@ArchbishopFoley, @The_ACNA and @frandrewgross, can you point to a credible source that supports not hiring a qualified AND independent professional to be the best course of action? I’m all ears.
@ArchbishopFoley@The_ACNA@frandrewgross Some reference points (note: not from the legal research I referenced earlier, just a cursory Google search): this article gives a rundown of what happened with the Sovereign Grace Ministries abuse scandal:
@ArchbishopFoley@The_ACNA@frandrewgross@R_Denhollander – who is a respected and seasoned voice in these matters – is quoted in it: "“Regarding the other objections SGC raises to an independent review, these simply are not valid objections,” Denhollander wrote.
@ArchbishopFoley@The_ACNA@frandrewgross “Every institution that desires to pursue truth and accountability must sift through these questions, and numerous Christian experts are available to help properly exegete Biblical standards of justice and accountability". @R_Denhollander
@ArchbishopFoley@The_ACNA@frandrewgross "An independent review by a qualified firm requires HIGHER, not lower, standards than the less-defined and basic standards set out in Scripture.” @R_Denhollander (Emphasis mine)
@ArchbishopFoley@The_ACNA@frandrewgross "In addition 2 providing multiple alternatives&structures for an examination, I offered 2 help identify multiple independent firms capable of carrying out such an examination&offered to help with fundraising&financing to not place an undue financial burden on SGC.@R_Denhollander
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
I came across an article today from Christianity Today's former Editor in Chief @markgalli regarding the Sovereign Grace Ministries abuse scandal. He makes key arguments regarding the importance of an independent investigation...
...that are worth revisiting at this crucial time in @The_ACNA. Let's take a posture of humility and learn from other denominations past mistakes: christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/march-…
"It’s time for healing to begin. But that healing can't begin until we all know the exact nature and extent of the wound; until all the facts are out in the open; until the truth that liberates can be known; and most importantly, if and when it is pertinent, there is repentance."
Today I was asked, "At what point do we stop hoping they will “do better”, and ruefully recognize that the PRT and the leadership of the Province as a whole simply cannot respond with humility or sensitive hearts...". #ACNAtoo@ArchbishopFoley@The_ACNA@frandrewgross
My answer was this: I have many thoughts around this question, as it is a crucial one for all of us to be aware of as we sift & sort information as it becomes available. I'll offer my take, but I'm not prescribing it as a universal...
I think we all have various roles to play in this hard situation. Some need to publicly confront. Some need to advocate behind the scenes. Some need to be networkers who get the right people in the right place.
"Louder for the people in the back":
Decidedly me ⬆️.
Yesterday morning the Anglican Church in North America's Provincial Response Team sent out "A Statement on the Resignations from the Provincial Response Team".
As you might recall, I wrote this team a very concerned email two weeks ago. As of the writing of this post, I've not received any response beyond a generic auto-response email.
I understand my letter might not be a priority over abuse survivors who are writing them, but I did – mistakenly – think it was reasonable to hear something within two weeks.
How is it that after all this, all this time, all this waiting – what you have to present to victims and the #ACNAtoo team are two firms who do not abide by the most basic requests for an abuse investigation?
How is it that even after Church of the Resurrection and the Upper Midwest Diocese's leadership committed to an open, fair, and survivor-centered investigation, you, PRT, are backpedaling on those commitments?
Bishop Stewart himself stated in his June 29th, 2021 letter, "Let me speak to the independent review...
I want to speak to the concerns that have been raised about the firm’s process, concerns that I can imagine some of you may share.
As I mentioned in my Sunday post (regarding the current abuse scandal in @The_ACNA, @ChurchRez, @MidwestAnglican, I wrote the Provinicial Respose Team a letter.
I've held that letter for the last few days to weigh and consider whether it would be beneficial to share with a wider audience. Upon seeing the alarming news today that Mark Rivera, who has 9 felony counts of child sexual assault against him...
...has once again been bailed out of jail with merely an ankle bracelet (!) and this is the second time his bond has been paid for him – to the tune of a total of $40,000 posted on his behalf – I've decided to post my 3+ page letter in full below.
This bleeds out to other parishioners who, following the leader's lead, presume the worst of people who question, thereby tightening the circle ever more.
I could go on. There are seven other similar situations I'm personally familiar with that I'm not at liberty to share. "Spiritual hazing" is a term that's come up recently and I'm sorry to say it's an apt one in many of these cases.
I could say a lot about how Rez uses its membership contract and adjoining Church Unity Pledge, and I might.
I could say a lot about the yo-yo-ing of Rez leaders being distant and then micromanaging, and I might.