3 News
March 30, 2010
http://www.3news.co.nz/Destiny-pastors-accused-of-abuse-leave-church/tabid/423/articleID/148763/Default.aspx
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| The allegations of abuse at Destiny Church were brought to light by Campbell Live |
Destiny Church Taranaki pastors Lee and Robyn Edmonds have quit their roles amid allegations of sexual misconduct against two family members.
In a statement issued by the church today, spokesman Richard Lewis said "management" had accepted the couple's offer to stand down and would be looking into the circumstances of both cases.
One of the matters, against a 29-year-old man, is already before the courts. He is next due to appear in New Plymouth District Court in May. The other allegation is against a woman.
Ms Edmonds headed the Taranaki branch of the Open Home Foundation (OHF), which places children in foster homes, at the time of the alleged offences.
Her resignation from that position had been accepted today, the Taranaki Daily News reported.
Ms Edmonds said the alleged victim was not in the foundation's care when the incident occurred, but Child Youth and Family (CYF) head Ray Smith said the girl was in its care and living in a Destiny Church foster home at the time.
The church said there was no formal arrangement between OHF and Destiny Churches New Zealand.
Ms Edmonds confirmed that in her capacity as then-manager of OHF Taranaki, that in each of the cases she notified the foundation's national office "for thorough independent assessment and action".
Mr Lewis said that contrary to media reports, Bishop Brian Tamaki was not notified or involved in the process of either case.
"Whilst the matters giving rise to these two incidents in Taranaki are of great concern to us, I believe it in no way reflects on the integrity and professionalism of the wider Destiny Church movement," Mr Lewis said.
"The stand down of pastors Lee and Robyn Edmonds will give us time to make a thorough assessment."
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