KOMO [Gig Harbor]
May 9, 2007
http://www.komotv.com/news/7429346.html
Members of the Gig Harbor Church of Nazarene are conflicted. Their former pastor Stephen Kerr, who they had trusted to teach them religion and values, now sits in jail, accused of molesting a 7-year-old girl.
How do you begin to deal with that?
"Everybody, of course, is deeply hurt by this," said church spokesman Ted Hughes. "Our whole congregation is devastated, because we never imagined that anything like this could ever happen."
At the regular Wednesday night prayer service, the congregation prayed for its former pastor and the 7-year-old victim.
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| Stephen Kerr is seen during his arraignment at Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. |
"I hope it's not true.I hope it's just allegations. But yeah, I think he should be punished for this," said Jenny Wilson, a church member.
Stephen Kerr was arrested for allegedly trying to have sex with a 7-year-old girl while making her watch videos of children playing with men's private parts.
Kerr pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday. Hughes said he was surprised by the plea, because Kerr told him something different.
"He openly confessed it, you know," said Hughes. "There was no question to the fact that he had admitted to his guilt. But it was explained to me that there are technical, legal reason for that."
Some members of the congregation said they're not quite sure what to think.
"I'm not sure, it's kind of conflicting," said Teresa Baker, a church member. "So I'm not sure why he would admit it, and not plead guilty."
Prosecutors believe the sexual abuse had been going on for at least two years.
Church members say forgiveness won't come so easy.
"It's one thing to be able to say 'I forgive you for what you've done.' It's another thing to be able to forget it," Hughes said.
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