Church releases video statement on Witte charges

By Don Fraser
St. Catharine's Standard
August 23, 2015

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/08/23/church-releases-video-statement-on-witte-charges

Bethany Community Church released a Sunday video statement in response to sex charges laid against Christopher Witte.

Witte, 31, a volunteer church youth program coordinator, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference and three counts of invitation to sexual touching.

The sexual assault unit of the Niagara Regional Police launched an investigation earlier this month into allegations of historical sexual abuse of young boys at the St. Catharines church.

None of these allegations has been proven in court.

"This incident has had an impact on all of our church families," said board chair Liz Froese, reading from a statement in the video. "We want to extend our prayers, and with God's grace we are certain a sense of peace and justice will prevail."