Ravi Zacharias: ‘Harrowing dark night of those…abused’
Eternity News Australia / Washington Post / Twitter / New York Times
A former leader in the ministry of Ravi Zacharias, the disgraced apologist who engaged in ‘sexting, unwanted touching, spiritual abuse, and rape’ according to a new report, has spoken of the ‘harrowing dark night of those… abused’ by the evangelist.
The former head of Ravi Zacharias Ministry in Australia, Dan Paterson, said: ‘I feel heavy-hearted for those who loved and looked up to Ravi, who now have wake up to a dark reality that months ago seemed so unthinkable. May their faith be purified by the Lord as it comes under fire, knowing that a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.’
Church Society investigating ‘serious allegations of bullying and abuse’
The Church of England evangelical grouping Church Society says it is investigating ‘very serious and wide-ranging allegations of bullying and abuse’ made about some of its staff and council members.
In a statement issued as en was going to print, Revd Andrew Towner, chair of the Church Society council, and Dr Ros Clarke, Associate Director, said: ‘Some of you may be aware that Church Society, along with some of its staff and Council members, has been the subject of some serious allegations made on social media.
Abuse: warnings as scandals unfold
Evangelicals are facing a period of soul searching, heartache and challenge as three separate scandals unfolded.
The release of a review into lessons to be learnt from Jonathan Fletcher’s time as minister at Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon, was expected at any time.
We all must reckon with abusers
Warning: the following content relates to crimes of abuse and could be both upsetting and triggering.
Recent headlines have reported on the shocking case of Stephen Ireland and David Sutton, both jailed for multiple child sex offences. The former has been a prominent LGBT advocate and campaigner, was a founder of ‘Pride in Surrey’, and cultivated significant relationships with local police — drawing added attention to the case.