Messengers called for churches and civil authorities to hold
clergy members guilty of sexual abuse accountable in a resolution adopted at
the 2002 Southern Baptist Convention.
Messengers called for churches and civil authorities to hold
clergy members guilty of sexual abuse accountable in a resolution adopted at
the 2002 Southern Baptist Convention.
The resolution addressing sexual integrity among spiritual
leaders was one of 10 approved at the annual meeting. Messengers passed each
of the 10 either unanimously or with only a few opposing votes.
The approved resolutions included:
One refusing to commend the Todays New International
Version of the Bible, describing it as an “inaccurate translation.”
One defending the existence of Israel and calling
for religious freedom and peace in the Middle East.
One supporting the United States anti-terrorism
campaign and affirming salvation through Jesus as the “only ultimate answer
to all forms of terrorism.”
A call for President Bush to make enactment of
a ban on partial-birth abortion a “high priority.”
A call for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
to consider the presidents judicial nominees in a timely way.
One affirming Christian counseling that depends
upon Scripture amid a “therapeutic culture.”
One expressing grief for the killing of missionary
Martin Burnham in the Philippines and sympathy for his widow, Gracia, and their
children.
One voicing appreciation for security personnel
who served at the convention.
One expressing appreciation for the annual meetings
host city and area churches.
The resolution on sexual integrity in the clergy was presented
in the context of the unfolding sexual abuse scandal among Roman Catholics,
but it primarily called for actions by Southern Baptists.
The messengers called for Southern Baptist churches to discipline
those guilty of sexual abuse by the pattern provided in Matthew 18 and to work
with government officials in prosecuting offenders.
The resolution not only encouraged lives of “integrity
and fidelity” among Southern Baptists, but it urged accountability by spiritual
leaders to the “highest standards of Christian moral practice.”
Messengers also called on the SBCs seminaries to focus
on ministerial integrity in their training process.
The approved measure urged religious organizations to “rid
their ranks of predatory ministers.” It called on civil authorities to
punish guilty clergy and counselors “to the fullest extent of the law.”
Resolutions Committee Chair Frank Harber of Colleyville, Texas,
told reporters there “was no intent in any way to be negative toward the
Catholic Church.”
The resolution is a “message to ourselves among our own
ranks to have the highest standards of integrity, accountability,” Harber
explained.
In another resolution, messengers asked Southern Baptist entities
not to use the Todays New International Version of the Bible. The resolution
said the TNIV had gone beyond “acceptable translation standards,”
especially in its elimination of various gender-specific references.
The resolution also expressed “profound disappointment”
in the International Bible Society and Zondervan Publishing House for their
roles in the translation.
“For people who take biblical authority seriously, the
matter of Bible translation is of the utmost importance,” committee member
Russell Moore of Kentucky said. “What we have here is an inaccurate and
misleading translation of Gods Scripture.”
In a resolution pledging prayer for peace in the Middle East,
the messengers voiced support for Israels existence but said it should
be held accountable for national righteousness “as any other nation.”
It called for Palestinians to reform their government in order
to “repudiate terrorism and tyranny.” The resolution urged both the
Israelis and Palestinians to seek to advance religious liberty and peace. It
also affirmed prayer for the “true peace of our Lord” to rule in the
lives of both groups of people.
The resolution calling for a federal ban on partial-birth abortion
was the only one approved by messengers that was not offered by the Resolutions
Committee. (See accompanying article)
However, at the same time, messengers rejected an attempt to bring to the floor
a resolution describing Freemasonry as incompatible with Christianity. (BP)