30 Oct 2024, 19:36SEC Communications
SEC President's Statement in response to Channel 4 News Report
Transcript
Dear brethren, friends, loved ones. On Tuesday evening, the 29th of October, 2024, most of us looked at a very disturbing report on Channel Four News. This report was filled with disturbing details of a now-deceased former member of our church, Don Kelly, who, in the 1960s and 70s, sexually molested teenage boys who attended one of our churches, has been named in the report.
These acts, as described by the two interviewees on our court here, were despicable, repulsive, heinous and acts of a sadistic, diabolical nature. No person. I repeat, no person should be subjected to this, ad we are deeply sorry for what you have gone through. You, the victims. This person breached the trust of parents, every moral and ethical code in society and the Christlike character.
To the victims. We are sorry for the hurt and pain. The trauma suffered by you at the hands of this perpetrator clearly has left scars, and we give you our sincerest empathy. Abuse of any kind should not be condoned in any way, shape or form. As a church, we are doing our best to ensure that this is eradicated from our congregations through constant education, vigilance and by motivating all to adhere to our very strong safeguarding policy.
We at the SEC believe that we can do this together. One individual going unreported can cause immense suffering and pain. We need maximum cooperation and help with this from you. Our faithful members or pastors and workers, wherever there's a culture of silence around these issues. We are encouraging you, our members and those who fellowship at us, those who worship at us, those who come and visit us to speak out and report these insider incidents.
Even though the spotlight has been cast on these incidents in the late '60s and '70s, the impact is felt today. We are truly sorry. I have four children, including teenage girls and a son. My heart bleeds at the heinousness of these incidents. The victims are at the heart of this saga. And that is why, as a new administration, we endorse the fact-finding investigative process that began in April 2023 and has led to these revelations.
We thank you, our faithful members, for your continued love, prayers and support for the victims, even as we do the same. May the love of God bring healing to our hearts again, to the victims. We are sorry.
Transcript
Dear brethren, friends, loved ones. On Tuesday evening, the 29th of October, 2024, most of us looked at a very disturbing report on Channel Four News. This report was filled with disturbing details of a now-deceased former member of our church, Don Kelly, who, in the 1960s and 70s, sexually molested teenage boys who attended one of our churches, has been named in the report.
These acts, as described by the two interviewees on our court here, were despicable, repulsive, heinous and acts of a sadistic, diabolical nature. No person. I repeat, no person should be subjected to this, ad we are deeply sorry for what you have gone through. You, the victims. This person breached the trust of parents, every moral and ethical code in society and the Christlike character.
To the victims. We are sorry for the hurt and pain. The trauma suffered by you at the hands of this perpetrator clearly has left scars, and we give you our sincerest empathy. Abuse of any kind should not be condoned in any way, shape or form. As a church, we are doing our best to ensure that this is eradicated from our congregations through constant education, vigilance and by motivating all to adhere to our very strong safeguarding policy.
We at the SEC believe that we can do this together. One individual going unreported can cause immense suffering and pain. We need maximum cooperation and help with this from you. Our faithful members or pastors and workers, wherever there's a culture of silence around these issues. We are encouraging you, our members and those who fellowship at us, those who worship at us, those who come and visit us to speak out and report these insider incidents.
Even though the spotlight has been cast on these incidents in the late '60s and '70s, the impact is felt today. We are truly sorry. I have four children, including teenage girls and a son. My heart bleeds at the heinousness of these incidents. The victims are at the heart of this saga. And that is why, as a new administration, we endorse the fact-finding investigative process that began in April 2023 and has led to these revelations.
We thank you, our faithful members, for your continued love, prayers and support for the victims, even as we do the same. May the love of God bring healing to our hearts again, to the victims. We are sorry.