WTS Attorney--Moreno—Who’s Screwed?!?
The legal liabilities are rapidly mounting for Congregation Elders & Kingdom Hall properties. This will involve all legal matters especially Pedophile cases. As Pedophile cases start getting filed this will no doubt unleash massive lawsuits by others Disfellowshipped, Blood Transfusions, especially with the January article to doctors world wide in the British Medical Journal. And those long time JW’s who were DF’ because they were deemed to be apostates. This will no doubt hit critical mass as the Government starts its investigations.
I know what I’m talking about after serving as an Elder for decades and in most all capacities available for appointment. If you are an Elder, or you have friends that are, please send this memo to them.
The New Boys of the GB and the new directors that replaced them in Oct. don’t have a clue what is coming their way. The old GB did, and think they will be able to dodge the legal artillery that’s ready to be unleashed. The old GB didn’t do it because, “They are going to devote more time to study”, come on do you really think they would willingly give up legal control if they thought they had any options? Living on the East Coast I don’t live all that far from the headquarters.
This corporate move was set up so the Attorneys and PR men like Moreno and Brown and others in their depts. could run this Org. Who are talking to the reporters so far? No GB or directors.
Here’s what is happening!
1- At the Elders schools we go to every 3 years the idea is given that we are covered by the Societies liability insurance. If we get sued that might have worked when they had outside insurance, they cancelled the policy we were told, and now they are self insured. Do you think they will turn loose of any more cash then they really have to? I don’t think so. They could be in a real pickle if inundated by multiple suits or class action suits. There is no large insurance company to fall back on anymore.
2- Read between the lines in Moreno’s and Browns’ comments, The Paducah Sun Newspaper 1/28/01 Paducah KY. First of all, this case could have been enough for WTS Corp director/GB changes not counting past and future similar cases. Anyway col. 3 par 1 says concerning the Pandelo case, “Carl and Barbara are arguing an appeal that the witnesses elders cannot claim ecclesiastical privilege because they are volunteers, thus unpaid, clergy”. In Col. 4 par 1 the reporter says both Brown and Moreno said, “That the Elders, who volunteer and are essentially untrained clergy, might err in their application of policy.” Untrained, doesn’t’ that make you feel special? Very Interesting! Elders I hate to tell you this but in reality you are on your own! The WTS legal and PR depts. are well aquatinted with the strategy of Pandelo’s attorney and are saying what Moreno will no doubt say to all elders. ‘You are screwed, because you screwed up’, in effect.
Moreno used this highly dignified Christian terminology in the Courier-Journal news of Louisville KY on 2/4/01 as told by the reporter Peter Smith. Pg. 4 last par(computer copy). “Once in a while, in a small minority cases, Elders screw up. They screw up because they don’t call here (WT legal dept.). When they call here, they don’t screw up.”
Elders are in a very, very, bad catch 22 situation. Even though every time the CO comes he trains us with the Flock Book and letters of direction from the Society (which we don’t get copies of, often) and every three years we have a 2 day seminar which we are often told legal procedure but told not to write it in our copy of the Flock Book, only on other paper. And then at Circuit Assemblies with the CO & DO taking turns outlining procedure. Untrained??? Maybe nothing in writing from the WTS on these very legal situations, but nonetheless we are trained, even thou Moreno and Brown say no. How does that make you feel, as they are trying to shift the liability?
If you want to even feel better call or write the legal or service dept and ask in writing what are the details and limits of liability for Elders. I have not known of one elder who was given a definitive reply. You are on your own!
It’s encouraging though that Brown says on pg. 11, “that Pedophiles also might not be sent into neighborhoods where they might be recognized as molesters.” Are you as Elders fully aware of where the Pedophiles in your cong, are working at ALL times? How about the pedophiles that move in, that have been convicted, but you were not notified by his, or her, previous cong. This happened in our hall! There are plenty more scenarios for liability. Browns words in the Christianity Today of 3/5/01 were most reassuring of our spiritual paradise, ‘The incidence of pedophilia is no worse in his religion then in others’. Maybe he was thinking about Moreno’s comment as quoted in last Sunday’s Louisville’s Courier-Journal. “If people could not count on confidentiality when they go and confess to a Catholic Priest, there’s going to be quite a chilling effect on religion.” So are we saying the WTS is on par with the Catholic church & their priests in the above matter?(“no worse then”).
Friends, take a moment and realize what is being said, how it’s been said, by the individuals the Governing Body of JW’s has appointed and given authority to speak for them, we have to wake up and ask some very important questions.
How could this be happening if this is truly God’s Org? Is it? Are we truly Boreans or are we blind followers? It’s time to figure it out on our own! There was no Org for almost 2000 years. I’d say we need to really study our Bi8bles without Org. interpretations and see if it really says what we’ve been told. I’ve heard recently the key is to try and see what the whole chapter is saying and what the 1st century Christian would have expected it to mean. I don’t believe it’s all that complicated.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1—As Elders, have the CO-DO or WTS put all directives in writing that could create any liability situation. No excuses (They will say we have to trust mother, God’s org) Don’t they tell us to put all matters in writing that could create lawsuits with our brother. Stand up like Bill Bowen, and others, God Blesses the Jehu spirit. Do you want to lose your home and everything if the WTS determines you screwed up. By the way that’s great language when talking about pedophiles Moreno, it show’s a lot of fellow feeling and support.
2—Have your attorneys cancel all family or individual wills, trusts, etc. you have pledged to the WTS. Do you want your family assets going down the drain in future lawsuits which could run into the mega millions—It’s estimated that the Catholic Church has paid out between ½ to 1 Billion dollars. This might be possible if as Brown suggests, ‘the incidence of pedophilia is no worse in his religion then in others’!
3—Even though the WTS has demonized the internet, what are they afraid of? I understand if we just start looking we can find dozens if not hundreds of sites about JW’s. Don’t believe anything negative unless you can verify it, the truth should be able to stand up to any scrutiny!
Moreno’s closing words; “What was the Harm?” Moreno said. “The report got made. You’ve got a teen, who has been molested, upset at the elders for not calling the police?” he said. “You can call the police. You’re the one injured. Who makes the laws? Not us. Don’t blame us for the laws, please. Talk to the state legislators in Colorado.” Moreno, I thought we were not supposed to get involved in politics—remember neutrality.
Please copy and send out to one and all. Especially Elders, CO’s & DO’s.
I believe timing is critical! Protect yourself, and your families financial interests. Get professional Help!
The above quotes were taken from these links;
http://christianitytoday.aol.com/ct/2001/004/23.html
http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2001/02/04/ky_jeh.html
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