for not acting on the information he had.  Church boards can be held responsible for not confronting an issue brought to their attention.  Ralph Rutledge's boards had, and have, the responsibility to investigate the information that is brought to light.  

In God's eyes, they clear their name when they do their best to investigate the matter, to discover the facts and then to act on those facts.  Blood is on their hands if they do not.

I have tried to be fair and balanced in bringing the information about Ralph Rutledge to light.  I continue to apply journalistic guidelines and standards in all that I report.  I have attempted to confirm reports and investigate sources.

There are supporters of Rutledge who support by attacking me.  However, if you care about Ralph Rutledge and want to defend him, then join me in seeking facts not attacking people.  

 The facts are, unfortunately, often not out in the light.  We are talking about actions taken in private and behind closed doors.  The way to the truth is to respect and listen to a variety of reports and sources and take fairly seriously the first hand reports of those whose lives have been touched by Ralph Rutledge in an sinful defiling way.

Please be patient with me.  This process needs to be loving and careful; respectful of both Ralph Rutledge and of the Body of Christ.  The way I choose is to carefully deal with evil is by exposing it to light, to truth, to truth spoken in love.  It takes great love, courage and wisdom to confront in a godly way.  I have done that as God's servant and in God's way.

"have no fellowship with the unfruiful works of darkness, but rather expose them."  Ephesians 5:11.

"A fact is established in the mouth of two or three witnesses."