Tag: sexual abuse

Christian Chronicle

These Christians not afraid to address sexual trauma

Ministry educates missionaries in training — and believers around the world — about the good and bad of sex. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LUBBOCK, Texas — As autumn approaches, aspiring missionaries in their late teens and early 20s arrive at Sunset International Bible Institute’s West Texas campus. Forty-five students — 27 women and 18 men — from 19 U.S. states and Mexico will train for … Continue reading These Christians not afraid to address sexual trauma

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone

Author recounts growing up in Churches of Christ — and her sexual assault by a preacher. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The biggest villain — and rightly so — in Nancy French’s memoir “Ghosted: An American Story” is a preacher who gives the seventh-grader a ride home from Vacation Bible School. “In his early twenties, he was too young to be a preacher,” French writes. “But … Continue reading Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press FARMERSVILLE, Texas — On the first Saturday of fall, a sweating Bart Barber trekked across a weedy pasture in search of Bully Graham, the would-be patriarch of the rural Baptist pastor’s fledgling cattle herd. With the afternoon temperature in the mid-90s, the 52-year-old Texan found the bull — whose nickname reflects his owner’s deep affection for the late … Continue reading Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

‘An apocalypse’: Probe into Southern Baptist sex abuse turns up ‘bombshell’ findings

Editor’s note: This is a special Monday edition of “Weekend Plug-in,” which each Friday features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. “It is an apocalypse,” declares Russell Moore, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty … Continue reading ‘An apocalypse’: Probe into Southern Baptist sex abuse turns up ‘bombshell’ findings

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

It’s time to talk about predators in the church

‘Christian Chronicle Live’ panel tackles sexual abuse in Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SEARCY, Ark. — The predator repented. Or so he claimed. He’d done his time and confessed his sins. He was a changed man. Or so he told the elders of a congregation willing to forgive. He was welcomed into the fold. But to protect children, the leaders determined … Continue reading It’s time to talk about predators in the church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

Stunning reversal: Judge vacates former youth minister’s sex convictions

Charges against Clyde E. Brothers Jr. fell outside Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, new ruling asserts. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle A highly publicized Pennsylvania grand jury report last year identified more than 300 predator Catholic priests who had sexually abused more than 1,000 children going back decades. But because the crimes were hidden by the church hierarchy, “almost every instance of abuse … Continue reading Stunning reversal: Judge vacates former youth minister’s sex convictions

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

In-depth exclusive: A perpetrator in the pews

Former youth minister’s presence at worship stirs discord in Pennsylvania congregation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle UNIONTOWN, Pa. — After a longtime youth minister’s recent conviction on corruption of minors and indecent exposure charges, a judge in this western Pennsylvania community did what the Uniontown Church of Christ’s elders refused to do. The judge told Clyde E. Brothers Jr. to stay away from … Continue reading In-depth exclusive: A perpetrator in the pews

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘Tell somebody. Don’t keep quiet.’

Daughter of a convicted pedophile preacher urges people of faith to speak out when they suspect abuse. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SOMERSET, Pa. — For so long, no one knew Alex Howlett’s name. In 2011, she confided in her brother Jimmy Hinton that the man he followed into ministry — their father — molested her when she was young. But when the case made headlines, the … Continue reading ‘Tell somebody. Don’t keep quiet.’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith

When local district attorney Kelly Callihan referred an abuse claim against her family’s erstwhile pastor to state authorities, she initiated a series of investigations that renewed the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis nationwide. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service EBENSBURG, Pa. — When allegations of past sexual abuse were first made against a priest at St. Clement Catholic Church in Johnstown, Pa., Cambria … Continue reading Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.