DOJ launches sex abuse probe into Southern Baptists and subpoenas leaders

The Justice Department launched an investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention’s sexual abuse, and the Executive Committee of America’s largest Protestant denomination received a subpoena from the federal government in connection to the probe.

A spokesman for the Washington Times said that “the [executive] committee] received a subpoena.” At this time, no one has been subpoenaed. We are still investigating the matter and will not speak publicly about our conversations with [Justice Department ].

The Baptist group said in a statement Friday it “recently became aware” that the Department of Justice had begun an investigation into the 13.7-million-member church as well as “multiple SBC entities.”

The Justice Department didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment regarding the investigation.

An independent investigation into sexual abuse allegations in the Southern Baptist Convention resulted in the May publication of a 400-page documenting decades of coverups of the abuse.

“Individually as well as collectively, each SBC entity has committed to full and complete cooperation with the investigation.” Friday’s statement stated. While we grieve the mistakes of past sexual abuse victims, the current SBC leaders have shown a strong conviction and implemented measures to prevent them from happening again in the future .”

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The Rev. Bart Barber was elected president of the SBC in June. He signed the statement with seven other presidents, North American and International mission boards presidents, and members of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and their executive committee.

” Our commitment to work with the Department of Justice stems from our commitment to transparently tackle the problem of sexual abuse,” said the statement.

The statement states that efforts by the SBC to reform the handling of sexual abuse cases in the church “aren’t finished.” It also mentions that the recently announced Abuse Reform Implementation Taskforce began its work, and each entity has intensified its protection against abuse .”

The federal probe comes 15 after Christa Brown (a Southern Baptist woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted dozens of time by her pastor) called for an investigation.

” The federal government’s resources should be used to investigate all aspects of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention,” said Ms. Brown , who wrote for Religion News Service.

After the Justice Department investigation was reported, Ms. Brown posted on Twitter: “Fingers crossed” and added, “I hope that this might be the beginning of something .”

SBC delegate voted in June to establish an abuse reform taskforce and to appoint $3 million for a database to allow churches to check on potential volunteers and employees. An additional $1 million could be used to establish a victim care fund to offer counseling to victims of abuse.

After being elected at Anaheim’s convention, Barber promised to make the Baptist Church a “hunting grounds” for predators.

“Predators know the weaknesses of our system. It is now that Southern Baptists realize just how agile and resilient their Baptist polity can become to warn sexual predators that Southern Baptist churches pose a danger to them,” Barber stated.

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