Concern for JusticeThere are women in our churches who have been the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of those in whom they had previously placed their implicit trust. A woman may come to a minister for counselling after some trauma, such as bereavement, and instead she may be assaulted or abused. The response to their subsequent cry for help is all too often disbelief or the instruction to keep quiet and not to disturb the peace of the church. Dr Lesley MacDonald of New College, Edinburgh, who has researched this problem, writes in Life and Work (July 1997) of how, "despite much individual goodwill, Church structures and conventions have worked in favour of professional, plausible, powerful men; kept things concealed, rather than honestly confronting difficult situations; operated against the interests of justice for victims; abandoned, isolated and blamed the victims, while the perpetrator is not held to account". "Concern for Justice" is an organisation which has been founded to help women who may have been the victims of clerical sexual abuse or harassment. It hopes to hold a Public Meeting on February 20th 1998 in the Martin Hall, New College, Edinburgh at 7pm. The speaker will be Dr Lesley MacDonald, and the subject: "Compassion and Justice in the Christian Community". Further information: Concern for Justice, PO Box 17024, Edinburgh, EH12 8ZF. Donations may be made to "Concern for Justice", Giro Transcash 300143281. [The Free Church is Needed Today][Roman catholic Speaks in Free Church Hall] [Professor Macleod and Ordination Vows][Intimidation][Creation and Evolution][True calvinism] Any comments or questions please E-Mail me or Rev William Macleod the Editor. [Back to Reformed Christian Pages][Back to Free Church Foundations] |