CAM Molestation Issue

[Hats Off]

CAM isn't the only organization in the world helping the poor. Directing your dollars to another organization isn't starving the poor.

If you're concerned about funding defense attorneys, you can donate to specific CAM programs and avoid the general fund.

But there are programs that would need to be quickly taken over by another organization. On the short term you would be starving the poor. I don't know if the poor could survive even short term.

Your second comment is certainly one that I could support. They may have to send out some red envelopes requesting emergency help for their legal fund.

[QuietObserver]

CAM isn't the only organization in the world helping the poor. Directing your dollars to another organization isn't starving the poor.

If you're concerned about funding defense attorneys, you can donate to specific CAM programs and avoid the general fund.

But there are programs that would need to be quickly taken over by another organization. On the short term you would be starving the poor. I don't know if the poor could survive even short term.

Your second comment is certainly one that I could support. They may have to send out some red envelopes requesting emergency help for their legal fund.

The bottom line is money isn't going to sway them. If they need money for their legal fund, I'm sure they have a network of wealthy supporters to step up. Ultimately, I have faith they will do the right thing. They really have no choice if they want to survive as an organization. You need to resolve an issue like this.

[Bootstrap]

Ultimately, I have faith they will do the right thing. They really have no choice if they want to survive as an organization. You need to resolve an issue like this.

I agree.

But they would be wise to study how other organizations have handled this, what has worked well, and what has not. I think the Southern Baptists are doing about as well as anyone on this issue, having learned from the mistakes of others.

Many groups have failed to speak directly to victims with the kind of deep, repentant, emotional statement that communicates they get it. They have been defensive and protective instead. And it cost them.

One denomination was very visible about repenting and grieving, but 10 years later new incidents were discovered and it was plain there had been lots of the same kind of cover-up they said they were repenting of. So now they are going through that again.

None of us would know how to handle this if we were responsible. Prayer, repentance, discernment, and learning from the experiences of others are all slow, vital processes that take time and commitment. Now is the time for real spiritual leadership and spiritual wisdom.

[MaxPC]

It is encouraging to me that staff like this are more or less asking for the same type of accountability that everyone else is asking for primarily that those that knew lose their jobs. That tells me that this may actually happen.
One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

These are very nearly identical to my words in 2002. Our Bishop Conference instituted the Zero-Tolerance policy in which all accusations are immediately referred to the local police who in turn functioned as a third party investigative entity. In their investigations, less than 2% of the accusations proved worthy of moving forward to make arrests. It was the best decision our Bishops made regarding this as it filtered out the false accusations as well as brought accountability to the perpetrators.

Would this procedure be considered by Anabaptists? Or would their separation from state matters require a different third party approach?

[steve-in-kville]

One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

It should be started very quickly. And done very thoroughly. Doing it right will not be quick.

It should be treated like a police officer involved in a shooting. Put them on desk duty until the investigation is complete. If innocent, return them to patrol. Yes, it takes time and resources.

[Jazman]

This is all so sad... What I don't understand is, what seems to look like a cover-up, or a too-quick-to-forgive-and-forget, or the failure to vet the perpetrator in any real way...
In the age of the well-documented and public Catholic abuse scandal coming out in a big way, what 10-15yrs ago? And the fall-out (many leaving the CC) from it also being well-known - How in the world does anybody, in any role at CAM NOT do something earlier? NOT nip this in the bud before a long trail of tears is traversed? Are conservative Mennos in such a bubble, that, given everything that's happened in the last 10-20 yrs with this issue in other denominations etc, that you don't step up your game and do Extra Extra diligence to keep this from happening!!?

[Jazman]

It is encouraging to me that staff like this are more or less asking for the same type of accountability that everyone else is asking for primarily that those that knew lose their jobs. That tells me that this may actually happen.
One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

These are very nearly identical to my words in 2002. Our Bishop Conference instituted the Zero-Tolerance policy in which all accusations are immediately referred to the local police who in turn functioned as a third party investigative entity. In their investigations, less than 2% of the accusations proved worthy of moving forward to make arrests. It was the best decision our Bishops made regarding this as it filtered out the false accusations as well as brought accountability to the perpetrators.

Would this procedure be considered by Anabaptists? Or would their separation from state matters require a different third party approach?

As a more moderate-liberal Anabaptist, I would be fully in favor of this kind of procedure.

[appleman2006]

One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

It should be started very quickly. And done very thoroughly. Doing it right will not be quick.

Sorry. I need to clarify. I meant quickly as in start immediately. And then stick to it till it is done.

[queserasera_2]

One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

It should be started very quickly. And done very thoroughly. Doing it right will not be quick.

Sorry. I need to clarify. I meant quickly as in start immediately. And then stick to it till it is done.

But who on earth would be qualified?? Almost everyone in anabaptistland is related to someone connected to CAM. And I think we've already seen problems with family ties relative to accountability.

[QuietObserver]

It should be started very quickly. And done very thoroughly. Doing it right will not be quick.

Sorry. I need to clarify. I meant quickly as in start immediately. And then stick to it till it is done.

But who on earth would be qualified?? Almost everyone in anabaptistland is related to someone connected to CAM. And I think we've already seen problems with family ties relative to accountability.

They could get an evangelical Christian group. CAM is registered with ECFA, an evangelical group.