How do church leaders face up to the crisis of sexual misconduct in the churches, and carve out a new path for healthy ministries and safe communities? The Vatican is holding an international Summit on Clergy Sexual Abuse reported in the thousands. Texas Baptists are exploring new policies to address press investigations of over 700 cases in the last 20 years. Megachurches are pressing for the resignation of pastors and youth workers accused in recent months. And mainline Protestants have clarified reporting and disciplinary procedures for sexual misconduct cases numbering in the hundreds in single denominations in the past two decades. Churches engaged in this challenge, justice for victims, and solutions for the future have formed the #ChurchToo movement.
What can seminarians and other students do? Learn together about the crisis, the need for ecumenical responses, and engage with other students in ongoing training, including the unique ecumenical “Healthy Boundaries” event in Washington DC on March 2.