Continued....
Draffenville Kentucky Congregation
Of Jehovah's Witnesses
PO Box 788 Benton KY 42025
July 15, 2002
William H_ Bowen
P.O. Box 311
Calvert City , KY 42029
Dear Brother Bowen:
We corresponded with you an June 1, 2002 in an effort to set up a date to hold a judicial hearing with you.
You informed us that you were not available on the date we selected. Therefore, we have made arrangements to hold the hearing on July 24, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. at the following address:
Kingdom Hall
86 Foust-Sledd Road
Benton , Kentucky
In accordance with the usual procedure, followed by Jehovah's Witnesses, when you meet with the judicial committee, no tape recordings will be allowed at the hearing, no attorneys may be present at the hearing, observers are not permitted at the hearing, and due respect must be accorded to the elder who is chairing the meeting.
Very truly yours,
For Judicial Committee,
Ronald Cary
Fax: 270-338-5084
CC: L Rush Hunt, Attorney at Law
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July 24th 2002:
Judicial Hearing-Elders Afraid
After my specific request in writing of not being able to attend unless my witnesses could appear, the judicial committee informed a reporter for the Paducah Sun they were going to convene a hearing anyway at 7 pm Wednesday evening. I decided to go down to the Kingdom Hall and make an appearance. I arrived at 7:05 and parked out front. The Sun reporter was there, but I noted there was only one vehicle in the parking lot. Now as you may recall, to convict a child molester in the face of a denial there must be two eye-witnesses before a disfellowshipment can take place. Since I have flatly denied the charge of "causing divisions" I chose to wait for any witnesses to appear to testify against me. None showed up. After the reporter left the elders peeked out the window and saw me sitting out side, then the strangest thing happened, they taped trash bags over the windows and it appears they locked the front door. I took a picture as elder Jeff Stein stepped outside to do so. (You have to lock the door from the outside)I waited for another thirty minutes and then all three came outside, Ron Cary, George Bandarra, and Jeff Stein. Jeff waved and they got in their SUV and drove off.
George Bandarra informed the Sun reporter they were going to call me with their decision Thursday. I do not understand how they made a decision for the following reasons:
1. They produced no eye-witnesses in the face of my flat denial.
2. They ignored my request in writing for my right to produce eye-witnesses as to my innocence. (this is according to organizational protocol)
3. They did not invite me in to appear, but instead covered the windows and locked the door even though I was sitting in plain sight.
4. They refuse to acknowledge or answer any correspondence I send to them but act on their letters without any consideration for my defense.
Included you will find a link to pictures of what is described above.
IN this photo if you look closely you will see the windows are open on each side of the door and a reporter from the Sun is inside talking to the elders.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44722772XooRVs
In this photo it appears the elder is locking the door from the outside as they are taping up the windows with trash bags.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44722843MBprWy
There you have it windows taped completely shut and door locked. I guess this will really help them to meditate on making a fair and impartial decision.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44723017NEbYFW
Ron Cary getting in SUV to leave, George Bandarra is already in the SUV.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44723095CotTTW
Jeff Stein leaving out of the Kingdom Hall.. Ron Cary shutting the door of SUV.. George Bandarra getting ready to hit the gas.. Perhaps because they forgot their eye-witnesses they did not want to talk about it as I sat right in front of them. Could it be that once again these local-out-of-town elders gave in to "fear of man"? Perhaps they are blind and did not see me sitting in their driveway taking their picture?
http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44723151WBQHwq
Isaiah 10:1,2 (NWT)
Woe to those who are enacting harmful regulations and those who, constantly writing, have written out sheer trouble, 2 in order to push away the lowly ones from a legal case and to wrest away justice from the afflicted ones of my people.
silentlambs
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7-29-02
Draffenville Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses
Judicial Committee Elders of:
Murray Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses
Central City Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses
Any other congregations in which elders have been appointed to my judicial committee
Dear Brothers,
I wish to appeal the decision made to disfellowship me. The reason is because of an error in judgment due to the deceptive manner which the judicial committee operated in the face of my flat denial of any wrongdoing. I have not committed any sin against God or the organization. The judicial committee failed to produce any eye-witnesses to back up their allegations, thus they have no case against me.
As you will note from previous correspondence over the course of the last 19 months I have endeavored to communicate extensively to the organization regarding the need to change WT policy when it comes to abuse and also to request apology and/or explanation for sanctions that have been directed against me by the Governing Body of Jehovahs Witnesses. I find it despicable that any elder would cooperate with such wicked actions at their direction. For your review I offer the following:
1. Placing restrictions on me within the congregation without any charges of wrongdoing to make it appear to the congregation I had sinned in some way.
2. Watchtower representatives giving numerous talks in which it is inferred I am a liar and all allegations are false on the deficiencies of WT policy regarding child abuse.
3. WT Public Information distributing a video to media in which my father is coerced to call me a liar along with Earl Norman and JR Brown.
4. Forbidden to have assignments on the Theocratic Ministry School and withdrawn as Watchtower reader to put forth the appearance to the congregation a judicial committee had offered sanction.
5. Instructing the Draffenville Congregation to go door-to-door and tell the public that I am liar.
6. Forbidding me to work with the congregation in field service.
7. Instructing brothers and sisters in my congregation to treat me as disfellowshipped.
8. Deceptive comments to the media to create an impression to the public that myself and other advocates have committed other "sins" against God. (a bald-faced lie)
9. Pressuring fellow witnesses to stop working in my candle business due to negative comments by representatives of Watchtower leadership.
10. Deceptively saying you cannot find a KM, personal literature orders and magazines when I have requested them.
11. Elders informing me I was not welcome at meetings.
12. Supporting the local child molester by awarding him privileges in the congregation.
13. I made numerous requests in writing for assistance in resolving the above matters but the Governing Body instructed you to ignore my cry for help.
As you brothers are well aware I base my comments on matters that I have dealt with personally, that is, actions I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. If you happened to watch Dateline and BBC Panorama you of course can see on national television the truthfulness of my statements backed up with factual evidence from the abuse survivors themselves. If these programs were all lies as Watchtower has informed many brothers and sisters, why have they not moved to sue these programs to protect their good name? Jeff Steen is well aware that what I have stated locally is the truth as he participated in the investigation as well as telephone conversations to Service Department. Yet he sits on a judicial committee to disfellowship me? What kind of spiritual man does he prove himself to be?
In a court of justice for a judgment to be fair and impartial certain protocols must be met. Within the Jehovah's Witness court certain protocol is outlined in the elder book, "Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock". The judicial committee in following the directions of the Governing Body, failed to follow the written guidelines in the course of my hearing, therefore the judgment was unfair and partial. I offer the following examples:
1. Arranging a hearing in writing and the judicial committee not showing up.
2. Refusing to communicate answers to clarifying questions for the hearing by ignoring all correspondence.
3. Failure to provide eye-witnesses to rebut my denial of any wrongdoing.
4. Conducting a secret judicial hearing without informing me.
5. Ignoring a second arranged in writing meeting without any communication.
6. Repeated harassment by not following my respectful request to have all communication go through my attorney.
7. Failure to provide description of the charges against me in the latest hearings.
8. Failure of the chairman to provide correspondence to the accused as instructed in Flock book.
9. By the actions of the committee I was denied my right to present witnesses in my behalf.
10. Failure of the committee to provide suitable and convenient arrangements for the time of the hearing by using deception and short notice.
I believe these actions of ignoring all protocol for this "kangaroo" hearing has been personally directed by the Governing Body in order to silence the call for proper actions to be ta in behalf of children. The local judicial committee has not acted for the sake of righteousness, but instead as men without morals or ethics who simply obey as instructed. It is a similar process followed when child molesters are exposed in the congregation as directed by the Governing Body.
When these matters began I held hope that righteous men would rise up to protect the children in our organization. I hoped some of those men would be found on the Governing Body who would stand up and stop policies that allow children to be raped. In the course of the last nineteen months instead of proving themselves righteous the Governing Body has committed actions that prove them to be wicked men.
In the illustration of the Faithful and Discreet Slave it is interesting to note the comment made in Luke 12: 43-45;
"Happy is THAT slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so! 44. I tell you truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings. 45. But if ever THAT slave should say in his heart, My master is delays in coming, and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk."
You see brothers in the illustration the slave is one man with an option, to be good or to be wicked. The Governing Body as appointed leaders of the FDS has instituted actions that have "beat" the children of this organization. When anyone speaks out about this, they are "beaten" by the threat and use of disfellowshipping as a way to silence proper action in behalf of children. "THAT slave" has become evil when it hurts children. Since 1992 the Governing Body was clearly informed by a written report to each member, that children are being raped as a result of negligence in WT Policy. With great wickedness and 23,000 child molesters later, to this day they have refused to act. My June letter to the Service Committee requested a solution to this by following theocratic guidelines within organizational arrangement on September 27th. Result? The Governing Body appoints a judicial committee to disfellowship me ignoring all protocols for doing so. Do you really believe you can have Jehovahs spirit and follow the bidding of wicked men? If I am wrong in this reasoning I invite you brothers to prove otherwise.
This proceeding has to date been completely partial, unfair, deceptive, and unjust. Will you as an appeal committee stand for righteousness? I await your communication for a hearing. I also request sufficient time to bring eye-witnesses and agree to face any witnesses who may wish to testify against me. Please provide a weekend time frame and a specific meeting time in writing to my attorney.
Very truly yours,
silentlambs
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August 16th 2002:
My disfellowshipping
As with anyone associated with Jehovahs Witnesses the worst possible news anyone can have is being df. It means a loss of everyone and everything you have known all your life. When I first came forward to the media with my allegations of abuse cover-ups in the organization, one thing I made clear to reporters was that they would df me for speaking out on this issue. You see I played you Watchtower, I knew they were so arrogant that they would not let me tell them what they were going to do. So they had to have their control and not do anything. Bad mistake Watchtower. Your stupidity allowed me months and months to gather evidence and make a stronger case that I ever would have if you had df'd me in the first two weeks. But I depended on your arrogance and stupidity, not to mention a PR Department that operated like the gang that couldnt shoot straight.
First they call me a liar in the congregation, bad move boys, I got it on tape. Then the PR tape of my father, just plain stupid, even reporters were calling me amazed at how evil they were. Then came to sanctions, I documented each one through correspondence and requests for apology, they of course ignored them. Thank you very much, you are proving your lack of Christianity. But perhaps I am leaving the absolute diamond behind, that is, your denial of any wrongdoing. With 30 stories maybe it was just a few bad eggs, with 100 stories perhaps it was just some elders out of line, but over 5,000? When you lie with 5,000 victims accusing you, you make a complete ass of yourself. Thank you JR Brown.
Think about it, what person has ever been df with such torpedoes broad siding Watchtower. The New York Times, Sunday when I have my appeal hearing, CNN the day before my df, and a nice article locally all about it in the morning. Watchtower, how stupid do you have to be to get that much bad PR? Shoulda backed off, but like a spoiled brat you wanted it now, so we gave you both barrels. Does anyone see what has happened here? Remember when the uprising that occurred in China? The liberal side started to get a strong following and appeared at the verge of bringing democracy to the entire country. What happened? It gave the conservatives an excuse to completely crush all liberals. To this day there is no liberal movement with substance in China. So to with Watchtower, when the issue of a problem with child molestation first surfaced I had many insiders who contacted me and offered help. They instantly saw the problem and in an effort to save the organization they offered insights and assistance to help things move forward. They said they would protect me. Perhaps it was a combination of the above along with liberal protection that allowed me to last for seventeen and one half months without being df. Well, a change occurred at the end of April much like what happened in China. The conservatives used silentlambs as an excuse to squash the liberals and any chance of reform in the organization. Why do you think they are asking for 1,000 to leave Bethel? Who do you think 90% of that 1,000 are? It is the liberals, they are being kicked out wholesale and by doing so the last chance for the organization to save itself. The battle is over, Jaracz won.
All Jehovahs Witnesses will now "not be going beyond the things written" and if anyone says different, you will be disfellowshipped. Remember China did not go out of business, they just lost the only chance they had at being a better government. So to with Watchtower, they could have protected children better, they could have had more compassion, they could have shown more love, they could have made it easier to be a JW. Not any more. They will sacrifice everyone in the organization to follow the bidding of a spoiled brat known as the Governing Body. To hell with the children, we just don't want anyone telling us what to do. So it goes
So tonight, I went to the meeting. I called every reporter I knew and asked them to come and one did show up, just enough to make them nervous. She sat up front across the auditorium and I asked an elder to provide her with a song book. Which he quickly complied with, don't want to stumble any prospective members. I was able to briefly explain how the meeting was going to proceed as no one else volunteered. I guess I could have counted my time.
I was spoken to by two elders after I looked them in the eye and said something to them directly. Everyone else looked away and refused to speak even if I said something to them. Could it be someone did not keep confidentiality? I was there about five minutes early and stood up toward the front of the auditorium the rest of the congregation stayed in the back. The PO looked at me with a dirty look and laughed, I took my finger and pointed straight at him for about five seconds and gave him a big smile, and I ain't taking no crap type look.
Then the meeting started, I had my song book so I sung nice and loud. All those around me were trying to drown me out, so they were screaming at the top of their lungs. It was nice to finally get the friends to really sing out. Then came the school, I was nice and even looked up the scriptures. Everyone who gave talks was nervous as cats, noticeably shaking and glancing over my way. It was like they thought I was going to pounce on them or something. At talk number two I went back to the bulletin board to catch up. We are getting a new CD. It is called WT cd 2001, isnt this 2002? They said it would be coming soon so I guess it is not ready yet. The letter was dated at the end of June. Nothing of note other than I clearly noticed the molesters name was not anywhere on the board, not even a TMS part. So it appears I might be having a little effect on his life anyway, especially since I told the entire world when they started using him again. He had a nice little group around him all visiting and making him feel welcome before the meeting. After thirteen months out, not one person acted like they wanted me there. Hey, what can I say, I guess the spiritual paradise does not like people who are in the media.
The reporter came back and we stepped out side to do a bit of an interview as we waited for the halfway point. Then they started to sing as Sheila drove up with the digital camera. Did I say we got Pictures?
http://community.webshots.com/album/47148865uPbeds Enjoy...
Each part on the meeting in the TMS was prefaced by comments about the worldwide work and how these talks were being given all over the world. Nice PR for the reporter, boy were they laying it on. At the announcements they finally said we would now like for brother elder to come up to the stage. When he got up there, I stood up. He then started talking about the CO visit last week and made a motion to pay expenses. I sat down. I thought maybe later.
Nope they skipped it.
Now for any elders out there, everyone knows you make the announcement during the "announcements," why did they wait? Did the have fear of man? I went out and talked to the reporter from the Paducah Sun. I suggested they were holding it till last, hoping she would leave or they may wait till another meeting to keep me guessing. I told her they were playing games and they just blinked again. She called her editor and he gave her thirty minutes more.
We went back in and I got to thinking, I am tired of these silly games. Lee Stockwell had the last part on the meeting and since he has made an ass of himself on several occasions I thought I would wait for him to get up there. What was I going to do?
From this point forward we have decide to make a new guideline for anyone disfellowshipped for abuse issues.
We make our own announcement.
When Stockwell got on the stage I stood up and turned to the audience and said:
"Tonight they were supposed to announce that I was to be disfellowshipped. I object to this announcement, I object to this proceeding. I have broken no biblical law, I have broken no law of the organization. The Governing Body has ordered my disfellowshipping to prevent my presentation of evidence that proves them to be lying hypocrites. I am now a silentlamb, as are the thousands of abuse survivors whose lives have been ruined by Watchtower Policy on child molestation."
Stockwell tried to out yell me at one point, but shut up. Sheila was taking pictures and that froze them from grabbing me as they knew we would get it on film. I had my say and walked out. When I got to the back Stockwell announced, "William H. Bowen has been disfellowshipped."
I yelled, "You got it!"
I then walked out the door. It was a sense of exhilaration and relief. I finally got to say to the congregation what I had wanted to say for two years. I did nothing wrong.
The reporter sat on the carport for light and copied my statement to the congregation. They were coming to the window and peeking out, giving me angry looks. I just smiled and waved while Sheila took a few more pictures. They really looked small at that point
The reporter said be sure and buy a paper Friday, we said our good-byes. As I started my truck with loud pipes, I guess Satan entered into me for a moment, I drove through the drive through, kicked it in neutral and floored it as I coasted through. Was that disrupting the meeting?
When I got home Sheila and the kids were waiting with champagne and a nice family hug. I now wear as a badge of honor, being disfellowshipped for standing up for children. I find no shame, no guilt, and no dishonor for what I have done. If everything with silentlambs ended today I would believe it to all be worthwhile for the assistance and hope given to so many. You can stand, you can speak out, and take back what they robbed you of. Your self esteem and knowledge you did nothing wrong.
Joe Anderson also was disfellowshipped tonight. He followed the same tack. He mailed out letters to everyone in the congregation except the PO. The letter informed them of his disfellowshipping and the reason why, along with the original letter he wrote resigning. So when they made the announcement everybody already knew. Joe did not attend, there was no point to it.
The conservatives have won, the organization will go on, but it will be a harsher crueler organization driven by soldiers without conscience and scared rabbits to do their bidding. The worst part is the damage done to children till Watchtower Policy finally changes.
silentlambs
I include Joes letter below:
Dear Folks,
I am writing to let you know about my situation in the congregation and my feelings on the matter. You might also say this is a letter telling you goodbye.
I've been associated with Jehovahs Witnesses for over fifty years and my interest is still in Jehovah and his purpose. What has always impressed me was the honesty and truthfulness of the organization, and for changes the organization has made in the past to benefit the congregations. I want to add here that I continue to have only love for all of Jehovah's Witnesses, including the elders and the people at Watchtower headquarters, many of whom Ive known since the 1950's.
Recently, I wrote a letter explaining why I resigned as an elder and sent it to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society regarding changes that I believed were needed in their child sexual abuse policies. I gave each elder in the Manchester Congregation a copy of the letter to let them know what I was doing. Let me say here that this has nothing to do with doctrines, etc., but about procedures that could impact safety of the flock, Christian love, and elders doing the right thing in behalf of the membership. However, because of writing this letter, at a judicial hearing a few weeks ago, I was accused of undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization.
I have enclosed, for your observation, a copy of this letter so you can get a sense of what's going on. As you know, this type of thing is always kept secret from the congregation, consequently, everything appears to be going peacefully. Normally, I concur with the organizations procedures regarding privacy for there are issues that do not involve the entire congregation so its best to respect confidentially. However, I perceive that keeping quiet about sexual child abuse in a congregation is a totally different situation. This criminal activity has to be exposed to protect us. Appropriate handling of sexual abuse accusations and subsequent information to the congregation does not undermine the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization. On the contrary, keeping child abuse a secret does undermine the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization.
To give you examples of deviant sexual proclivities kept secret within the organization that have served to undermine confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization were the dismissals from Bethel since 1991 of two Governing Body brothers, Chitty and Greenlees. Chitty was homosexual and also an alcoholic. He returned to , where he was from, and the Watchtower Society provided him support and an apartment to live in. He was not disfellowshipped.
Greenlees was a known homosexual when he lived and worked at , Watchtowers Canadian Branch Office and his appointment as a member of the Governing Body caused considerable shock to the staff there. He was dismissed from Brooklyn Bethel in the mid 80s while Barbara, Lance and I were there and sent out as a special pioneer. Later, informed people at told us that Greenlees was not dismissed for being gay, but rather for molesting a young boy. He was not disfellowshipped.
In my resignation letter I referred to a young lady who was with the Manchester Congregation some years ago, who came forward as a result of the Tennessean newspaper and identified several brothers in our area who molested her as a child. To say the least, I was shocked to hear her story, and then when the elders were informed when I met with them, two of them corroborated some of her claims.
I believe because of the nature of pedophiles that all of us should know about their past offenses, which would warn us of the potential harm that can come by keeping this a secret. There are over 23,000 , Canadian and British cases of confessed and accused molesters filed at Watchtower headquarters, many of which have never been turned over to the authorities. If you take into account that by Watchtower Society requirements there has to be two or more victims before some action is ta by the congregation against a molester, this would mean there are many thousands more victims than 23,000 molesters. In fact, one Jehovahs Witness in molested seventeen children before he was imprisoned. He still is not disfellowshipped. Presently, there is one confessed molester now attending the congregation and another former elder who confessed to molestation, who moved to a nearby congregation last year. But Watchtower policy prohibits us from telling you who they are. In the Manchester Congregation, there is only one elder who has small children in his care who knows who these men are, consequently, he can protect his children, but you who have children are not permitted that right to know. Is that fair? Or loving?
Why can't we write the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society with our concerns, questions, and doubts about things that effect us? But as you can see from the action taken against me that you'renot free as you think. See James 1:25. In addition, never forget that James said in chapter 4, verse 17 that if you know whats right and not do it, its a sin.
If you write to Watchtower with compliments, you hear nothing. But write something that they term negative or divisive, your letter is sent back to your home congregation and the elders investigate. If you dont repent then you will be disfellowshipped. Since my Bible-trained conscience does not allow me to repent of what is perceived by the Watchtower Society as undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization from what I said in my resignation letter, I will be disfellowshipped.
To see what the Bible tells us about Christian freedom read 1 Peter 2:19-21 and Hebrews 3:6. Notice too that 1 Cor. 10:29 asks why should it be that a persons freedom is judged by another persons conscience.
My desire is not to separate you from the congregation and the many friends you have. Im merely letting you know what is going on, which Ive always wanted to do. There is a lot more to say, but for now I can only say I hope changes will be made because this issue is causing an immense amount of pain and suffering for victims and their families, including my own family. Moreover, the worst effect of all is that they leave the organization. Its very sad.
In closing, I send my best wishes and will miss your association.
Christian love,
Joe Anderson
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L. Rush Hunt
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Madisonville, Kentucky
August 23, 2002
Mr. Lee Stockwell
Draffenville Body of Elders
Draffenville Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
P.O. 778
Benton, KY 42025
Dear Mr. Stockwell:
I represent Bill Bowen who has been disfellowshipped from the DraffenvilIe Jehovah's Witness congregation. On behalf of Mr. Bowen I request a retraction of your comments to the Paducah Sun as published in the Friday, August 16, 2002 edition. You specifically said Bill's allegations of local child molestation were groundless and called Bill devious. As you know it was because of child molestation in your local congregation that Bill discovered the inadequate handling of child molestation by all Jehovah's Witness congregations.
It is one thing to question whether Bill's allegations of molestation in other congregations are accurate--a fact which you have no way of knowing the truth or falseness of----but to say an allegation of local child molestation is groundless is simply untrue. To defame Bill by calling him devious when he reports an incident that is in fact true is defamation of character. Bill can certainly name the man who was responsible and what he did. What Bill discovered came from church records which you have access to, unless they have been destroyed since Bill went public with this matter.
I suggest you first seek advice of legal counsel prior to responding to my letter. But after doing so I expect an appropriate retraction to be made by you on behalf of the church to both the Paducah Sun and to Mr. Bowen.
Sincerely,
L. Rush Hunt
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silentlambs
September 10, 2002
Branch Committee
Watchtower
The Ridgeway
Dear Brothers,
I wish to request a meeting with the Branch Committee on September 16, at 11 am to discuss Watchtower Policy on child abuse in the UK. I also would like to see how we might work together to assist the Governing Body in the USA to adjust policy for better protection of Jehovahs Witness children.
I realize this is short notice but I am traveling several thousand miles to be in your area and feel our meeting could be very productive.
Below as you will note are the added sentences that did not appear in the letter to all congregations in the USA dated May 24, 02. It has given many of our American brothers and sisters pause to see the difference between these two letters. The U. K. letter seems to go one step further than the counterpart. It states:
Our position is that the secular authorities deal with crime while elders deal with sin. To avoid a miscarriage of justice elders must not interfere with, prevent, or impede any secular investigation into child abuse. They must ensure that secular laws are adhered to. (Romans 13:1)
To that end they are instructed to contact the legal dept at whenever they receive information from even one person who alleges that child abuse has occurred. When a report is received guidance is given by the legal dept to ensure that:
1. The alleged victim and other potential victims are protected from possible abuse.
2. The council is given to report crime to the proper authorities and to comply with any additional legal requirements.
The elders know that it is the absolute right of the victim, his or her family or anyone else to report the matter to the authorities, if they so wish. (Galatians 6:5)
This difference gives credence to the following questions:
1. Why are U. K. brothers and sisters informed that all child abuse is reported to the authorities when in the USA they are not?
2. Why did the recent Panorama program in July, have several cases that indicated exactly the opposite occurred when U. K. Jehovahs Witness children were molested?
Page-2
3. Why has there been no acknowledgement or apology to the victims who were hurt by Watchtower Policy?
4. Why did various police officials acknowledge that Jehovahs Witnesses did not cooperate with them when child molestation was investigated in the U. K.?
Questions like these deserve an honest and Christian answer to help the public know where the truth lay. It also serves to help fellow Jehovahs Witnesses see that the local Branch has nothing to hide and is willing to do what is right by their children.
In good faith I look forward to our meeting. As the Governing Body stated in the letter to all congregations; The moral cleanness of the congregation continues to be of vital concern to the "faithful and discreet slave. (Matthew 24:45) This gives mehope we can find a productive basis to encourage the Governing Body to take the Christian course by placing the protection of our children as the highest priority in a religion that claims to be the only channel to God.
Thank you for your consideration and along with this letter goes my warm Christian love.
Very truly yours,
William H. Bowen
silentlambs
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September 19th 2002:
sl Transcript of UK Branch Conversation
Dang do I have a good memory or what....
silentlambs
My conversation with UK WT :
I walk up to the Main office booth at the front gate of UK IBSA . At the window there are two brothers in the booth.
Bill: Hello how are you doing? I was wondering if I might speak with John Andrews?
(The brothers in the booth look scared to death)
Booth: OK, thank you.
Behind me at the door entrance Mark Lee in a blue shirt and red tie comes forward.
Mark: Ah hello good morning, it is good to see you and you are Mr?
Bill: Bowen (at this point I put my hand out for a handshake, he hesitates for a few seconds, but with the pause finally touches a df person)
Mark: Hello Mr. Bowen
Bill: Bill Bowen
Mark: Right, did you receive our letter that we sent to you in ?
Bill: My wife read that to me last night.
Mark: Right, I think it explains that our press officer is away from the country at the moment. So you are very welcome to make an appointment and we would be happy to make an appointment to see you to discuss any concerns you may have. We would require you to make an appointment for that purpose with our press officer.
Bill: Well ah, the letter that I sent asked to meet about today that is the appointment that I requested.
Mark: Right and we did reply to that letter that you are welcome to access our website where our position is clearly made available. You are very welcome to make an appointment with our press officer he is out of the country at the moment but we dont have anybody in the form of Mr. Andrews available to see you today.
Bill: So you do not think John can meet with me today?
Mark: I afraid he is not in a position to, no.
Bill: Ok I understand that, and what is your name?
(he sports a deer in the headlights look)
Mark: Ahhhhhhhh, well, ah, (mumbles) My name is Mark, Mark Lee?
Bill: Mark Lee?
Mark: Thats right yes
Bill: OK, Im Bill Bowen, Ah as you may or may not know I have the organization silentlambs which is for Jehovah's Witness victims of abuse, and so what we try to do is reach out and assist people to turn in child molesters and also give those within the congregation the ability to be believed when they come forward with their allegations. I know its sometimes offensive to even think there is a problem with child molestation within the organization but I've talked or been contacted by over 5,000 victims who were molested as Jehovahs Witnesses. (Mark interrupts)
Mark: Right, if I could say to you I am really not in a position to discuss with you today any concerns you may have. I have no information regarding any specific cases that you might have in mind.
Bill: I understand.
Mark: I think what we might reiterate is that you are very welcome to make an appointment to see our press officer, we are happy to discuss any concerns you may have, I think you will agree that to do that by appointment is fair.
Bill: How would I go about making an appointment then.
Mark: Well, you are welcome to do that by telephone or in writing.
Bill: OK
(Mark looks to the both behind me and says)
Mark: If I could just have a copy of the letter I have there, on the side, there we go. So thats a copy of the letter. That we sent to you I think.
Bill: Ok very good. Well like I said that was in America. If I may I would like to deliver a letter.
Mark: OK, thats fine, we are happy to accept that no problem.
Bill: and also a lamb. (Mark looks surprised nervously says OK) Thats kind of like a symbol we are delivering to Kingdom Halls and Branches around the world.
Mark: OK
Bill: On September 27th, what that talks about (pointing at letter) is a silentlambs march in Brooklyn New York, and there will be brothers and sisters from around the country who will go there to basically say we have a problem, it needs to be addressed. So I thank you for your time and I appreciate your cordiality. (At this point I put out my hand again and get a quick handshake, poor Mark has touched a df person twice, he will wash his hand for a week)
Mark: Alright good day gentleman, thank you for delivering the statement we appreciate that OK?
Bill: Very good.
Mark: Enjoy your day. Bye bye.
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October 1st 2002:
This was read and given to all media at the march. The outrage is to great to express, who are these people?
silentlambs
Statement an silentlambs march
We respect a person's right to free expression. In fact, as Jehovah's Witnesses, we live by that principle every day of our lives. Our policy for handling child abuse is progressive, and strong, and it protects the congregation.
If an accusation of child molestation is made against a member of a congregation, the elders immediately work to assure the safety of the victim and of other children. Also, they make every effort to comply with the law. This includes complying with laws that mandate reporting the incident to the proper authorities. This is done even when a child is the only one to report the wrong conduct or when the elders received the allegation of molestation in confidence.
On rare occasions a member of a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses takes up or reverts to the disgusting habit of child molestation. Even if he gives extensive evidence of genuine repentance and has stopped his wrongdoing, the individual is severely censored by the congregation and is not protected from criminal investigation and/or prosecution. Even if today years have passed, he does not qualify for any responsibilities in the congregation. The individual is also directed that he should not be in any unsupervised company of children, including when he engages in any public witnessing. Additionally, elders of Jehovah's Witnesses are alerted to any past behavior of such an individual so as to protect the safety of any children in the congregation with whom he comes into contact. If the person moves to another congregation, the elders in the new congregation are notified; his record goes with him.
However we know that some who are marching here today have been victims of abase and their heartbreaking stories deeply sadden us. We view child molestation as a disgusting, abnormal and criminal practice. The congregation works to extend spiritual and practical support to victims of child abuse and focuses on their welfare.
Yet the congregation primarily addresses the spiritual side of the issue. We leave the criminal and civil aspects in the hands of the courts, In fact, for years now our published policy has been to tell people they have the right to report.
For example, the , Awake! provided the reminder: "Some legal experts advise reporting the abuse to the authorities as soon as possible. In some lands the legal system may require this," Also the policy document "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection," which was posted on the authorized Web site as well as being distributed to researchers, explains "The elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, we expect the elders to comply. Additionally, the victim may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so."
Earlier this year, among other details provided in the letter read to all congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in the was this paragraph:
"We have long instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even where there is only one witness. (Romans 13:1) In any case, the elders know that if the victim wishes to make a report, it is his or her absolute right to do so.--Galatians 6:5,"
Thus Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is the absolute right of the victim, his or her family, or any other concerned individuals to report the matter to the authorities. There are no congregation sanctions against anyone who reports an allegation of child abuse to the authorities. Our policy does not, however, dictate all of the specifics of the reporting. There are too many variables to stipulate anything beyond compliance with secular law.
Jehovah's Witnesses work to protect children and to prevent the problem of child molestation from contaminating the congregation. We uphold Bible principles and comply with secular law, Jehovah's Witnesses are convinced that the most effective defense against such terrible, damaging behavior is to teach and instill the Bible's high moral principles and values in responsive individuals in the communities in which they live and work.
The Awake was not fully quoted, there has been much comment on this and I find it disgusting they woudl use this as a quote. Why did they do it? It is the only location in WT literature where even a remote reference is made of reporting to police. Read the next sentence from that statement and see if they were really encouraging going to police.
silentlambs
*** g93 10/8 9 If Your Child Is Abused ***
IfYourChildIsAbused
TO STOP abuse, you must know it when you see it. In the numerous books on the subject, experts have listed dozens of telltale signs of abuse that parents can watch for. These include: complaints of pain while urinating or defecating, genital infections, abrasions or lesions in the genital area, the sudden onset of bed-wetting, appetite loss or other eating problems, precocious sexual behavior, a sudden fear of such places as school or parts of the house, periods of panic, an extreme fear of undressing, a fear of being alone with a familiar person, and self-mutilation.
However, be careful about jumping to conclusions. Most of these symptoms do not by themselves necessarily mean that a child has actually been sexually abused. Each could indicate some other problem. But if you see disturbing symptoms, gently broach the subject, perhaps with such a statement as: If anyone ever touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, I want you to know that you can always tell me, and Ill do all I can to protect you. Has anything like that ever happened to you?Proverbs 20:5.
If your child discloses sexual abuse, you will no doubt feel shattered. But remember: Your reaction will play a major role in the childs recovery. Your child has been carrying an unbearable burden and needs you, with all your adult strength, to lift it from her or his shoulders. Praise the child for being so brave as to tell you what happened. Repeatedly reassure the child that you will do your best to provide protection; that the abuse was the abusers fault, not the childs; that the child is not bad; that you love the child.
Some legal experts advise reporting the abuse to the authorities as soon as possible. In some lands the legal system may require this. But in other places the legal system may offer little hope of successful prosecution.
What, though, when the abuser is ones own beloved mate? Sad to say, many women fail to take decisive action. To be sure, it is never easy to face the ugly reality of a mate who is a child abuser. Emotional ties, and even financial dependency, can be overwhelmingly strong. The wronged wife may also realize that taking action could cost her husband his family, his job, his reputation. The hard truth is, though, that he may just be reaping what he has sown. (Galatians 6:7) Innocent children, on the other hand, stand to lose much more if they are not believed and protected. Their whole future is at stake. They do not have the resources that adults have. Trauma can scar and shape them adversely for life. They are the ones who need and deserve tender treatment.Compare Genesis 33:13, 14.
Parents must therefore make every reasonable effort to protect their children! Many responsible parents choose to seek out professional help for an abused child. Just as you would with a medical doctor, make sure that any such professional will respect your religious views. Help your child rebuild his or her shattered self-esteem through a steady outpouring of parental love.
[Footnotes]
In reality, the molester is already in trouble and badly needs help. Even if the perpetrator claims to be sorry, the wronged mate may consider: Why didnt he confess before being exposed by his victim?
For instance, when Jehovahs Witnesses are confronted with issues involving blood transfusion, they make sure that the doctor respects their religious beliefs.
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October 1st 2002:
silentlambs march September 27, 2002 Summary
On , 125 abuse survivors from 22 states delivered hundreds of stuffed lambs for victims around the world as a symbol of innocence lost. The march started at and and proceeded down to Jehovahs Witness Home office at 25 at the front entrance. We had the t-shirts at the park and were setting up when the park officer asked if we had a permit to be in the park. We had to say no and it was moved to the Promenade which was much nicer anyway. The park officer said they would be glad to store any extra materials we had on the march till we returned. We supplied them with silentlambs t-shirts when we returned. The hurricane that hit the gulf was supposed to be coming over New York that day. Rain was predicted at 90% and it looked like we were going to be drenched. I had bought forty ponchos just in case. I am sure six million Jehovahs Witnesses were praying for rain to see us get washed away, but it appears our prayers were answered instead. It did not rain one drop through the entire march. Do you think that our experience will be in the next Watchtower? We passed out silentlambs t-shirts to everyone there and then the press showed up just as we were getting ready to go. There was two newspapers, three television crews, and one very well known radio DJ on abuse in the area. While this was good I am sure it could have been better, but we were happy just the same. The march was for those who were there to march more than anything else. As we started off the police decided to have us march on the sidewalk instead. I think it was better as we stretched out for over a block and made it look even bigger. As a side note we were in at . I found it interesting to see bethelites patrolling all over in twos. Now they were supposed to be working why were they walking around the Heights? They had patrols on every block and when they saw our t-shirts would follow and switch off. Boy, were they sneaky, it was like trying to hid two Mormons walking around , it was a little obvious.
When the police arrived they were very kind and helpful. Asked to see the permit and we were ready to go. A few locals from the Heights stopped by and asked to join us, I found that interesting. Some walked up and asked what it was about and were appalled to find out what Watchtower was doing to children as the survivors testified. Most were aware due to news coverage that there was a problem. As the march started certain ones started marching chants and everyone joined in, they were as follows:
One, two, three, four,
Silentlambs No More!
No More Pedophiles at My Door!
I Dont Know What Youve Been Told, But Silentlambs Are Mighty Bold!,
Listen to the Lambs Roar!
It was quite loud and I am sure we woke up the neighborhood along the way. People were looking out their windows and stopping on the street to see what this was about. Then we got to 107 and 124, it really got loud there. I am sure all the home boys and house keepers knew when we walked by. As I got closer I realized I had forgotten how loud it was with the BQE going in front of the 25 building. I was so happy Jeannie suggested we get a bull horn, it really came in handy to speak to the crowd. When we arrived there were a few more chants to wake them up. Several noted different ones peeking out the windows and hiding trying to look. It was a surreal scene, 125 abuse survivors all smiling and laughing coming together to support one another. It is true there were those angry but more importantly everyone felt they were being support and cared about, something few get from Watchtower when it comes to abuse. When we arrived they were chanting,J. R. Brown Must Go Down!! Silent Lambs No More!! "Theyre looking out the window, when we looked back or waved they would hide
I started the program off with the following script:
Opening Statement:
Bill Bowen: Today is a wake up call to the men and women who work behind these walls. For twenty one months we have been saying something is wrong and children need to be protected. For twenty one months they have been saying nothing is wrong and you do not exist. Today we are here to say we exist, your policy hurts children. Acknowledge the problem and apologize to those who have been hurt by Watchtower Policy. This march is about a cause for protecting children, it is about exposing the protection of child rapists, it is about a religion crushing a movement that has as its only goal and purpose to support and encourage healing to Jehovahs Witness victims of abuse.
As the Governing Body appoints judicial committees in an attempt to beat their brothers (Matt 24:39) into silence, the entire issue is really about the victims. They will not be beaten into silence they will no longer allow witness tampering by church tribunals to stop them from speaking out, today is your day the silent lambs are silent no more. Today the lambs are roaring and will continue to do so until Jehovahs Witnesses stop their policy of shielding child rapists and preventing their members from be protected by keeping secret databases of child molesters hidden in building like this.
It is the Governing Body that will be silenced, it is their henchmen that will be dragged down these steps and through the doors of the American justice system in the form of billions of dollars of litigation for those injured because they did not take decisive action for children.
What comes to your mind when you define what a hero is? A hero is not the biggest person, the strongest, or the best looking. A hero is a person with the courage to take action in the face of overwhelming odds to assist someone in need. What better way to describe those who have ta a stand with silentlambs in the interest of protecting children. When you came forward about your abuse, you were called a liar, when you tried to warn others you were silenced, when you tried to get justice in the courts you were stabbed in the back by your brothers and sisters. Yet today we are honored to be in the presence of real heroes, people with enough courage to sacrifice everything in the interests of protecting children. Watchtower punished you for doing so, today silentlambs wishes to introduce a new program to award heroes who stand up for children. It is called the silentlambs courage award. Your names will appear on the silentlambs website as the heroes who in spite of the odds had the honor and integrity to do what was right. We will continue to award those this honor as decided by the silentlambs board of directors on a quarterly basis. Today we have the first twelve courage awards to deliver on the front steps of those who punished you for doing what was right. We are proud to recognize heroes and set the example for Jehovahs Witnesses to see how they should treat those who stand up for children.
(applause)
The first recipient is one of the first persons to step up to the media and reveal the terrible abuse she suffered as a child. Her effort opened the way for the many other abuse survivors to speak out and finally be heard. She did an extensive interview for Dateline but it was all left on the cutting room floor. Today I am happy and very honored to name Cory Pandelo as the first recipient of the silentlambs courage award.
(applause)
All: Corie!! Corie!! Corie!!!
Corie accepts her award and gets a hug, she is a bit overwhelmed to say anything, but says a thank you to all present. She gets a nice round of applause.
Bill Bowen: The next person I would like to announce, went to the national media, spoke out, and when she came forward about her abuse, she was told that she would be disfellowshipped. She then went to the police, and reported her molester. When she went to court to testify about the horrible abuse she suffered from age four to thirteen her fellow Jehovahs Witnesses sat on the molesters side of the courtroom, and protected him and even sent her a death threats, for standing up and reporting a child molester. Today we are very honored to present Erica Garza as the next recipient of the silentlambs courage Award.
All: Erica!! Erica!! Erica!!
Erica goes up and says a few words about standing up for what is right and gets a hugs along with nice applause.
Bill Bowen: The next recipient of the Silentlambs Courage Award was not able to be here today. She was in court for the last two weeks testifying about the Watchtower policy that literally destroyed her life. As she was in court for the last two weeks, the Watchtower hierarchy sought to get close to one hundred Jehovahs Witnesses called from several congregation in to sit on their side of the courtroom in opposition to her. Yet she stepped forward and she testified. That court case has yet to be decided as of today, in , where this trial took place. And so Im very honored, in abstentia to present Victoria Boer with the next silentlambs courage Award.
All: !! !!
Another nice round of applause for Vicky.
Bill Bowen: The next person was also featured on Dateline and it was discussed about the molester that she knew who molested 17 little girls. He remains a Jehovahs Witness in good standing as he resides in a prison penal facility. Yet when she tried to warn other members of her congregation about what happened, the elders disfellowshiped her for trying to protect the children. So Im very honored to present Laurie Fitzwater with the fourth silentlambs courage Award.
All: Laurie!! Laurie!! Laurie!!!
Laurie was quite surprised and came forward to say: My father in law raped seventeen children according to a letter from the circuit overseer. When he gets out of prison he will go back to the congregation in good standing because hes continues to deny the charges. When I tried to tell others in the congregation the elders came after me, they said I had a bad attitude and that I was a danger to the congregation. I was disfellowshipping for trying to protect their children.
Bill Bowen: Not all people who receive the Courage Award are necessarily victims of abuse, but they step up and stand up for them. The person that is next in line, sat on the other side of that courtroom with Erica as the Witnesses gave them dirty looks and ill treatment, but she was a friend who stood by Erica. She came back to the courtroom when this man had to be reconvicted and she testified in Ericas behalf and told about the extent of the abuse and how it had affected her life. So for her courage in coming forward, for protecting and helping a victim of abuse, Im happy to award Sherry Galvez as the next recipient of the silentlambs courage Award.
Sherry: I was molested as a child along with my brothers who cant be here today, and I hold lambs for them. This is an evil, wicked policy that can ruin lives it continues to damage untold thousands who live in denial. Today the lamb Roar!!
All: Nice applause Sherry!! Sherry!! Sherry!!
Bill Bowen: Watchtowerintimidates those who suffer abuse. The next recipient was afraid when she spoke to me to use her own telephone for fear of what the organization would to do to her. Now that she has been involved with the progress of the silentlambs organization over two years I have seen her growth both personal and spiritual. She is a person who has courageously stepped up and not only spoken out in court for victims of abuse but also spoken about her own abuse and has went fearlessly to the media recently and contacted them She did an excellent job of articulating how Watchtower policy hurts so many and the need to protect the children. The next person to receive this award is Pat Garza.
Pat is overwhelmed with emotion and gets a long hug, she says a few words of appreciation. There is nice applause.
Bill Bowen: The next silentlambs courage Award to goes to two parents that stood beside their daughter and enabled her to be strong to stand up. They supported her when she went to the media to be interviewed about these things. They have fearlessly stood up for what was right and for their bravery they were disfellowshipped. The next recipient of the silentlambs courage Award is Carl and Barbara Pandello.
They are greeted by a nice round of applause and then Barbara talks first.
Barbara Pandelo: We were told that we were the only ones, that if we say anything that we would be bringing reproach on Jehovahs name. To find out that there was just so many people like us, its so encouraging and being here for the other children is an honor. Thank you its all an honor for me to be here.
Carl Pandelo: Being raised by Jehovahs Witnesses, probably one of the most horrifying things is to be disfellowshipped, but in fact its an honor to be disfellowshipped for being apostates and to stand and know what is wrong and knowing whats right, Im really proud to be, me and my wife, are disfellowshipped for speaking out, we have no fear of them. Thank you.
(There is another nice round of applause)
Bill Bowen: The next person I would like to present the silentlambs courage Award to is a person who was abused herself. When trying to reach out for justice in helping her daughter she to was threatened with disfellowshipping for trying to warn the congregation about the man who molested her daughter. When they went to the elders, they were told to be silent, threatened with disfellowshipping, and by her being here today, the elders may still try to disfellowship her. She helped many of you to be here today. She is the director for the local chapter of silentlambs, her name is Jeanne Kraus.
Jeannie Krause: My daughter was molested by my husband, when I went to the elders they said it was a misunderstanding because we did not have two eye witnesses. The elders ordered me and my daughter into silence and refused to allow us to warn others in the congregation. I am happy to be able to speak out now and appreciate this award.
Bill Bowen: Next award goes to another married couple who stood up on abuse issues and were terribly sanctioned as a result. When the wife went on Dateline and told the truth about cover-ups she was faced with judicial committees, when the husband simply resigned as an elder after 43 years to protest abuse, he was disfellowshipped within two weeks. For their courageous effort in standing for what is right I am honored to present Joe and Barbara Anderson with the silentlambs courage Award.
Joe Anderson: If I take this (referring to award) over to that building (pointing to 25 building) do you thing they would make me a Witness again? I doubt that and I would not accept it if they did. The policy has harmed thousands of children and they want to act like nothing is wrong, they know it is wrong and they willfully put children in danger. They should be afraid of what the Creator thinks and who will hold them accountable for their actions.
Barbara Anderson: I worked for ten years right here in this building behind us, for three years I was in the Writing Department, two of those years, I knew of the extent of the abuse. For the last ten years I have been trying to find a way to get the word out and protect the children. Children of Jehovahs Witnesses are not safe and its just wonderful to see you here today united and taking a stand for what is right. It is shameful to force Jehovahs Witnesses and their children into danger for the way they use old bible edicts of having two witnesses to each molestation We love our children, yes, we love our children more than we love the Watchtower Society.
(nice round of applause)
Bill Bowen: The last recipient of the Silentlambs Courage Award goes to someone I know very well. When I first came out on this issue of abuse, this person was told, that all they had to do was just leave me, and they would be protected and taken care of along with my children. She turned them down flat and as a result has suffered the ridicule that follows those who stand up for children in this organization. So the next recipient of the silentlambs courage Award is Sheila Bowen.
All: (applause) Sheila!! Sheila!! Sheila!!
Bill Bowen: I think this illustrates to everyone that silent lambs come from all walks of life, and abuse victims know that they support them and stand behind them with the courage to say dont be silent and let them know that they can speak out. For you to be here at this march, for your efforts to present this to the media, for just wearing the silentlambs t-shirt, it may appear to just be small things, yet those small things will multiply and multiply and multiply until Watchtower is forced to see the reality and change their policies. Thank you for all your efforts and we appreciate your courage and how you have helped so many to no longer be silent lambs. If you wish to nominate someone for a courage award, please email or write silentlambs to do so.
Bill Bowen: We have some kind supporters from the area who represent several groups who support abuse survivors. Would you like to welcome them here today? The first person Id like to ask to speak is Tina Alfono, Tina my memory is not good youll have to tell them the name of your group. First Id like to have Tina come up, and then well hear from David Carillo from SNAP, and then third from Van Dugo, from Child Protection Advocates.
(applause)
Tina Alfano: Thank you all for coming here today. I know for some of you, it was really hard whether to come or not today. So for your strength and your courage we support you and are happy to see you here. My name is Tina Alfano, and Im the president and founder of Keep-Our-Children-Safe.com. I came here today in support of all the silent lambs. Today, you are SILENT NO MORE! Every child matters. We will stand strong and firm against child abuse and molestation. We will be united in our plight and we will prevail.
Children have rights. Children should have better laws to protect them. The wilderness has more laws to protect animals than we have laws to protect our children. Somehow, somewhere, we have failed to protect our children. But we can and must make a change to right this wrong. Where are our legislators? Where are our Congressmen and our Senators? Today you may ask, when will this all end? We must bring accountability to every individual who abuses our children no matter WHO THEY ARE!
And to Watchtower: You have the power to change your policies. The power to change the lives of thousands of your children. I know you WILL do your best to change because it is Gods will. And God has gathered us all here today, to rally for change, to say No More dead children, no more abused children, NO MORE SILENT CHILDREN!
Thank you all again for coming to this history making March. Together we have already made a difference. God bless all of you here today and may today be the start of a better life for you and your children.
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Next we would like to hear from David Cerulli of SNAP Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
(applause)
David Cerulli: Thank you for inviting me. Im a survivor. As a boy of 14, I was repeatedly raped and sodomized by a priest at a church in . I was incapable of fighting the power of the priest and the church at age 14. Thanks to the help of my family and wonderful people along the way, and most recently SNAP, I can say I am a survivor.
Many other victims are not so lucky. They try to numb the pain with alcohol and drugs and suicide. This tragedy continues today. SNAP exists to help victims become survivors. We dont want to lose any more victims along the way. We have monthly support group meetings and this Sunday were having a rally outside of Saint Patricks Cathedral from nine in the morning until one. Youre all invited. I hope you can make it. Id like to thank you for inviting me, for allowing me to speak today, I think youre doing a wonderful job, keep up the good work!
(applause)
Bill Bowen: We appreciate the extra effort David put forth to be here, he took off work to be with us today, and hes here to support us as abuse survivors. Were very appreciative of him making this trip. Thank you, David!
(applause)
The next person Id like to let speak is Dan Dugo of Child Protection Advocates.
(applause)
Dan Dugo: I think its touching and nice to see everybody come here together from different congregations, from different religions, even no religions, just to stand here and give support to the cause. I tend to think that people need to speak a little more about the bigger picture, like the politics behind things, thats something Id like to touch on. I feel that the issue of clergy members who abuse children sexually is an issue of child safety and not a religious issue, which these people hide behind.
All religious leaders as well as politicians have a moral and civil obligation to take children under their watch. While our country is in the middle of a crisis of children that are being molested and raped by clergy members as well as other members of society, Senator Bruno of the majority leader stated publicly that the clergy mandated reporting bill is not a priority right now. As for our top guy, Governor Pataki, its nice to watch him stand on platforms and receive awards, but what is he really doing to protect children? Its time for him to put politics aside and do his job. If Pataki wanted a bill on his desk that would make clergy mandatory reporting, or for the statute of limitations to be extended, he would have that bill on his desk within the week. But because of his bid for re-election, the welfare, safety and health of defenseless children have been put on the back burner. God forbid he should pass a law that should upset some Catholics or some Catholic group that he might lose some votes from.
Politicians are sacrificing the children for the sake of votes. We wont tolerate this and Im asking society as well to put their foot down and say no, they wont tolerate it either. I dont know much about politics, but Im being forced to learn very quickly, and what I see so far is disgusting. I also feel that the federal and state agencies should investigate all religious organizations who engaged in covering up and obstructing justice.
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thank you Dan, Tina, and David for being with us here today. (applause) Next, we have an attorney here with us her name is Kimberly Norris from area. And she has an announcement she would like to make to you here today.
Kim Norris: Hey, Im Kim Norris from ! I hold in my hand the first of countless lawsuits to be brought in the fifty states filed by my firm and lawyers affiliated with us to be filed in today on behalf of a Jehovahs Witness Congregation victim/survivor asking for compensation in the amount of three million dollars. This is one of many, check our website, well update as we go. LETS GO GET THEM!
(applause)
Bill Bowen: This is the last part of the program, and at this point, different abuse survivors said that they would like to say a few words. I ask you to keep it brief because we have a kind of a large group and were taking the valuable time of these police officers here. So if any of you would like to come forward, remember to hold the megaphone close and youre welcome to say a few words.
The first is Barbara Carr from . Brenda, Im sorry.
Brenda Carr: Im not a victim myself, but on behalf of a victim from , who could not be here today, and whose family has been destroyed by the protection of pedophiles by the Watchtower congregation. She asked me to read a poem she wrote its entitled, I am a voice from the past
I am a voice from the past, abandoned, rejected and outcast.
A child of twelve, and all alone, abused and treated like a criminal.
Shamed and silenced by those I trusted, I die alone, depressed and deserted.
I am a voice from the past, abandoned, rejected and outcast
A child of five abused by brothers, no one to hear my cries, alone and scared,
My life a mess, drugs and alcohol, to deal with the stress.
I am a voice from the past, abandoned, rejected and outcast
Abused as child, again as wife, no compassion from you I found.
Abusers you keep within your walls, but you never hear the ** call.
I am a voice of the future, of all those you call sinners,
Hear me declare, for all to hear, ** you were.
Hear from the innocents, God says, so do it!"
Signed Lee Marsh
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thanks you Brenda, next, I would like to ask Dorian Baker to come up and read a piece that was written by an abuse survivor that couldnt be here, and she asked her to share this today.
(applause)
Dorian: Id like to begin by stating that I am honored to be in the company I am in, although I could not be there physically. Many of you know me as a lamb. I am a victim of sexual abuse by two elders, one being my father. One is an admitted child molester, having admitted to his actions both in court and at judicial meetings. No actions were taken by the elders involved, and he is still actively involved in a congregation and baby-sits for sisters on their studies. He is also regularly in contact with my own children against a court order the same court order that I am respecting by not attending today.
If someone had done this thirty years ago, this lamb would not exist. How many lambs will there be next time? What price for the children to pay? What is enough? ONE is too many! To those who support the faulty policies of this organization: you can silence the cries of the innocents and the believers, but you will never silence us, the survivors. We are not going away! We will not disappear! We only ask that you do not add to our ranks. You can cripple our spirit and trample our innocence, but you cannot put out the fire that has been started. Truth and right will win. You can view us as dead and shun us, but you cannot kill our spirit, it is FREE!
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thank you very much, would someone else like to come forward and speak?
This is Mike Pence from .
Mike Pence: Thank you very much. I would like first of all to thank the 16 and some odd individuals on the internet most of whom I have never known and will never know and who funded our trip here to be with all of you today. So a thank you to all of them.
When I first started to write, after 9/11 I decided I wanted to be a writer and when I first started to write I realized I had to write about what was going on with Bill Bowen and silentlambs. And in the course of researching some articles it came forward that my own children had been abused. They had the courage to come forward and so I would like to salute them for their courage. My new lawyer has authorized me to say that the presiding overseer of the Orland Pennsylvania congregation is the man who our children alleged abused them, and we will not rest until this individual is brought to justice.
Finally, Id like to thank this man for the courage to step forward and to make the sacrifices in his personal life that I know hes had to make because that kept him tied up on the phone for enough hours and Im sure some of other people have too. So thanks to Bill and to his family for the sacrifices theyve made and thank you to, all of you for supporting victims of abuse like my children.
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thanks you Mike, next we hear from Barbara Lees from .
Barbara Lees: Im so proud to be here with all of you, I just want to make it very clear that when a congregation body of elders decides theyre above the law theyre hurting so many people by just sending a pedophile out into the world and not warning authorities, not warning the congregation, not warning families in the congregation. We would love to be able to have the chance to make the decision whether we want our children around a pedophile and to threaten to discipline us because we wont go door to door with them. Its really important that they realize that they need to report this to the authorities.
I know of a situation where the elders decided they could not handle a particular pedophile they removed him, let him out, he became a little league coach, admitted to multiple victims, went to prison, got out, went to another Kingdom Hall, got caught again, it was covered up and to this day remains a Jehovahs Witness in good standing. This has got to stop, they people must take responsibility and protect our children.
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thank you Barbara and now heres Charles Riley from .
Charles Riley: I just wanted to say that Im here in support of everyone here and I also wanted to say that Im also here in support of my niece in because in 1984 she was molested on three different occasions by one of our brothers in the congregation in Tujunga . And when my sister went to the elders to get it straightened out, they refused to do anything about it, she sent a letter to the Governing Body, and they wrote her back saying that they were not going to get involved. And this brother this so-called brother.went to another congregation and molested two other young ladies.
Im here in support of her, and I also wanted to say: I was an elder for seven years. And I know for a fact that they instructed elders NOT to go to the police when it comes to child molesting. And I also wanted to mention that of all the Governing Body members of the Watchtower appointed, one of the main culprits is Theodore Jaracz. He is the main culprit; he has to pay. And we are not gonna stop until justice is done for all of our children and for all of us that have been abused by this organization.
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thank you Charles for your comments, next is Debra.
Debra: It is a thrill to be here today. The elder uncle that molested me when I was 14 years old was in at the time, I normally live in . He traveled on to where he was disfellowshipped for molesting many young girls. He had many flagrant affairs. I was warned that if I said anything my dear precious aunt would be dead. Less than a year later she did mysteriously die after her six year old son also mysteriously hung himself in . Steve is now one of the anointed remnant of Jehovahs Witnesses.
(applause)
Bill Bowen: Thank you Debra and now we will hear from Pat Garza.
Pat Garza: I'm Pat Garza, and I'm here to say that I was raped by Theodore Jaracz when I was a little girl, in the city of , he was the District Overseer at the time. There are two boys; their initials are "M.D." and "M.W.", if they could be found they could confirm my allegations- if I could find them theyre older than me, they were there, there were witnesses! We were terrified and silenced! We were not allowed to talk. My life was threatened and my brothers were threatened, they were going to be killed if I spoke.
And when I started remembering the abuse I was abused horrifically in the congregation and I wrote the Watchtower Society and I begged for help, I have the letters with me to show you the names of ten of the elders who hurt me and they told me they could not answer any of the questions I asked, nor could they comment on the circumstances that I described in the congregation.
I ended up in the hospital, in crisis in the emergency ward because of what the elders did to me. And then I was hospitalized for months, because I had nowhere to go, I was homeless. They threw me out in the street, I was destitute and I was disabled, I was unable to work because of the flashbacks I was having. And I ended up on the street, and I have with me a photocopy of the letter that the elders, the entire body of elders sent me, it has all of their names on it. It says that they called the Watchtower Society here in , and asked how to help me and they sent me a list of homeless shelters and I have that list of homeless shelters, one of them was Parkside Projects on skid row in . Two of them were churches in and the other was the YWCA. The humiliation that I felt was beyond belief. I almost died when I got that letter from those elders, and I almost stopped praying.
The Watchtower Society has stood as a block between children and your God. All they do is destroy a person's faith, take away their self esteem and make them feel like God does not love us. And I'm here to say that He does, and I'm saying for those of us who are victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse in this organization it is time to fight these elders and fight Ted Jaracz.
It's safe to come out now and you can come and talk and I'm begging anyone who knows "M.D" and "M.W." - I would say their names but for privacy I won't reveal them, but silentlambs knows the full identity of "M.D." and "M.W." who were there - would you please call silentlambs at 1-877-WTABUSE Please step forward and be my witnesses.
Theyre bringing pedophiles into this organization, they're ruining children for sex and that's what they were doing with me, the boys were there to prepare me for sex with Ted Jaracz! They were there to keep me, to make me, disassociate so that I could not remember him.
Bill Bowen: Thank you Pat for coming forward, thank all of you for speaking out and supporting abuse survivors. I would not like to attempt to deliver the lambs to Watchtower.
(Bowen walks across the street and checks the gates, all are dead bolted. He then goes to the intercom and asks to speak with a representative about his meeting with the Governing Body. They turn the intercom off and do not answer. At this point a Watchtower Rep comes out with some of the media. Bowen speaks to him and is ignored, Bowen asks, Will you accept this lamb as a gift from abuse survivors? The WT rep turns to go in and Bowen pitches the lamb and it hits him in the head as he walks away. Bowen turns to the group and says, They ignore us today just as they ignore the cry of all abuse survivors within the organization.)
ALL: Let him in! Let him in! Let him in! What are you afraid of! What are you afraid of! What are you afraid of?
Bill Bowen: Everybody get back to the other side of the street, come back over. Come back on this side.
(Headquarters refused to accept delivery and denied abuse survivors the right to do so when Headquarters summoned the police to charge anyone who left lambs at the front door with littering. Participants left hundreds of lambs stuck in a chain link fence across the street from the front door much like mementos left at ground zero from the 9-11 disaster.)
We thank you for your sacrifice and kind support in making the effort to be here. In Ezekiel there is an interesting scripture regarding the shepherds of ancient times it states, The siced ones you have not strengthened, and the ailing one you have not healed, and the bro one you have not bandaged, and the dispersed one you have not brought back, and the lost one you have not sought to find, but with harshness you have had them in subjection, even with tyranny. The Governing Body must wake up and realize as God did not tolerate tyrants in bible times he will not tolerate tyrants today. So while we wait on Jehovah we follow the course of Ezekiel and speak out to protect the lowly ones.
Thank you for being brave, thank you for standing foighteousness, thank you for proving you are no longer silent lambs.
I invite all in attendance to attend a meal at a nearby restaurant,
We thank you for your sacrifice and kind support in making the effort to be here.
Were going to have a meal at a restaurant thats right nearby within walking distance. And I invite all of you to come that would like to attend. So with this we will conclude, well let these nice police officers get on their way. We appreciate their kind effort in protecting us here today. So lets all move in that direction, and Jeanne Krause is going to show us where its at.
ALL: Thank you NYPD!
Bill Bowen: This now concludes the silentlambs march.
Afterward at we met at a local restaurant, there was around 70 who were able to make it. It was kind of like when a big group of JWs meet after an assembly, except better. All were laughing and having up building conversations about how rotten Watchtower acted today. There were many hugs and congratulations offered to the great sacrifice so many had to make to be there. We talked and visited for about two hours, the manager was very kind and totally supportive of what we were there for. When we left I gave silentlambs t-shirts to all the waiters at their request. It was an empowering day, it was a day we took the power that was robbed by Watchtower Policy. I believe everyone who participated will remember this day for the rest of their lives as a turning point for the better. Watchtower made asses of themselves they treated abuse survivors with disdain in front of the media and the rest of the world. Where was the compassion? Where was the humility? Where was the apology? Where was one iota of kindness? The very qualities that are held up for all members to follow were ignored in front of the children they have damaged by their policies. Was this wickedness or weakness?
Silentlambs was able to assist 12 abuse survivors to be there due to the kind support of persons who donated toward their travel expenses. The expenses came to around $5,000 for the march and would not have been possible without the kind support of so many. I remember a $5 donation from one abuse survivor, it was all she could do and it reminded me of the illustration of the widows mite. She gave all she could and her gift was part of the collective that made this all possible. The appreciation of those there made it worth every penny.
It was a good day and it is the hope of all silent lambs that it will be the beginning of many more as we support those who suffer and stand up to those who bully the weak.
silentlambs
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10-4-02
Service Committee
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dear Brothers,
On June 6, 2002 you were sent a formal request to establish a judicial hearing in order to hear serious allegations against the Governing Body. The basis for doing so was a letter submitted by JR Brown to Dateline regarding the willingness of the Governing Body to resolve differences following theocratic procedures with the brothers and sisters who appeared on the program. While this request was made in good faith and it is interesting to note immediately you brothers at the direction of the Governing Body mobilized judicial committees to disfellowship those who were bearing witness to the harm WT Policy on child abuse has caused. At my appeal hearing the only proof submitted of charges against me was the letter written to you to request a judicial hearing for the Governing Body. What authorization does a committee have to disfellowship a brother with eye witnesses to wrongdoing committed by another? Why have you chosen to not respond to any letters written addressing these charges? Is this due to weakness or wickedness?
On September 27 I arrived at 25 Columbia Heights and at great expense we arranged for 125 eye witnesses to be there to provide substance to the allegations that the Governing Body is guilty of apostasy, loose conduct, and causing divisions within the organization of Jehovahs Witnesses. Your cowardly response was to ignore your brothers and sisters, lock the front gates and refuse to speak to any of those who came to bear witness. Was this due to weakness or wickedness?
With the current the allegation that Theodore Jaracz is a child molester, this now brings to five the number of Governing Body members who are alleged child molesters. Your inaction to these allegations along with the lack of compassion offered to abuse survivors within the organization have given many brothers and sisters great cause for concern. The lack of one word of apology argues this conclusion further. Is there not one spiritual man left who works at Bethel?
Therefore with the above matters being taken into consideration, it has been requested that I notify you of the following.
1. The Governing Body made up of the following eleven members;John E. Barr, 90, Carey W. Barber 98, Theodore Jaracz, 78, Gerritt Losch, 61, Milton Henschel, 83, Albert Schroeder, 92, Daniel Sydlik, 84, Samuel Herd, David Splane, Steve Lett, Guy Pierce, is summoned to appear at a judicial hearing at the Holiday Inn Express in Draffenville, Kentucky on October 27, 2002 at 2 P.M.
2. It has been alleged that you have been committed apostasy, loose conduct, and causing divisions by eye witnesses who are Jehovahs Witnesses in good standing.
3. The committee authorizes the Governing Body to notify William H. Bowen of your compliance with theocratic order within ten days of the receipt of this letter.
The committee wishes to invite any elder currently serving who would like to assist on this judicial hearing to contact William H. Bowen to confirm your attendance.
This letter makes the fifth attempt in offering counsel to properly address the problem of child protection in the organization. This counsel dates to December of the year 2000 with the actions of the Governing Body authorizing the minimizing of the wrong, ignoring the cry of abuse survivors and disfellowshipping those who try and support them. Once again the question that begs to be answered, is this due to weakness or wickedness? We humbly wait for the judicial committee to make that determination on October 27th.
May we suggest that the Governing Body sincerely consider their actions to date turn around and manifest works of repentance. Their eternal life is in the balance as the judicial committee endeavors to determine the decision already made in heaven. Beg Jehovah for his spirit to allow the Governing Body to humbly submit to His will, set the example for all brothers and sisters by showing their submission to theocratic arrangement.
Very Truly Yours,
silentlambs
