tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post2451083868837625824..comments2024-03-27T11:13:34.520-05:00Comments on The Dunamis Word: What The Church Should Learn From The Penn State Sexual Abuse ScandalUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-83011488903236670742011-11-10T21:08:48.929-06:002011-11-10T21:08:48.929-06:00My commentary sent to ESPN regarding this issue:
...My commentary sent to ESPN regarding this issue:<br /><br />Concerning Joe Paterno and Penn State University, I would like to say that as an advocate for victims of clergy sexual abuse and misconduct, my heart has been overwhelmed with grief this week over these events. I look at the young people who were victimized and the individuals who have been caught in the wake of sins that went without rebuke or correction. However, what I find also disturbing is the confusion and rush to exact "justice" in this case. My concern centers around this: Mr. Sandusky retired and negotiated a retirement agreement in 1999 with PSU. At that time he was already under investigation for sexual molestation or abuse stemming from involvement with the children of the Second Mile. It seems that some of this was known to PSU officials with whom he was negotiating. Instead of PSU demanding a strict end to their relationship with Sandusky, they enabled him by granting him keys and unfettered access to the facilities. From what I understand, NONE of the current personel including Coach Paterno were privy to any of this information...What am I saying? I am saying that if ANYONE broke either the law or displayed bad moral judgement, it begins and ends with the team, group, or individual who negotiated a retirement agreement with a pederist. The fallout of destruction and subsequent demolition of lives including those of the victims, DOES NOT rest on Coach Paterno, nor does it rest on Mike McQueary. I believe it rests squarely upon the decision makers who allowed a suspected criminal, under investigation to continue to have unfettered access to the university and children right under their nose. THEY are the guilty party. Only problem...who are they? Are they the Trustee Board of PSU? Are they human resources? Who are they? Rather than allow this tragedy to have victory over all in it's path, I say that PSU refrain by first reinstating Joe Paterno and retireing him appropriately and with honor. He was NOT the one who granted access to this man. In fact this university placed both Mr. Paterno and his players in harms way knowingly for years without so much as a warning. They set a BOMB on campus and expected it not to blow up. SHAME ON THEM!!!Whoever "they" are, they are the guilty party and the ones who are responsible for following the laws set in place to keep pederists away from children. It is too bad that PSU feels their only recourse is to punish honest men and ulltimately speak after the fact that they have concern for victims that they KNEW existed before the 2002 incident. Yes, I am a strong advocate for victims rights, and they will have their day to confront their abuser, Thank God. However ALL of us, including teh good men on campus who dealt with a situation for which they should have had much greater support, direction and insight have been destroyed as a result of "business as usual" type decision making. Let not this evil destroy everyone in its wake. In doing so it will fulfill its purpose. Let us have the unity and boldness to stand with those who have acted as best they could givine the circumstance they were given to work with. Let us focus on bringing thsis pedophile to justice, and most of all healing and helping our fellow citizens and young people who have been destroyed as a result. We need no more sacramental lambs. We need forthright thinking and all of these young people and students of PSU need our support. I stand ready in whatever capacity, but for now I deliver my support in earnest prayer for the healing and blessing of all who have been caught in this disaster. Thank you.<br /><br />Pastor Harvey BurnettDistrict Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-82055500553859180172011-11-10T18:17:51.031-06:002011-11-10T18:17:51.031-06:00Now, Sandusky was only on campus because of his ne...Now, Sandusky was only on campus because of his negotiated University agreement...NOT because Joe Pa had him there...He had access to almost everything and keys to the gym, sports center and all. So since we're firing people, let's begin by firing those who negotiated his retirement agreement!District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-74124993011129766542011-11-10T09:41:42.430-06:002011-11-10T09:41:42.430-06:00This whole thing is disturbing on many levels, but...This whole thing is disturbing on many levels, but one question I have that is arising...<br /><br />It seems that it could be the case that McQueary, and Paterno are responsible for their failure to act or contact the proper authorities...<br /><br />Now, what if a person is a church member and knows and sees this type of thing happening? Does the average church member have a legal responsibility to report to the authorities when these type of things are presented before them? Then what obligation does the church member have when these sort of things (basically equivalent to criminal activity) are noised within the congregation? Does the member that is aware of this type of activity hold a moral and civil responsibility to act and address the situation in the appropriate venue, even if that is the legal venue?<br /><br />I think the church has an obligation to be definitively clear on this issue. This is a matter of people's lives.District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-79701206335213206002011-11-10T07:44:28.917-06:002011-11-10T07:44:28.917-06:00Joe Paterno was fired last night 11/9/2011. ESPN&#...Joe Paterno was fired last night 11/9/2011. ESPN's Mike & Mike In The Morning on 11/10/2011 referenced the scene in a few good men when 2 soldiers had been convicted of following orders for a "Code Red" from their commanding officer which resulted in the death of a fellow soldier.<br /><br />When they were dishonorably discharged from the military, the thought was rendered by one soldiers that they did nothing wrong. The question was posed, "why were we being punished for doing nothing wrong?" The other soldier said something to the effect, "yes we did something wrong...we didn't fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves"<br /><br />Ooh, that the church would get the message, that we MUST fight for those who can't fight for themselves. This is why no church can afford to simply shuffle off individuals to the next post or position when they have done wrong in a similar manner. The victims must be ministered to and the perpetrators must be restored. <br /><br />When will the church be the church that Christ has called us to be?District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-77641051674521138832011-11-10T07:33:41.431-06:002011-11-10T07:33:41.431-06:00Temporarily Allowed Comment:
Pastor B,
I hadn...Temporarily Allowed Comment: <br /> <br />Pastor B,<br /><br />I hadn't been to your site in quite some time, and hearing of Paterno's<br />firing this morning I wondered if you were going to cover the story.<br />Well, lo and behold I see that you've taken on the task already...<br /><br />Certainly a sobering situation requiring much prayer and reflection. And<br />yes, the church can learn much from this ordeal. I pray that the glory<br />of Christ be seen through this and that all parties involved come to<br />real, authentic, repentant and powerful salvation in our Great Savior.<br /><br />In the Grip of His Grace,<br /><br />CraigAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com