Hello everyone: When I was in Oregon I obtained a copy of the Portland, Oregonian with the front page headline about the Mormon Church being ordered to surrender 25 years worth of records to the court regarding pedophiles.
While I was visiting the ex-Mormon Forum, I saw a post by a person named Cheryl who made some comments about this case, and I felt it was worth your attention:
Cheryl:
"There have been several threads about the current sex abuse case going on in Oregon now. All of the articles and threads point out that the church may have to open its books to pay punitive damages in this case. That's an important issue. The primary issue here, however, is child abuse.Highlights of the case: A mormon convert used the church to satisfy his lust for young boys. The church excommunicated him. He "repented" and was rebaptized. The church promptly reinstated his "high priest" status. He did callings involving children and continued to molest mormon boys for 20 years.
Finally, as an elderly "gentlemen," he needed a place to live. He was placed with a mormon family. There, he shared a bed with the 11 year old son. He abused that boy for months with the help of a penile implant.
This is not about "clergy confidentiality." This term is thrown around and misused in the LDS church. The concept is valid only if a member goes to the bishop and asks to confess in private. This is not the case here.
Mormon bishops must protect children in their charge. These mormon officials protected a serial child molester, allowing him to abuse boys for 20 years.
Let's don't let these children's pain be shoved aside. Finacial disclosure is a side issue because the judge in the case wants to see the church books. That probably won't happen. But what has already happened is the issue. Children were abused and are still suffering as a result of this mormon pervert and the church that held this guy's "priesthood" above the safety of children."
When SilentLambs make his next important press release, I will then comment more about this Mormon case and its impact on the JWs facing the same issue. - Amazing