A Major Ethical Issue: Clergy Sex Abuse

1. A Major Ethical Issue:Clergy Sex Abuse Min. Yolanda Chambers

2. Agenda • Overview • The Scope of Clergy Sexual Abuse • The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • The Impact of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Prevention of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Responding to Clergy Sexual Abuse • Conclusion • Questions

3. Overview • In this Chapter we will see how important the Bible is as the primary resource for doing ethics • We will explore the role that the Holy Spirit has in making the Christian life possible • We will discuss the process of learning what is moral for the Christian minister • We will discuss the three major components involved in moral decision-making

4. Introduction • Into the Darkness Award – A designation given to organizations that try to hide information from the public. • Misconduct is defined as any sexual contact that occurs within the framework of a professional relationship of trust (such as that involving a counselor or a pastor) • Such abuse includes any contact or action intended to arouse erotic interest, whether there is touching or not. • The code of silence in regards to “sexual abuse” must be broken.

5. The Scope of Clergy Sexual Abuse • What are some examples of sexual misconduct? • Biblical leaders • Judah and his daughter-n-law, Tamar • Potiphar’s wife and Joseph • David and Bathsheba • Amnon& Tamar • Sodom and Gomorrah • Jezebel • Rahab • Eli’s sons • Samson and Delilah • Herod and his brother’s wife, Herodias

6. The Scope of Clergy Sexual Abuse • What are some examples of sexual misconduct? • World Leaders • Jim Bakker and Jessica Hahn • Rev. Jessie Jackson • Roman Catholic Church • Ted Haggard • Marcus Lamb

7. The Scope of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Ethical failure in ministry has become so prevalent that insurance companies are reevaluating their coverage of clergy, sometimes excluding coverage altogether. • In 1995 U.S. News & World Report cited a nationwide study that found that “1 and 4 members of the clergy reported having some kind of sexual contact with someone other than their spouse, and more than 1 in 10 said they had committed adultery.

8. The Scope of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Six specific of sexual malfeasance: • Sexual intercourse with persons outside a marriage covenant. • Oral sex with persons outside a marriage covenant. • Unwanted or inappropriate physical touch outside a marriage covenant. • Physical-sensual displays of the body or titillation of senses in ways suggestive of inappropriate sex. • The use of pornography, individually, or with others, in ways intended to stimulate erotic fantasies of inappropriate sexual behavior. • Verbal and visual contact with another person that implies or demands inappropriate sexual response.

9. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Clergy sexual misconduct is a violation of the integrity of the pastoral office, a betrayal of ordination vows. • It is also a betrayal of trust between a pastor and parishioners that involves both an abuse of sexuality and an abuse of power.

10. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Clergy sexual misconduct is a violation of the integrity of the pastoral office, a betrayal of ordination vows. • It is also a betrayal of trust between a pastor and parishioners that involves both an abuse of sexuality and an abuse of power.

11. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Betrayal of Sexual Trust • God created boundaries for sexual expression that reveal and support the intended purpose and meaning of human sexuality. • Sexual misconduct by clergy is a distortion of human sexuality-a betrayal of sexual trust. • For an offending pastor, whether single or married, the betrayal is a violation of God’s intention for humanity from the beginning. (Genesis 2: 18-25)

12. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Betrayal of Power Trust • Clergy sexual exploitation is not primarily about sex. • It is an abuse of power expressed in a highly destructive sexual manner. • Every minister is a symbol of religious authority. • Sexual behavior by a minister (who always occupies the position of power) is inherently exploitive of a member’s trust.

13. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • Types of Abusive Ministers • Sexual misconduct by clergy takes many forms: • Voyeurism • Exhibitionism • Incest • Child molestation • Pedophiles • Ephebophiles (sexual preference of adults for mid-to-late adolescents, generally ages 15 to 19) • Homosexual liaisons • Rape • Clergy sexual abuse usually begins with acts or statements intended to arouse erotic interest.

14. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • There are many ways to classify abusers • The predator – A person who actively seeks opportunities to abuse women sexually. • The wanderer – A person is not violent, not premeditative in his sexual abuse, and generally less successful personally and professionally. Has difficulty maintaining boundaries. • The lover – A person who enters the “forbidden zone” with a parishioner by becoming infatuated with one of his flock.

15. The Nature of Clergy Sexual Abuse • There are many ways to classify abusers • The predator – A person who actively seeks opportunities to abuse women sexually. • The wanderer – A person is not violent, not premeditative in his sexual abuse, and generally less successful personally and professionally. Has difficulty maintaining boundaries. • The lover – A person who enters the “forbidden zone” with a parishioner by becoming infatuated with one of his flock.

16. Conclusion • Making moral choices is about the following three things: • Character - Being a good person • Conduct - Doing the right thing • Integrity - Living out life the right way • A well-grounded minister recognizes which duties are obligatory and which goals serve as guidelines for achieving the will of God.

17. Questions