Southern Baptists Say Denomination Faces DOJ Investigation

FILE - A cross and Bible sculpture stand outdoors the Southern Baptist Conference headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., on Could 24, 2022. The Govt Committee of the Southern Baptist Conference mentioned Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, that a number of of the denomination's main entities are beneath investigation by the U.S. Division of Justice. (AP Picture/Holly Meyer, File)

by way of Related Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Leaders of the Southern Baptist Conference mentioned Friday that a number of of the denomination’s main entities are beneath investigation by the U.S. Division of Justice within the wake of its a number of issues associated to clergy intercourse abuse.

The SBC’s Govt Committee has acquired a subpoena, however no people have been subpoenaed at this level, in line with the committee’s attorneys.

“That is an ongoing investigation and we're not commenting on our discussions with DOJ,” they mentioned.

The assertion from SBC leaders — together with Govt Committee members, seminary presidents and heads of mission organizations — gave few particulars in regards to the investigation, however indicated it handled widespread sexual abuse issues which have rocked the most important Protestant denomination within the U.S.

“Individually and collectively every SBC entity is resolved to totally and utterly cooperate with the investigation,” the assertion mentioned. “Whereas we proceed to grieve and lament previous errors associated to sexual abuse, present leaders throughout the SBC have demonstrated a agency conviction to handle these problems with the previous and are implementing measures to make sure they're by no means repeated sooner or later.”

Earlier this 12 months, an SBC intercourse abuse job drive launched a blistering 288-page report from outdoors marketing consultant, Guidepost Options. The agency’s seven-month impartial investigation discovered disturbing particulars about how denominational leaders mishandled intercourse abuse claims and mistreated victims.

The report targeted particularly on how the SBC’s Govt Committee responded to abuse instances, revealing that it had secretly maintained a listing of clergy and different church employees accused of abuse. The committee later apologized and launched the listing, which had lots of of accused employees on it.

Following the discharge of the report, the SBC voted throughout its annual assembly in June to created a option to monitor pastors and different church employees credibly accused of intercourse abuse and launch a brand new job drive to supervise additional reforms.

There was no rapid remark from the Justice Division in regards to the investigation.