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	Never Forget Lessons Learned from Child Sex-Abuse Scandal Morning Call December 17, 2011 http://articles.mcall.com/2011-12-17/opinion/mc-penn-state-sex-abuse-folk-yv-1218-20111217_1_sexual-abuse-sexual-predator-child What would the Christmas season be without children? Our greatest joy as adults is watching the innocent, wide-eyed wonder and excitement of children as they react to the sights and lights, sounds and singing of this time of year, and the love and goodwill they observe and express within their families and among friends and neighbors. Indeed, the "reason for the season" is the Christ child Himself, born in humble surroundings in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. In his ministry, Jesus took the time to bless children and spend time with them, often despite the pleas of his disciples to stick to the schedule. At Schoeneck Moravian Church, indeed in all congregations of all faith traditions, we value and cherish our children and take our responsibility to encourage, teach and nurture them in the faith very seriously. For us in the Moravian faith, we strive to fulfill the vows we make when a child is baptized in our congregation. The Advent and Christmas season especially gives us a wonderful opportunity to affirm our children, as they participate in worship with us: singing the songs of the season, sharing the message in dramatic fashion and holding their candles high on Christmas Eve with the rest of us. Our love for children and our desire to protect them, to help them to grow into healthy adults, are the primary reasons why all of us were so shaken and saddened by the recent allegations of sexual abuse and molestation at Penn State University. Many of us in the Lehigh Valley have long-standing ties to Penn State as alumni or parents of attending students, as fans of the football team, or as admirers of the revered coach who has been a champion of integrity and educational values for so many years. We are incredulous as to how so many in positions of authority could turn a blind eye to the alleged, unimaginable actions of a former football coach who has been accused of being a sexual predator of innocent children, while at the same time funding and being the face of an organization to help at-risk children. Was the priority at Penn State to win football games above protecting vulnerable, innocent children? As Christmas decorations are going up, as radio stations play the music of the season, as plans are being made, and as children prepare Christmas lists with joy and anticipation, what is the lesson for us adults to learn from this incomprehensible tragedy? Let me offer some suggestions: •When asked for a background check because of your role of leadership in the church or your ministry that brings you into personal contact with our children in any organization, please cooperate by filling out the forms and turning them in as quickly as possible. No one is questioning your integrity. The sole purpose is to protect our children and youth, and provide a safe environment for them at all times. •If you are ever in a situation where you witness or suspect sexual abuse of a child, step up to protect that child (even, God forbid, in the very confines of the church). Intervene aggressively at the moment, if necessary, to separate the child from the abuser. Do not pass the information up the chain of command and to someone else; call the police immediately! Many at Penn State proclaim they did "the right thing" legally, informing their superior. But no one ever stood up for a child victim by alerting police with a single phone call over the course of many years. They clearly did not do enough. No one took the moral responsibility to do what was necessary to protect the children who, authorities say, were so brutally victimized. Is not the safety of a child so much more valuable than the image of any individual or institution? Jesus himself chastened the Pharisees who obeyed the law to the letter, but lacked caring and compassion for people. My friends in Christ, the greatest gift that we can give our children in the Christmas season and at all times is to ensure that they are protected in their vulnerability from the abuse of others, be they family members or neighbors or strangers or people of influence. We must not tolerate any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse of our children, which will scar them for their entire lives. Coming decisively to their immediate defense is always the right thing to do! Indeed, it is our moral obligation as disciples of Jesus Christ, our Savior born in Bethlehem who Himself was the friend and advocate of little children.
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