A pastor of a Jerome church (whose duties also included counseling) is accused of "felony charges of rape, domestic violence battery, attempted strangulation, sexual penetration by use of a foreign object, and destruction of a telephone communication line," with the victim being his now-estranged wife. He essentially admits that there is enough evidence to convict him by entering an Alford plea to a reduced charge and is sentenced to probation and counseling for the crime (a travesty in itself).
So the man, humiliated by his actions, is removed in disgrace as pastor of the church by the horrified congregation, right?
Wrong.
A church official told the Twin Falls Times-News that, "the congregation in Jerome continues to be supportive of his ministry," which, the victim told the court, has "caused me more damage than my husband did."
The pastor, who maintains his innocence, is leaving his position, although in anything but disgrace. He will become a chaplain at a private school in Utah, the Wasatch Academy prep school in Mount Pleasant, who the Times reports, seem to be "excited for him starting."
Really? Is this how we still feel about domestic violence in 2008? The wife is essentially victimized twice, once by her abuser and a second time by the court. Meanwhile, the abuser continues to preach—what—love? Not exactly the way to encourage domestic violence victims to come forward, already a daunting enough task.
Read a May Times' editorial for more.
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