Former Pastor's Misconduct Leads to Review of ELCA
From Sleep with Dogs, Wake Up with Puppies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The criminal sexual misconduct of a former pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has led the church to take a closer look at the process it uses to screen candidates for its lay and ordained ministries. The candidacy process involves the ELCA Division for Ministry, the church's eight seminaries, its 65 synods and synod committees.
"The church has a zero tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct. We do think we have a very strong system. Our continuing goal is to make a good system better," said the Rev. Stanley N. Olson, executive director, ELCA Division for Ministry.
Olson said the candidacy process for pastors and rostered lay leaders is constantly being reviewed. Rostered lay ministers of the ELCA are associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.
"The tragic case of misconduct in Texas leads us to pay particular attention to things we are doing to try to avoid any misconduct," Olson said. "We will be examining that situation to see if there is anything specific that it suggests needs our attention. At present I don't see anything that requires a change in policy or procedure, but we'll be looking in detail. We'll also look at whether or not policies are being followed consistently," he said.
The ELCA has about 19,000 lay and ordained ministers, and "the number of misconduct cases that we've had over the years involves a very, very small portion," Olson said. "The vast majority of our rostered leaders conduct themselves appropriately."
"We have a couple thousand people in candidacy, too. The number of incidences of misconduct that occur during that candidacy process would also be very, very small," Olson said.
The former pastor, Gerald P. Thomas Jr., was found guilty of sexual assault against children in a criminal trial last year in Texas and was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in state prison.
"This case is witness to the brokenness of the human person and of the systems designed by humans to assist and build up. The system failed; it deserves attention," the Rev. Mark R. Ramseth, president, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, wrote in a May 7 memo to ELCA bishops and seminary presidents.
The seminary's "administration has committed itself to a review of seminary and churchwide policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct," a seminary news release said.
"No system can absolutely guarantee against misconduct by some individuals. Nevertheless, the ELCA is committed to the safety of all people. We will continue and strengthen our efforts to prevent human failings from undermining the gracious mission of the church," Olson said in a memo dated May 10.
"Currently, a review is under way, primarily considering whether more can be done to discover sexual misconduct by candidates, and exploring ways to prevent acceptance of persons prone to harmful behaviors. The review process will look at policies in place and at the application of the policies. If weaknesses in the standards or practices are identified, they will be addressed," he wrote.
"The board of the Division for Ministry and the Church Council will receive a progress report in the fall of this year," Olson said. The board meets here Oct. 8-10. The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between biennial churchwide assemblies; the council meets here Nov. 11-15.
"I am confident that the ELCA already has a strong and dependable system for preparing people to serve as pastors and on other rosters. This candidacy system includes ongoing education and evaluation," Olson said.
"Preparation and approval of candidates for ordination is done through candidacy committees in each of the ELCA's 65 synods and in collaboration with the eight seminaries of the ELCA. The Division for Ministry helps develop and monitor policies for the candidacy system and offers consultation and training for the synods and seminaries," Olson wrote.
As of March 8, the ELCA candidacy process included 2,003 people preparing to become ordained pastors, 307 to become associates in ministry, 10 to become deaconesses and 159 to become diaconal ministers.
Fourteen plaintiffs affected by Thomas' criminal behavior sued the ELCA churchwide organization and several other church organizations and leaders. The churchwide organization settled with the plaintiffs and their attorneys on March 27 for $8 million. The district court in Marshall, Texas, formalized the settlement April 12.
Three other defendants settled separately with the plaintiffs. They were Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio; the Michigan Multi-Synodical Candidacy Committee; and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Marshall, Texas -- the congregation where Thomas was once a pastor. The settlements totaled $32 million.
Three remaining defendants -- the ELCA Northern Texas- Northern Louisiana Synod (NT-NL), Dallas; the Rev. Mark B. Herbener, former NT-NL bishop; and Earl H. Eliason, Herbener's former assistant -- went to trial Apri1 13 with nine plaintiffs.
The jury awarded $37 million to the plaintiffs on April 22 and held five parties liable: Eliason, Thomas, Herbener, Trinity Lutheran Seminary and the Michigan Multi-Synod Candidacy Committee. Because some of the parties found liable had settled before trial, the total amount to be paid to the plaintiffs will not be known until the trial court judge in Marshall formally enters a judgment, said John R. Brooks, ELCA spokesman, Department for Communication.
The Division for Ministry has its home page at http://www.elca.org/dm/ on the ELCA Web site.
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