My Apologies to the Victims of Abuse
by Peggy Harris W.A.S.H. Board Chair

I want to express my sincere apologies for my church, its leaders and members, who have harmed children or adults.  Please accept my regret that you were ever treated unfairly, or submitted to emotional or spiritual abuse. 

Those who have been harmed as a child by sexual abuse, please know that your pain is not unnoticed by angels.  There is no way I can atone for your terrible hurt but I do know that it was not your fault.  You should not be made a victim twice: 1. by the perpetrator, 2. by the church in dealing or not dealing with it.

If you were harmed by sexual misconduct, again I apologize for the terrible wrong in the name of Christianity that you have suffered.  While God notices the harm you have experienced, we as church members need to support you emotionally in the rebuilding of your soul.  That takes time.  One who has experienced abuse feels the effects for a lifetime.  We cannot change that.  But we can let you know that you are not alone and that there is life worth living beyond the abuse.

While all denominations are dealing with the problem of abuse, this is no excuse for our denomination to let the problem slide and hope it goes away. Those days are gone.   People are being held accountable for the wrong they have done.  As professing Christians in the world community we must look rather strange to the communities surrounding our church when abuse occurs and it becomes known that we did not take the proper precautions to stop it and prevent further abuse.  I ask your forgiveness on behalf of my church for this embarrassment.

There are those who are working (both laymembers and church leaders) to hold accountable the ones who have committed these crimes to children or adults in a congregation. That must become the norm and not continue as the rarity.

Have courage dear wounded spirit.  May you be given hope during the time of hopelessness.  You are needed in this church and your work is deeply appreciated by many of us.  Be comforted that mere people in the church cannot stop the blessing of the Holy Spirit in your life.  I affirm you in God's call to the ministry that He has for you in this church.

May the Comforter be with you and lift you up and give you courage to continue in His service!  May you be fully restored in His grace!  Hopefully, there will be others who will take up this burden of seeking your forgiveness and thus encourage others to seek forgiveness including church leaders.  Why, it might even change the face of our whole church!

This page last updated on Sunday January 29, 2006 11:25 AM

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members and church leaders better understand the problems abuse brings and prevention methods.

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