Recordings show how the Mormon church protects itself from child sex abuse claims
Source: Associated Press
Recordings show how the Mormon church protects itself from child sex abuse claims
BY MICHAEL REZENDES AND JASON DEAREN
Updated 12:23 AM EST, December 4, 2023
HAILEY, Idaho (AP) — Paul Rytting listened as a woman, voice quavering, told him her story.
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After a quick prayer, he introduced himself and said he was there “to look into” Chelsea’s “tragic and horrendous” story.
Chelsea and Lorraine had come to the meeting with one clear request: Would the church allow a local Idaho bishop, which in the Mormon church is akin to a Catholic priest, to testify at John Goodrich’s trial? Bishop Michael Miller, who accompanied Rytting to the meeting, had heard a spiritual confession from Chelsea’s father shortly before John Goodrich was arrested on charges of sexually abusing her.
While the details of his confession remain private, the church swiftly excommunicated Goodrich.
Audio recordings of the meetings over the next four months, obtained by The Associated Press, show how Rytting, despite expressing concern for what he called John’s “significant sexual transgression,” would employ the risk management playbook that has helped the church keep child sexual abuse cases secret. In particular, the church would discourage Miller from testifying, citing a law that exempts clergy from having to divulge information about child sex abuse that is gleaned in a confession. Without Miller’s testimony, prosecutors dropped the charges, telling Lorraine that her impending divorce and the years that had passed since Chelsea’s alleged abuse might prejudice jurors.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-investigation-child-sex-abuse-9c301f750725c0f06344f948690caf16
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This same story is repeated throughout organized religion in the US. Meanwhile this isn't the only way organized religion victimizes children. All over the US right now religious groups are actively engaging in concerted efforts to further marginalize and abuse LGBTQ children who are already one of the most marginalized and abused groups in the US.
And yet even right here on DU some would have you believe we can't talk about the toxic effects of organized religion because somebody might be personally offended for some irrational reason. 
