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<DIV>Visionaries:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>No one in the community delights in the tragedy that has befallen
family members of Christ Church or Trinity Reform. Indeed, these sad
events should compel all of us in a way to reflect on the fact that past past
disagreements are trivial in comparison to the anguish of those who have been
effected by the behavior of Steven Sitler. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Surely we can all agree that Mr. Sitler's behavior was no more tolerable to
the elders and leaders of Christ Church than it is to you or
me. There is absolutely evidence to believe that once identified
as a child molester Mr. Sitler was allowed to continue his behavior unchecked by
either civil or spiritual authorities. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I have long been identified as a person who is outspokenly critical of many
of the political and cultural positions espoused by Douglas Wilson and his
cronies. I will continue to challenge this leadership and his perspective
in so far (in my opinion) as it negatively impacts the community.
Nonetheless, I don't believe for a moment that Doug Wilson or anyone else
in Christ Church tolerates or protects child molesters. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>However, there is a difference between protecting a child
molester and protecting a community. The following analogy seems to
me to be applicable. If a community member was diagnosed with tuberculosis
we would expect immediate appropriate treatment for the infected
person. Community leaders and public health officials have a
specific responsibility to immediately notify co-workers, friends,
family, acquaintances, and other contacts of the infected person so that
they might seek appropriate treatment as a consequence of
exposure. It would be dereliction of duty to wait several
months or operate on a "need to know" basis. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>With the clear and certain knowledge that the church community had
been exposed to a soul damaging infection why in God's name weren't adult
members immediately given the information so that they might determine if
their children were also victimized? Why weren't qualified and
trained counselors make available to the congregations? Just as
effective treatment for infectious disease requires professional expertise,
similarly, treatment for the victims of sexual exploitation and/or
abuse require professional intervention. What credentials or experience
(other than pastoral consolation - which is undeniably important but not
sufficient) did the leadership of the Kirk bring to this sad situation?
Recognizing their own lack of training in the area did they find other
ways to help their flock? Rather than help, the long months of
silence suggests their hope that containment of the problem was a
higher priority than genuine pro-active pastoral care. Pride in the
reputation of the church leaders, New St. Andrews, and Christ Church appears to
take a higher priority than pastoral ministry. How can the members of this
faith community trust a leadership that keeps to itself matters of
such tremendous impact and potential harm to its members? God forbid
that this will ever happen again, but if it does, I pray it will be handled
expeditiously with grace and love.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Rose Huskey</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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