Robert James Washington Jr. Named in Southern Baptist Convention List of Abusers

Was Robert James Washington Jr. Listed in SBC Abuse Investigation Report?

Robert James Washington Jr., a church van driver for the New Beginnings Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church on Flournoy-Lucas Road in Shreveport, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to rape and kidnapping of a minor. He was sentenced to hard labor for 40 years on one count of forcible rape and hard labor for 40 years on one count of second degree kidnapping.

Southern Baptist Convention List Of Abusers

According to the Washington Post, a 300-page report was launched on Sunday, May 22, 2022. The document contains horrible new information relating to particular abuse occurrences and clarify how denominational officials actively opposed abuse prevention and change for decades.

Southern Baptist Convention leaders have revealed an extensive and independent third-party examination that found that abusers were often ignored, forgotten, and even admonished by high-level congregation representatives from within this religious denomination of larger than 16 million members. Additionally, it uncovered these leaders frequently deceived their very own members to keep them from understanding the flagrant sexual wrongdoing.

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A History of Dismissed Abuse

For almost 20 years, victims who were sexually abused attempted to contact the administration of the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the priests and congregation staff members. Almost all of these disclosed events fell outside of the statutes of limitations, making it uncertain the number of sexual abusers were really incriminated. According to the document, a secret list was kept. Nevertheless, abuse victims’ cries for fair treatment went unheeded as leaders from churches and organizations tried to secure themselves instead of those who have actually been taken advantage of by sexual assault.

The report claims that a crucial Southern Baptist leader was credibly accused of sexual assault just 1 month after finishing his two-year term as the convention’s president. The report likewise names 3 prior presidents of the SBC, a previous vice president, and the previous head of the SBC’s administrative arm as notable SBC leaders who aided in covering up for and even encouraged believed abusers.

Accountability in the Baptist Convention

Russell Moore, the former head of the SBC’s policy branch, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, stated ‘this is not all Southern Baptists, look at all the good we do.’ The bombshell report demonstrates a pattern of stonewalling, intimidation, coverup, and retaliation.” He desires this document will bring much-needed reform and hold those liable for their actions.

The document alleges that a major Southern Baptist leader was credibly accused of sexual assault just 1 month after completing his two-year spell as the convention’s president. The report also names three prior presidents of the convention, a previous vice president, and the former head of the SBC’s administrative branch as notable SBC leaders who helped in covering up and even motivated believed abusers.