ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 14, 2004
Former Pastor's Misconduct Leads to Review of ELCA Policies
04-098-FI
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.
An audio news report on this story is available in either a
RealMedia http://media.elca.org/ramgen/audionews/040513.rm or
MP3 format http://media.elca.org/ramgen/audionews/040513.mp3
on the Internet.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
