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."

Current developments -

Just to stay up to date on Ralph Rutledge, I do not believe there has been any change in his status.

All the factual reports that I receive simply confirm the allegations of this blog and lead to the conclusion that he is NOT ready to restore to ministry.

This means that He should not be put in the position of Christian ministry to groups or individuals until his status changes.  I am told that he has sought renewed status within the PAOC but was not willing to enter into full accountabiity.

At the moment he has not renounced his sexual sin patterns, has not dealt with the root issues and has not entered into accountability relationships to keep him on a straight and narrow path.

I still believe it is not wise to use laying of of hands prayer for him or receive it from him.  There is a danger of transference of spirits by laying on of hands.  The predator in him may use close contact through prayer to make inappropriate advances toward men.

He still looks like the 'Golden Boy' on the outside.  My fear is that there is a wolf in sheep clothing on the inside.

We need to pray that the situation come to light.  That victims receive an apology and that the abuser become contrite.  God is at work in us in in Christ Jesus exposing evil and bring everything to light.

Shine Jesus Shine.

February 2013:  No change in status and reports continue to confirm the allegations and suspicions in this blog.  Second hand report from former secretary of Good Samaritan Church apparently said that it is all true but that those reporting the facts may be subject to legal action from Ralph Rutledge.  

The Predator Spirit in the Wolf in Sheep clothing

I have come to understand how strong is what I call the "Predator spirit" in a person.  This spirit is completely in the background while the good Christian is in the foreground.  But when there is an opportunity to devour a sheep and get away with it, then is when the Predator emerges.

Choosing the right victim:

1.  Too weak to Resist

The wounded and vulnerable sheep is selected so that they will not bring the matter to light in the future.  They lack the confidence to speak up or resist.

2.  Easily Intimidated to Keep quiet

The wounded and vulnerable sheep is easily intimidated and can be brought into submission if they try to bring these matters to light.  There are reports that Ralph Rutledge will phone anyone, young Christian men,  who begins to talk about sexual encounters with him.  He does not suffer exposure easily.

3.  So wounded that they Lack Credibility

The wounded and vulnerable sheep may be someone who is not credible, so that, if they try to bring matters to light, they can be easily discounted.

4.  Wolf can Manipulate them with their own Guilt

A christian young man will feel very guilty about the sexual sin that the pastor/wolf has lead them into.  The guilt and confusion will keep them quiet.

5.  Deep Shame wounding will block attempts to expose the Pastor/Wolf:

Shame takes away our voice - our ability and right to speak up and confront injustice.  Family upbringing of shame means that one's right to be alive is weak.  There is no way that one has the strength to confront an abuser.


There may be different types of predators.  We are mainly talking about sexual predators, about crossing people's boundaries in ways that leave the other further wounded and confused.

I cannot give you any clues, signs or signals as to who this person might be.  Of course, they themselves were abused in this way when they were vulnerable, but you do not know that.

My own evidence that Ralph Rutledge will phone someone happened when he phoned me after I began publishing about the sex scandal involving Ralph Rutledge and Queensway Cathedral.  I prefer if someone has factual information to add to this investigation that they do so in writing.  I expect the same of Ralph Rutledge not a flash phone call.

I have reported this phone call elsewhere.  My point here is that it is part of a pattern of intimidation and was not to present documented facts.  His phone call was unsuccessful in part because I know too much to believe any of his attempts to dismiss the significance of his ongoing sin.

Rutherford, the fictional representation of Rutledge in "Demons in the Sanctuary" by Mariam Bellamy, was constant in the use of intimidation.

A 'Prayerful' Seductive Approach

Some of the allegations as to how a respected pastor seduces victims is in a time of prayer.  One report alleged that Rutledge becomes uncomfortably close and a 'space invader  once you kneel down to pray.  He 'confesses' to the other and then invites them to pray for him.  What can happen at that point has been called 'Transference of spirits.'

Miriam Bellamy was warned not to pray for Ralph Rutledge by laying of of hands.  A spiritually wise woman said that she would be taking on responsibility for his behaviour if she prayed with laying of of hands.

My fear of prayer with laying of of hands is the transference of a spirit.  If, for example, there is a demonic force behind the predator behaviour - and it is very likely that this is the case - then that spirit may transfer into the victim and make them more willing to participate in a homosexual encounter that would otherwise be foreign to them.

George Hartwell M.Sc. Christian counsellor provides Christian counselling ( counseling / therapy ) through 90 minute in person sessions at his office in Mississauga.  As a professional Christian Marriage counsellor George provides Christian marriage counselling counseling for couples in Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.