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	Pastor Won't Comment on Ordaining Sex Offender By Peter Smith The Courier-Journal September 10, 2009 http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090910/NEWS01/909100334/1008/NEWS01/Pastor+Randy+ Meadows+won+t+comment+on+ordaining+Lousiville+sex+offender Advocates for victims of sexual abuse are protesting plans by a local church to ordain a registered sex offender Sunday. A minister has "a position where you have ultimate trust and are representing God," said Rochelle Fournier, one of two local members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests to protest Thursday outside City of Refuge Worship Center in Germantown. A sex offender "being in a position of that privilege is unacceptable." National and local leaders of SNAP also sent a letter to the congregation's pastor urging that it delay the ordination to allow more discussion. City of Refuge, an independent congregation on Goss Avenue that touts its acceptance of people of diverse sexual orientations and identities, plans to ordain Mark Edward Hourigan Sunday, according to a WHAS-TV report. Hourigan, 41, of Rowena Road, is listed on the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry, which says he was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of an 11-year-old. Randy Meadows, pastor of the congregation, did not return phone messages. When a reporter visited the church Wednesday night before its midweek service, a woman at Meadows' office said the church was not granting interviews. According to WHAS, Meadows defended the approaching ordination. "God is a loving and forgiving God, and I'm doing what he's telling me to do. And if that's not popular, Jesus wasn't either," he was quoted as saying, adding that Hourigan would not be alone with children. In an interview with CNN, Hourigan said: "God can use me to reach out to those people that need that hope and need that light. … I've learned that I have to change the way that I think in order to change my actions and my behaviors, and I've learned a lot of things as far as what situations not to place myself in." But Cal Pfeiffer of SNAP said he found those words disturbing, saying that it indicates Hourigan is "still in the process of getting over this." He said the high rates of repeat offenses among abusers should be cause for alarm. The congregation does not list any denominational affiliation. Some denominations have explicit policies against ordaining sex offenders. Hourigan is currently listed on the church Web site as its praise and worship leader and as chairman of its "Pride Committee." The church says it welcomes all regardless of "race, religion, culture, sexual orientation … and/or social-economic status." It says it is "GLBT affirming" — initials for "gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender." The church had a float at this year's Kentuckiana Pride Parade, a gay pride event. Pfeiffer said he had no problem with Hourigan attending church and being involved, but taking the status of an ordained minister places him in a position of trust. He said Hourigan can't help being near children. A letter from Pfeiffer and David Clohessy, national director of SNAP, asked the church, ""Why the risk? Why the rush? … Please postpone this controversial and reckless decision, even just a week, and hold an open public meeting to discuss it. … Give all sides the chance to be heard fully." Neighbors living across Goss Avenue from the church also said they were disturbed. "I don't like it," said Stephanie Antle. "Our little sisters come here all the time." Added Randy Allen: ""Happened once, might happen again." Reporter Peter Smith can be reached at (502) 582-4469.
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