S. Baptists say no to sex predator list

By Carla Hinton

Published: June 11, 2008

Vowing that they will not turn a "blind eye” to sexual predators in their midst, Southern Baptist Convention leaders nonetheless said Tuesday they are not creating a database tracking sexually abusive ministers.

Morris Chapman, the convention's executive committee president, reported on the matter during the opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Indianapolis. Chapman's remarks came in response to Enid pastor Wade Burleson's 2007 request that the executive committee explore the possibility of developing a database of Southern Baptist ministers and staff involved in sexual abuse or harassment.

At the time, Burleson said such a database would help prevent such predators from going from church to church victimizing those in different congregations.

Tuesday, Chapman told more than 7,000 messengers gathered for the national meeting that such a database is not feasible for several reasons:

•Chapman and his committee said it would be impossible to ensure that all convicted sexual predators who ever had a connection with a Baptist church would be included in such a database.

•The committee reported that creating a database of "Baptist only” convicted sexual offenders would exclude predators previously identified in other faith groups, thus committee members recommended that Baptist churches screen potential volunteers and employees through the U.S. Justice Department's national database.

•The committee said due to the autonomy of Southern Baptist churches, the convention does not have any authority to require local churches to report instances of alleged sexual abuse to their local association, the state Baptist convention or the national convention.

Chapman emphasized the convention's commitment to eradicating sexual predators from Baptist ministry even though the database concept was not deemed viable.

"Never let it be said that we are anemic in the fight against sexual abuse. To say so is a false accusation,” Chapman said.

•Burleson, pastor of Enid's Emmanuel Baptist Church, said the committee appeared to do as he requested in investigating the possibility of a database.

•David Clohessy, national director of the Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the decision is discouraging.

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