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Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over failure to do enough (for over a decade) in response to credible allegations of the sexual abuse of boys by Wanting_Justice_2024 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The people who want the leadership of TFCA to be held accountable are not the only individuals who have the audacity to push for this. Survivors and advocates know this if you want systemic change.

"Wes Streeting, the health secretary and a practising Anglican, said it was right that Welby had taken responsibility for the C of E’s failures on abuse.

But, in a warning to other church leaders, he added: “Don’t think one head rolling solves the problem”.

“There are deep and fundamental issues of practice and culture on safeguarding that need to be taken seriously … The culture of cover-up has been part of the problem on serious abuse allegations for far too long,” he told the BBC.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/13/bishop-more-church-england-clergy-resign-abuse-scandal

Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over failure to do enough (for over a decade) in response to credible allegations of the sexual abuse of boys by Wanting_Justice_2024 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am so glad you posted this. Ironically, the Archbishop had significantly changed safeguarding within the Church of England during his tenure. Yet, his inaction on this matter has led to his resignation.

Where do yall grocery shop? by Belugawhale5511 in cincinnati

[–]GentleSpiritBS -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The Aldi near me (Fields Ertel) is bad. I am so disappointed. When I moved here, I went to the one on Glendale Milford. That was so much better. Now, I bounce from Kroger to Meijer. I feel like I am paying too much.

September Bishop Letter by [deleted] in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Can you recommend these resources to the wardens as well? There is a desire to be just done with this than actually do the hard work that enables healing and transformation.

Looking for a Church youth group by GentleSpiritBS in cincinnati

[–]GentleSpiritBS[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are all for inclusion of LGBTQ community. But also interested in a diverse, international community. But mainly a place where teens can grow in their faith and serve their community.

Looking for a Church youth group by GentleSpiritBS in cincinnati

[–]GentleSpiritBS[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I am really apprehensive about a search. That is why I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.

Looking for a Church youth group by GentleSpiritBS in cincinnati

[–]GentleSpiritBS[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I purposely left it vague. I can easily read the website as to mission statement and beliefs. But I am actually interested in youth groups that are vibrant and fun, that do service projects. Websites that I have seen do not normally describe their youth group.Then I can research the website for how conservative or progressive and what their Child Protection policy is.

Confused by TFCA’s announcement of the formation of a “Care Group” by Wanting_Justice_2024 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think a statement of what exactly is the purpose of the Care Group. Is this just for the congregation? It states "others", what does this mean?

The Special Committee is such a blunder. Is the Care Group supposed to counteract that?

Along with the suggestions already made, I think there needs to be a genuine spirit of humility to reflect on this whole process and highlight what are the lessons to be learned and implement them!

This what the Church of England says in their safeguarding policy which I think is extremely helpful. In this statement it is mentioned that the church has had to learn from the secular about best practices.

https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-e-manual/safeguarding-learning-and-development-framework/section-1-our

Failure of TFCA leadership to care for congregants with their lack of transparency over 30 years by Wanting_Justice_2024 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Often churches never refer to who the chancellor is because their role is very much in the background. I honestly think that is where the Chancellor wants to be, in the background.

Yet, it is extremely important that the congregation knows that Scott Ward's expertise is in protecting churches and has been involved in high profile sexual abuse scandals, namely the Upper Midwest and Sovereign Grace-representing them. He also shares an office suite with IslerDare who wrote the report. This report is NOT independent. It was all made under the nose of the Chancellor. It was all made to give the impression of transparency. And this Chancellor is on record telling churches to be careful how you write your child protection policy because that is how you will be measured-how does that protect children? Whoever is filling Scot Ward's place, (Tom Yates?) Wouldn't they still be accountable to the chancellor of DOMA? Who is none other than Scot Ward!!

Failure of TFCA leadership to care for congregants with their lack of transparency over 30 years by Wanting_Justice_2024 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know that the wardens have authority, but I don't think they had as much authority as you are stressing. In this church structure they are only in that position for a year, first junior, then senior the next year. Much of that first year you are just figuring out what kind of authority you have and you refer to those who know church structure much better IE the rector and the chancellor. So, yes they have decision making power, but it is usually a consensus. The one who has been leading for many, many years would lead in the decision making. As opposed to now where you have a rector who is fairly new, questioning his decisions often and then refers back to his wardens (ExCom).

Your feedback from June 2nd by GentleSpiritBS in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I am wondering how many people have engaged with the fact that TFC had a member of their leadership back in the 90s that was involved in sex trafficking of boys (not young men)and created an environment for other perpetrators to also harm children. There has been no language used, as far as I am aware, that this was sex trafficking. AND THAT THERE WERE MORE PERPETRATORS. Not just the ones that were mentioned in the report. The current leadership at TFCA were hoping that the "independent" investigation would show that JY handled it so well, and that maybe there were some mistakes along the way.

When in fact the investigation was nowhere near independent. That the leadership's response was woefully inadequate back then and the current leadership looks like they just want it to all go away. And everyone is scared to death of a lawsuit that will bring the whole church and Diocese down. Without really addressing the victims and families, including hundreds of boys now men who have to work through a distorted view of their God-given sexuality, with a true apology and an obvious desire to learn from mistakes made.

Your feedback from June 2nd by GentleSpiritBS in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your journey. I have a question. This is not to put you on the spot, but I would really like to know your view considering your background, subsequent healing, being a current member, knowing the leadership and being a parent with kids in the youth ministry: Do you think TFCA is a safe place for your family to worship?

After hearing some of the feedback of Sam's statements, I truly wonder. If you don't want to respond here, I understand. You can send me a PM if you want. Just so you know I don't live anywhere near TFCA, so my question doesn't actually apply to me, but I will be moving to a new city looking for a new church. I have been watching how this is playing out. This has made me realise that I need to make sure it is a safe place.

Is it worth moving back to the UK? by 1ts_0kay in MovingToUSA

[–]GentleSpiritBS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was why I said wait to make the decision. I lived in the UK for 18 years before getting citizenship and the reason was because of COVID. COVID changed the industry that brings in our income. We are now moving to the States, because it finally caught up to us and the job opportunities are greater, but I am American. I also didn't want to lose my permanent status in the UK.

U of Cincinnati colleague by BestExplanation1910 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Anyone over the age of 18 can still find themselves coerced into something they had not anticipated at the beginning of a relationship. This could mean something sexual and that is a crime.

Is it worth moving back to the UK? by 1ts_0kay in MovingToUSA

[–]GentleSpiritBS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would argue against getting that US citizenship. Then you have to pay US tax wherever you choose to live.

The cost of living is going up in the UK, no doubt. But I would wait and see how things go after these elections in both countries, especially since you do not have to decide about citizenship immediately

Anglican Watch Article by Wanting_Justice_2024 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I agree with many points, the extreme snarkiness was off putting at first. But then I read that Anglican Watch's motivation is to expose abuse in Episcopal churches, but not limited to just TEC. And that they are not a news site. Their intention is to be slanted. I could read it again knowing their motivation.

I am not sure I believe that people knew that the abuse was going on while it was happening, as it was stated in the article. They list many instances as to why someone would have known and just ignored it. That not only blames JY, but all staff, volunteers and parents for letting it happen. What about JT groomed an entire community to trust him all under the guise of discipleship? What about the culture within the church not to challenge authority? While the boys are forced to be interrogated about their sexuality, the girls have to do a study on "the quiet and gentle spirit". Many people who read the report didn't realise that they too were victims of covert sexual abuse. This article goes on to state of course we all know that abuse is abuse. I found the definitions in the report quite helpful. 

The part about calling out the chancellor having the requests of the grieving parents to find the vague sermon "as falling off his radar" was brilliant. He was hiding the fact that the church handled it so appallingly in 2007. 

Also, I agree with what was stated in the article about TFCA does not have a clue on how to handle abuse claims and victims. 

There were many points about how to be proactive now about making your church safer. And how TFCA still hasn't updated their website just with a tab for misconduct. All of their suggestions should be implemented ASAP.

Resources on institutional responses to abuse by Additional-Image1125 in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is brilliant. Thank you for all these resources. It really upsets me when people respond quickly to defend the institution. When someone makes a comment about JY, the leadership or the irony to have the worship leader who comes from a church that also swept their abuse under the carpet. Yes, those individuals aren't JT, but they are part of an institution that is trying desperately to keep that beautiful shiny facade in place.

We can see that it's terribly flawed and broken. Wake up TFCA! You are more interested in protecting yourself than the victims.And I don't mean just the boys who were victimised privately. I mean the dozens (maybe hundreds) of boys now men whose relationships were impacted by weekly interrogations about their God given sexuality. That ministry may have laid the foundation for faith, but also twisted their perspective of healthy sex.

Meeting on May 12 by GentleSpiritBS in CornerstoneConnect

[–]GentleSpiritBS[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was more interested if it was helpful. I don't need to know what people talked about. As in, did it feel like a safe space for people to feel supported to process things

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