(Based on a true event)
It was a Tuesday evening. The husband and wife were ushered in to the small Sunday School room. In the middle was a wooden table. The mennonite preacher and his wife sat on one side. The husband & wife sat on the other. Typical interview questions were asked by the preacher, all relevant to the husband and wife (and their family) becoming members of the church. It all was kept light and quite informal.
Finally, the preacher asked if there were any questions. The husband and wife give each other a quick glance. The husband spoke up and inquired about certain rumors of a sexual assault that took place within the church’s ranks, about ten years past. A young lady, now in her early 20’s, has become quite vocal on social media about being assaulted in her home as a young teen.
“There were allegations but nothing held water.”
Really? The victim seems pretty sure of herself.
“She was young. She was just a silly girl. She was confused.”
Okay…. Was it even investigated?
“I would imagine it was… I wasn’t ordained then.”
By this time, the preachers wife shifts in her chair, staring down at the table.
“Why do you need to know this?? Who have you been talking to?”
The husband confides he had spoken to an immediate family member that confirmed the abuse.
“You can’t believe anything he says! He left the church years ago! He has known “issues”!”
Wow. So why did the victim spend time in a rehab facility?
“Did the mother tell you that?? She has a habit of spinning yarns you know!”
Super wow at this point. The husband asks about another similar situation, one more recent.
“We interviewed the father. He says he didn’t do it. No point pursuing it”
So…. Did you talk to the victim?
“There was no victim. The father is a founding member of this congregation! He served in the mission field! He was in the lot for minister once! No reason to tarnish a good reputation!”
By now the husband and wife look at each other, the preacher’s wife is obviously uneasy as she constantly fiddles with her prayer veil. She hasn’t looked up since this line of questioning began. The preacher himself has become quite rattled, his replies have become sharp and snappy, most agitated. That was all the answers the husband and wife needed to hear.
From this is gleaned:
The perpetrators are all upstanding church members.
The victims are always silly (or confused) or don’t exist.
The witnesses all have “issues” and/or are liars.
Unbeknownst to the husband and wife, a huge can of worms was opened….
…. to be continued.
Milepost 81 