Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterAS THE sex scandal involving 22-year-old Reverend Orane Ellis, pastor of the Banister Church of God in St. Catherine, unfolded this week, members of the clergy say the reports are having a negative impact on the institution.
"Obviously it is having a negative impact on the body of Christ," admitted Richard Keane, pastor of Family Church on the Rock, Montego Bay.
Despite the negative impact, however, he believes that the church will never be served a knockout blow in terms of membership confidence. Instead, he argues that sex scandals only force persons to be more careful in choosing the ministers in whom they confide, as opposed to totally shunning the organisation.
"It has no impact on the Church per se, but it will have an impact on that particular congregation," echoed Bishop Choyes Codner of Bethel Born Again Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. He said everyone has to battle his or her own beasts and demons.
Rev. Ellis was remanded in custody in the Old Harbour Resident Magistrate's Court on eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of carnal abuse, stemming from allegations that he had sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. The case involving Rev. Ellis is still in court.
SEX SCANDALS
In the not-too-distant past, the Roman Catholic Church was rocked by a series of sex scandals involving priests molesting little boys. The majority of cases were quickly settled out of court, but the stink of the allegations remained with the men of the cloth.
Percival Palmer, associate pastor at Fellowship Tabernacle, however, has opposing views. He believes that the incidents cast a shadow on the ministry and undermine the level of trust placed in pastors. "It has repercussions on us as to how people view us and the level of trust they put in us."
He added: "A lot of people still put their trust in the Church but these incidents are eroding it."
While the ministers did not see eye to eye on the impact the sex scandals were having on the Church, they shared the view that stones should not be cast at the fallen minister. The ministers added that fighting the desires of the flesh was a daily battle.
"We just have to move forward in grace and love and help our brother who has fallen. Restore the brother with grace as you can't say something like this will never happen to you," expressed Pastor Palmer.
Pastor Keane concurred. "There is always room for forgiveness. He can be restored."
A window of protection
According to the men of the cloth, there are ways to prevent falling into sexual traps. "Right now I have a glass window and anybody who walks up to it can see inside. There is no privacy in my office," Pastor Keane revealed. He explained that during counselling, that glass window is always open to aid in preventing sin from coming through any window of opportunity that might present itself.
Bishop Codner told The Sunday Gleaner that a third party is usually his strategy. If the situation is too sensitive for a third party, then the door to his office is always ajar. "If they don't want a second person there I always leave the door open. You need to take extra precautions," he emphasised.
Pastor Palmer said there was a glass section in his office door so as to not limit the seclusion. Pastor Palmer said the strategies might seem simplistic but they were mandatory. "It might look like you are afraid, but these things help you. It is simple but it is wisdom," he said.
While endeavouring not to limit the isolation, the ministers stressed that confidentiality was important and their strategies facilitate same.
The ministers told The Sunday Gleaner that they preach what they practice,
as their congregations are told take similar precautionary measures.
