The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter CAN children feel protected by the church in the Bahamas? In the eyes of some, doubt has been cast on the church with the recent convictions of high profile clergymen. Given the level of child abuse in the country - found in homes, schools and even churches - some are asking the question. They want to know: "If victims cannot turn to the church, where can they possibly go?" The Bahamas Christian Council recently broke its silence on the matter, calling on the churches of disgraced clergymen Bishop Randy Fraser and Pastor Albert Alexander Whyley to "make amends" with the families of the victims. In a statement issued by the Council after Bishop Fraser was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a minor, the council called the matter "regrettable and unfortunate," saying it ought never to have happened. The Council also encouraged church members involved in family counselling "to adopt new strategies to ensure complete transparency" and to ensure "their integrity and character remains unblemished." The statement did not outline any specific strategies or recommended church policies. Pastor Matthew Allen of Kingdom Minded Fellowship Centre International said there should be zero tolerance for those who abuse children. When cases arise, he said, the church should do all within its power to protect the name and identity of victims. Pastor Allen quoted Mark chapter nine: "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." He said the Bible serves as a policy manual for how to protect children against abuse. However, he said, the church in some cases has "taken the road of leaning to its own understanding rather that the word of God." He said the negative treatment that many child victims have to endure is "most unfortunate and definitely not the standard that should be placed upon any woman or child in the society." "Stop being emotionally led and yield to the Holy Spirit. Humble yourselves; repent of your behaviour and then apologise to this young girl and her family for your actions," said Pastor Allen. Father Chester Burton of St Peter's Anglican Church said children should see the church as a haven for guidance and protection. "It should be seen as a place to stay if they have no home to go to. The church should be looked at as an ark, where persons from all walks of life can come in for food or shelter," said Father Burton. He suggested church counsellers have sit-ins on their counselling sessions to avoid any conflicts. "I feel as if he should have asked maybe his wife to sit in on the counselling session or somebody else to be there if he felt as if he was going to be intimidated by the girl. If he had done that, he would have maybe stood a better chance of being out of the situation he is now involved in," said Father Burton. At his church in Long Island, Father Burton said he would allow his wife to sit in on counselling sessions. "If anything is inappropriate, she would be there to witness what happened and verify what took place," he said. The actions of Bishop Fraser have belittled and demoralised the priesthood in the Bahamas and the world alike, said Father Burton. Drawing an illustration from the sexual harassment and adultery claims against former Republican candidate Herman Cain, Father Burton said: "Look at him, it caused him his position on his campaign. People feel that they are not accountable for the actions and look it is happening all around the world. We need to look at these things and realise that we are all responsible for our actions." He stressed that children should see the church as a safe haven, saying there is nothing wrong with "speaking out." He also said it is important for parents to be active and supportive in their children's lives. The church can help, but it has to begin in the home, he said. Asking children simple questions like, how was their day at school, is very important. "You have to be more aware that this world has changed and some people cannot be trusted with your children. The situation with the pastor, he was a wolf in sheep's clothing and so it awakened everybody to say, I am a parent, I need to be paying attention," said Father Burton. Bishop Simeon Hall of New Covenant Baptist Church told Tribune Religion the first step for the church to do in protecting children is to encourage parents to protect their children at home. "There is no way for me to protect your child sitting here in my office. The church needs to heighten the importance of parental control, give emphasis on parental control and protection," he said. It was wrong for the victim in the Randy Fraser case to be blistered by church members, because children should be protected at all times, regardless, he said. People should sympathize with children. He said the Christian faith of church calls on members to be truthful, honest and to be fair. He added that you can judge a society's progress by how it protects its children. "The whole thing has to begin with parents, they have to fortify their children to not take any foolishness from anybody," he said. In its statement, the Christian Council also encouraged parents and all responsible adults to become "intolerant of any sign of children being at risk of would be predators."