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| Family Wants Reverend Thrown Out Of Church Church Says Church Trial Expected to Start Soon NBC 5 March 4, 2008 http://www.nbc5.com/news/15492729/detail.html CHICAGO -- The family of a woman who they said was repeatedly molested and raped by a suburban reverend when she was a teenager demanded that reverend be thrown out of the church. The woman's family came to the Presbytery of Chicago with a letter asking for the removal of Rev. Dr. Ron Campbell from the church. Members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests, who accompanied the family, announced with the family that they also wanted a wide disclosure of the fact that Campbell was accused of repeatedly molesting and raping the girl for four years in 1984. "The horrors that (the victim) has been through are inexplicable," said Barbara Blaine of SNAP. NBC5's Natalie Martinez reported that the now-37-year-old woman came forward two years ago. A church committee determined there was probable cause that Campbell, who currently serves at Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church, was guilty. The woman was paid $100,000 for damages. "I can't really put into words how it's felt or how painful it's been," said the woman's brother. "We're trying to really go through the healing process at this point by getting Ron removed." The church committee called Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church an older congregation that does not have a youth group or Sunday school. In a statement, the Presbytery said, "We have found that there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against Rev. Campbell in a church trial, yet he has repeatedly denied these allegations. We must now proceed with a church trial to determine the facts of the matter, and we expect that trial to begin in the near future." Blaine said church courts shouldn't be investigating crimes, but rather the police should. The Presbytery representative did not respond to NBC5's request for additional comment on the matter, Martinez reported. The woman's family said they believe more damage may be done while Campbell continues with the church, Martinez reported. "We just want to have this word get out so that people know about it and we can keep other children safe," said the victim's mother, Carolyn Lemley. "So this doesn't happen to anyone else." |
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