I know that every congregation is different. I know that some elders are bigger power freakers than others but I cannot imagine how an elder could ignore a report of child sexual molestation. But then maybe my experience with elders has been different from the norm. All the elders in my congregation, other than one, showed a genuine love and desire to serve the flock in an manner perscribed in the bible.
I do not know of a single accusation of child molestation that wasn't taken seriously by the elders in my former congregation. I know that I was not a memeber of the disciplinary committees or held any kind of position of authority within the congregation due to being female. However, I do know, because people talk, that when cases like this arose, the elders jumped on it. They investigated and disfellowshipped those involved-- up to and including members of the annointed class.
In my former cong, it was discovered, after the chldren molested became adults, that for years a member of the remnant had been molesting children in his own family. He of course denied it but the former victims prevailed. He is still disfellowshipped and of course unrepentant of his actions.
I thank God that as a a child, I listened to my gut feeling that there was something wrong with this guy. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what made him so special as to be a member of the heavenly class and why members where always kissing his ass.
I have been away for a while but can anybody tell me if this "brother" is still considered to be a member of the annointed? I seem to recall that at one time it was believed that a member of the heavenly class would always be a member no matter what they did. Has there been any "new light" on the matter?
My heart goes out to the victims. Not only because of the horrible things that happened to you but because when you sought help from your spiritual fathers (elders)of the congregation, they failed you so miserably. I applaude you for finding the courage to come forth and force change. The future generation will be safer because of you.
Robdar