If a Vicar/Pastor?

Question

Stories we hear alot.....If a man of the cloth engages in an affair with an 18 year old who is vulnerable, for a number of years he can if he is sorry lead a church again. If the same situation happened in a secular orginisation ie a hostel or youth club, that person would probaly never work in that feild again!!! I know God forgives...I believe in it fully...what are peoples veiws and thoughts on this????

Answer 1

we have talked about this in other ways this morning, the fact that anyone can repent and be saved as long as they are truly sorry, is just a way to gain more followers, because if the damned think they can be saved after a life of (sin) then they will fall into this trap. this is the real reason for this act, it was thought up as a way to convert the Hellenistic Pagans.

if the act of repenting will give you access to heaven, it is no wonder that so many paedophiles, rapist and murderers become 'Born Again' Christians, they repent they are forgiven. it is a ridiculous idea that these people can cause such crimes against society, but be forgiven by the church and God. where is the justice for the ones their victims left behind. The very first Christians were the dregs of society, they were easy to convert! it is all lies and deceit

Answer 2

this is the problem with all religions. The philosophy or ethos of the belief becomes more important than the acts performed so decisions are made by the leaders in this situation based not only on the need to protect the vulnerable but their need to maintain their belief system and the strange idea that if a man or woman for that matter is a qualified priest they are under some sort of control by a god. These sort of assumptions, despite the obvious flaw in them, colour their decisions. I agree everyone should be given a second chance but not by putting them back in the sort of situation that caused the problem in the first place when vulnerable people are involved

Answer 3

It is a very sad thing when such as this happens but the truth is they can be forgiven people do not real understand that a person who promotes the church always comes under very Strong attacks a lot more than the average ,we all sin and because of this we must pray that they with the Lords grace that they will overcome whatever the sin was.

Answer 4

Surely an 18yo is a consenting adult even if vulnerable. So under the law no offence has been committed. This is more about morals and ethics. The church, particularly the RCs are renowned for sweeping such things under the carpet. Bishops and Cardinals are as much to blame as the priest because they tolerate such behaviour. In the non-ecclesiastical world most bodies that have a duty of care are answerable to a board of governors or shareholders, which makes them more transparent in their actions. So asking question about the condoning of such behaviour is easier by the public in general. I believe that taking advantage of a vulnerable individual that you have a duty of care for irrespective of age is very wrong! Trust is crucial when we are dependent on others for our wellbeing.

Answer 5

God definitely forgives, but we should know our limitations and flee from temptation. Leaders of the church are to be without reproach and are to have their house hold in order. If they are not strong enough to fight this type of blatant temptation, they have no business leading a church. They need much more spiritual growth and discipline before they try to even teach again. If my pastor did something like this, I would forgive him and love (brotherly) him through it, but I would no longer support him being a pastor.

Answer 6

Its not illegal neither is 16 .(England)18 year olds are Adults so why would an 18 year old be vulnerable .may be if the 18 year old had a condition that limited their mental age to that of a child it would be wrong.
i wouldn`t have though 18 year olds even went to youth clubs???

Answer 7

I think that if Paul can be a murderer of Christians and God can forgive him and use him to teach multitudes of people.. than anything is possible.

Acts 9
Saul's Conversion
1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Answer 8

The American law may be different. In Europe, the age of majority is 18. From the way its phrased and answered, then this does not appear to be the case there, so I assume the age is 21.

In that case his own church should throw him out, regardless of civil proceedings. He has sinned against the victim, against himself, against the state, against the church, and against God. You want to give him second chance to repeat it? No way. The first duty is to protect the weak. 2nd chances comes second.

Answer 9

Forgiveness doesn't mean you get stupid in the process. A "pastor" who does this sort of thing disqualifies them for ever being a pastor/minister/priest/whatever.

We either use the Biblical instructions regarding these issues, or we might as well go back to living in caves and grunting at fire.

.

Answer 10

Everyone deserves a 2nd chance......

God is the God of 2nd chances, 3rd, 100th....etc

But there should be a time for restoration before someone is reinstated into a position of authority