a friend in need
Christian Congregation
of Jehovah's Witnesses
2528 Route 22 Patterson NY 12563-2237 Phone (845) 306 1100
February 15, 2002
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dear Brothers:
It was a delight for us to meet with you at the Kingdom Ministry School , held in the - United States branch territory during November and December of 2001. This letter is to provide you with written direction on various matters that were considered at the school. Please arrange a special meeting of the body of elders to give consideration to the direction contained in this letter, as well as to the February 14, 2002 , letter to all congregations in the United States , regarding adjustments that were announced at the Kingdom Ministry School .
Congregation Book Study Overseers : While the Congregation Service Committee is authorized .........
Reminders Regarding the Han dling of Cases Involving Child Abuse: (1) As directed in the July 1, 1989 , letter to all bodies of elders, you should immediately call the Legal Department for direction if you learn of a case of child abuse. Child abuse would include sexual abuse, self-evident physical abuse, and extreme neglect involving a minor. (2) If the alleged victim is now an adult but was a minor at the time of the abuse, please call the Legal Department. (3) If you become aware of a past case of child abuse and you are not certain whether the elders involved at the time called the Legal Department for direction, please call the Legal Department for assistance as soon as possible. (4) Child abuse is a crime. Never suggest to anyone that they should not report an allegation of child abuse to the police or other authorities. If you are asked, make it clear that whether to report the matter to the authorities or not is a personal decision for each individual to make and that there are no congregation sanctions for either decision. That is, no elder will criticize anyone who reports such an allegation to the authorities.
Judicial Announcements and Restrictions: When a judicial committee decides to reprove a repentant wrongdoer, they should consider very carefully whether to announce the reproof to the congregation. (ks91 123) While there are many situations in which it would be wise to announce the reproof to the congregation, two were specifically mentioned at the Kingdom Ministry School : (1) If the offense was adultery and the innocent mate has not yet forgiven the guilty one, a Scriptural divorce and remarriage(s) could still occur. It is therefore possible that the act of adultery will become public knowledge. As long as that potential exists, a decision to announce the judicial reproof would be appropriate. (2) If the offense involved the sexual molestation of a child, an announced reproof would serve to protect the congregation, indicating that not all is well with the repentant wrongdoer.
Please note that no billion dallor corp would ever blatantly say "don't call the police" however, they don't say "call the police" either, they say call our lawyers!
I've heard so many JW's rebuke the RC's regarding cover-ups and "moving priests" after molestation possibilities. I would like to know how you feel regarding the last piece I highlighted. If the repentant child molesting SOB should be announced to the congregation through 'indication that not all is well'.
Having been a victim of this crime when I was ten, because I was put into temporary care of a family with a known molester, known to a small group of elders that is, I earnestly await you reply.
Regs,
Steve.
