High Profile Protestant Minister Acted "Inappropriately,"

SNAP
June 19, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/high_profile_protestant_minister_acted_inappropriately

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, Founder and President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com)

A controversial Chicago-based religious group is admitting that a high profile Protestant pastor acted “inappropriately” with teenaged girls.

Our hearts ache for the dozens of women who as teens and young adults were sexually harassed by Rev. Bill Gothard. We share the hurt they must feel because Gothard's church superiors so tardily and so inadequately.

[suntimes.com]

Gothard should never be around kids, not now, not evern. The Institute in Basic Life Principles should fire him and do everything possible to prevent him from hurting more innocent youngsters. And they should aggressively and publicly beg others who saw, suspected or suffered Gothard's hurtful acts to come forward, get help and call police.

We strongly suspect that Gothard or his church supervisors have broken the law, either by molesting kids, destroying evidence, stonewalling police, decieving prosecutors, endangering others or similar offenses. We beg those with any knowledge or suspicions of wrongdoing by Gothard or IBLP officials to contact law enforcement agencies promptly.

We are also very troubled by Gothard's wish to “work with and encourage young people . . . on a personal basis.” No parent should trust him. His church colleagues and supervisors should aggressively warn families about him and do all in their power to make sure he stays way from youngsters.

Finally, we applaud the courage and compassion of Kari Underwood and others who have exposed this dangerous preacher and given hope to his victims.