Title: ELCA Addresses Clergy Sexual Abuse
ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

December 4, 1997

ELCA TO PROVIDE RESOURCE ADDRESSING CLERGY SEXUAL
ABUSE

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's
strategy for responding to sexual abuse in the
church has resulted in the preparation of a new
resource notebook. "The major project for our
work over the past several months has been
completing a phase of research and discernment
about the effects of clergy sexual abuse on local
congregational life," said the Rev. Janice
Erickson-Pearson, project director for the ELCA's
strategy for responding to sexual abuse in the
church, at the Commission for Women's steering
committee meeting earlier this fall. The notebook
will help "synodical bishops and staff and other
leaders as they assist congregations in the
healing process," she said. The notebook will not
be placed in the ELCA distribution center or
made available for sale. Permission will be
granted to utilize it for local use and for
training of other synodical members who are
enlisted in this ministry. "Several synods are
continuing to provide education and training
for clergy and lay rostered leaders. Others are
creating new response teams to receive initial
allegations, care for victims and respond to
congregations in crisis," Erickson-Pearson
reported.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or
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http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html