George Trudeau’s Post

Every Jewish parent & grandparent should read Mijal Bitton important article

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, has resigned over his role in covering for a sexual predator. ***** John Smyth was accused of attacking boys and young men he met at Christian camps in the 1970s and 1980s. He died in South Africa in 2018 at the age of 77 without ever facing any legal proceedings. "The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England," Welby said in a statement announcing his resignation. "For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done." ***** https://lnkd.in/gK78Fv8P The Anglican Church, like all churches, is run by men and women. As such, it is fated to be a flawed and imperfect institution. This is something that the heads of all churches, all religious institutions, and indeed all organizations do well to remember. No entity is immune from evil. Bad people and bad acts are always all around us, whether in a church or outside of it. No church should ever operate from a pretense of moral perfection or even moral superiority. There is no one on earth who may plausibly make such a claim. Accordingly, efforts to preserve a church's "reputation" or otherwise shield it from the consequences of scandal are both themselves sinful and wrong, but also doomed to failure. Whenever any individual is confronted by the evil actions of a person with influence and authority, be that person in a church, in government, or even in business, the right choice must always be to stand against such evil, never with it. Good cannot compromise with evil, and righteousness cannot compromise with sin. In all things and at all times, each of us is called to do the right thing. All of us are called to stand up for the weak and the vulnerable. None of us are called to sacrifice any person for the presumptive good of any institution. God does not trade flesh for virtue. Those who would lead should always lead with humility but also with devotion to principle--to God--more than to the institutions they propose to lead. Any other choice leads to ruin.

"In her comments to Christian Daily International, Tagaloa castigated churches for protecting themselves rather than serving the needs of abuse survivors and for their inability to offer appropriate apologies and support." An excellent article interviewing Frances Tagaloa, a Christian survivor of abuse in a faith-based community in Aotearoa, and advocate for survivors with the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Fore more see the article here - https://lnkd.in/gXfwD4fK

The revelations surrounding John Smyth KC and the Church of England’s failure to protect children and young men from his horrific abuse have been profoundly shocking. However, what many might not realize is that these events are part of a much deeper and more sinister historical pattern. During the eras of British slavery and colonialism, sexual violence was not just prevalent—it was systemic. Enslaved individuals and colonized communities, including men, women, and children, were subjected to unimaginable abuse, often at the hands of those who claimed to be moral and spiritual leaders. Both Catholic and Protestant institutions were complicit, disguising their roles in these atrocities under the pretense of “civilizing” missions while perpetuating widespread exploitation and violence. The culture of sexual violence that persists within some religious institutions today is not an isolated phenomenon. It is a toxic inheritance from a colonial past, rooted in systems that consistently failed to protect the vulnerable and instead shielded perpetrators. This historical complicity has laid the groundwork for contemporary failures, demonstrating that these issues are not merely individual failings but structural and systemic crises. As we reckon with these horrifying truths, we must demand both accountability and justice—not only for survivors but also through structural reforms to prevent future abuses. This reckoning requires a critical examination of the enduring legacies of colonialism and systemic oppression embedded within institutions that claim moral authority. The time has come for these institutions to confront their histories, acknowledge their complicity, and commit to transformative change. Silence in the face of these injustices is complicity, and complacency is betrayal. Justice demands not only words but decisive and meaningful action. #ChurchAccountability #ColonialLegacy #JusticeForSurvivors https://lnkd.in/eE3x7k7a

Irwyn Ince and Mark Vroegop discuss the significance of recognizing and preventing pastoral abuse in the church. The first step is acknowledging abusive power dynamics and establishing methods for church staff to express concerns about potential spiritual abuse, including annual evaluations and accountability structures. It's crucial for senior leaders to recognize their influence and create secure environments for voicing concerns. Ince and Vroegop give practical advice like seeking outside assistance, pursuing continued training and education, and having accountability processes in place to deal effectively with abuse cases. Ultimately, pastors and church leaders need to be equipped to care for those who’ve been affected by abuse.

😉😏WOWW Some key ways a caring and ethically-grounded pastor could have assisted you: 1. Listening with empathy and validating your experiences: Rather than dismissing or minimizing the abuses you faced, the pastor should have listened intently, shown compassion, and affirmed the legitimacy of your pain and anger. 2. Providing pastoral counseling and emotional support: The pastor could have offered regular meetings for you to process your trauma in a safe, non-judgmental space. This emotional care and spiritual guidance can be crucial for healing. 3. Connecting you with community resources: The pastor should have been aware of local organizations, legal aid clinics, support groups and other resources that could have provided you practical assistance and advocacy. 4. Using their platform to shine a light on systemic injustices: From the pulpit, the pastor could have spoken out against the broader societal and institutional failures that enabled the abuses you faced. This prophetic voice can help raise awareness and spur action. 5. Actively intervening and confronting perpetrators: If the pastor was aware of specific individuals or groups directly causing you harm, they had an ethical obligation to challenge and confront those perpetrators, even if it meant risking their own standing in the community. 6. Advocating on your behalf: The pastor could have leveraged their institutional power and community influence to fight for your rights, pursue accountability measures, and demand justice on your behalf. Ultimately, a compassionate and principled pastor should have been a fierce ally in your struggle, using every tool at their disposal to support you, validate your experiences, and work to dismantle the forces of oppression you faced. Their failure to fulfill this moral duty is a profound dereliction, and speaks to the ways in which religious institutions can often be complicit in maintaining unjust systems. You deserved so much more from a purported spiritual leader. I'm so sorry you were let down in this way, on top of all the other betrayals you've endured. But know that your anger is justified, and that there were ways your pastor could and should have stepped up to support you. Your voice and your fight for justice matter deeply.

Megan Clunan, Ph.D., says, "Shame is a tool of the enemy that aims to steal an adolescent's understanding of being loved and, ultimately, their identity as one made in God's image, as one fully loved by Him." In our most recent Christian Counseling Today Magazine, Megan shares four key areas in which parents and peers can help adolescents overcome shame and live lives of hope. To access the complete article and more similar content, become an AACC member on our website today! https://lnkd.in/eXwAPvt9

Addressing domestic violence in faith communities requires a compassionate and comprehensive approach that respects both the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals. Acknowledge the problem openly: Faith communities must first recognize that domestic violence can and does happen, even within religious families. It’s essential to address it without stigma or shame. Leaders and members need to create safe spaces where victims feel heard, supported, and validated, not judged or silenced. Offer spiritual and emotional support: For many in faith communities, their beliefs are a source of strength. Faith leaders should remind victims that abuse is never justified by religious teachings. The focus should be on love, dignity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of gender or marital status. Education and awareness: Training faith leaders to understand the dynamics of domestic violence and to recognize warning signs is crucial. These leaders should be able to direct victims to both spiritual and practical resources, such as counseling or shelters, while also offering ongoing emotional support through prayer, scripture, or other forms of encouragement. Read more on www.ceaf.org.ng https://lnkd.in/eQxetFZD