Vienna presbyterian church font8/30/2023 Statute of limitations or raising questions about the sexual histories The correspondence shows that the church balkedĪt the idea of defending potential lawsuits by invoking the two-year Officials responded with adamant refusals to let legal interests steer GuideOne and a lawyer it hired to defend the church against possibleĬlaims raised adamant concerns about the church's approach. The discussions also led to the decision toĪcknowledge failures in responding to the abuse, apologize to victims Reported him to authorities he later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanorĬharge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and received a Resigned in September 2005 amid the allegations. "crossed the boundary of emotional and physical propriety in his That Eric DeVries, the church's student ministries director, had Jury awardsĪnd settlements have ranged from tens of thousands of dollars to manyįive years ago, Vienna Presbyterian officials learned People alleging sexual abuse by clergy or church employees. Put their church at risk of financial claims that could end itsĭozens of lawsuits have been filed against churches by Often creates liability in a world that's adversarial, in the judicialĭilemma: if they do what they feel is right in the eyes of God, they can Of forgiveness, of being forthright and open and truthful, but that Whose company, the McCalmon Group, is hired by insurers to help churches Of conflict is happening all the time," says Jack McCalmon, a lawyer Insurance companies and lawyers responsible for protecting them fromĬommon religious tenets of atonement often runĬounter to the legal tenets of avoiding self-incrimination. I regret the harm thisĭisclosures of sexual abuse in their midst, many find inherent conflictsīetween the guidance they find in scripture and the demands of the Some of you felt uncared for, neglected and evenīlamed in this church. Leaders, were part of the harm in failing to extend the compassion and Me speak for a moment to our survivors," he said. Turning to a group of young women in the audience, he continued: Jesus said the truth will set us free." Then, Sermon on March 27, Pastor Peter James went further: "We won't hideīehind lawyers. Our care," the board said in a letter to the congregation. The abuse was discovered was not always helpful to those entrusted to Of Staff and of Session are profoundly sorry that VPC's response after The church's governing board took a different course. caused or contributed to any damagesĪrising from the intentional acts/abuse/misconduct" by the youth "Do not make any statements, orally, in writing or inĪny manner, to acknowledge, admit to or apologize for anything that mayīe evidence of or interpreted as the actions of Read our latest issue or browse back issues.
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