Greater Grace World Outreach has agreed to conduct an independent investigation of child sexual abuse allegations that were publicized in a series of articles by the Baltimore Banner.
Photo via social media @Greater Grace Church Outreach Baltimore
On Sunday (June 30), the East Baltimore church in Maryland announced during its service that it would select a nationally-recognized, independent firm to conduct the investigation, the Banner reported.
Pastor Robert Colban said the investigation would likely take about six months to complete and that the findings would be released publicly. He also said that once the investigation is underway, church leaders will not speak about it.
“We commit to transparency, about the findings and about any work we need to do to ensure a safe environment for all our families in the future,” Colban said.
“We ask that you pray for us during this process. And especially for those who have been victims of sexual abuse, that this process would be helpful in their healing.”
On Friday (June 28), dozens of protestors gathered outside Greater Grace with signs reading, “Not in our city,” “Silent no more,” and “Do you see us now?”
A group calling themselves “The Millstones” spent four years following the evidence and documenting allegations of abuse involving at least 32 former members who claim to have suffered sexual abuse by church members or staff.
While Colban called the sexual abuse of children “sinful, abhorrent and reprehensible, period,” and said that he and other members of the church staff were aggrieved at the thought of congregants being victimized, the Millstones were not placated.
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“Nothing Greater Grace World Outreach leaders say can undo the harm they have done,” members of The Millstones said in a statement. “They still have not taken responsibility for the information that is already public or their continued pattern of victim-blaming.”
Colban’s tone appeared different than the attitude of head pastor Thomas Schaller, who according to the Banner, initially defended the church’s handling of child sexual abuse allegations, claiming the church has been unfairly attacked.
“If you are a godly person, you will be persecuted. You will be misunderstood. You’ll be misrepresented,” Schaller reportedly said.
Schaller claimed that when the church became aware of instances of sexual abuse, it took action, including removing individuals from child ministry, spending $30,000 for an abuse victim’s counseling, and suspending the ordination of a pastor who had improper contact with a minor.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Why does MinistryWatch report on sex crimes? These stories are tough to read and sometimes even tougher to report, but we think they are vital to our mission to bring transparency, accountability, and credibility to the evangelical church. To read more about why and how we report these stories, read “Why MinistryWatch Reports On Sex Crimes.” You can find that story here.
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