In reference to the comments that it should not just be the elders getting the working with children check in Victoria, I just caught up with my mate who is still an elder and his 2 buddies (who were also elders), one who turned out to be the p/o (sorry, still stuck with the old lingo). 3 elders and a so called apostate, and yes we were all drinking beers, ok, I wasn’t, that NZ sav blnc was too good to pass up…
The direction from bethel is that all elders/ m/s's and pioneers in Victoria have to get the wwc, so it’s not just for elders.
The deadline for all elders, ms's and pioneers to get this check passed a few weeks ago. In my mates congo, there was still a few m/'s and pioneers who had not yet submitted their application yet as well as 1 elder.
We spoke about the ramifications of it not being done and why it was necessary. They overwhelmingly agree with it being done, especially when so many jw’s shift around the country. I was pleased to hear one of the elders say he knew of child abuse being covered up in the past and he thinks this new policy is heading in the right direction.
There were so many hypothetical’s being mentioned and all agreed that despite a letter being read out in the congo, the average body of elders is being left in the dark, relying on hearsay and gossip to read between the lines.
Even if the court case doesn’t go the distance, with Steve raising the profile of the issue, it’s done a lot at a local congo level for the average pub (my ex wife excluded) to sit up and take notice… Thanks Barb for the updates too, looking forward when it progresses to the courts here in Melbourne…
PS - they all thought I was a good upstanding ms jw - my mate hadnt told them about my fade.....