How to handle with Child Molesters

By Rado Vleugel

On June 1, 2001 the Watchtower Society of Britain send a letter to all bodies of elders about how to handle with child molesters in the congregation. The letter shows that it is no problem at all that elders and ministerial servants, who in the past have abused children, continue to 'serve' the congregation.

The letter writes:

"The elders may have written to the branch office and given full details about a former child abuser who is currently serving as an elder or ministerial servant. In such a case, if the branch office has decided that he can be appointed or continue serving in a position of trust because the sin occurred many years ago and because he has lived an exemplary life since then, his name should not appear on the List, nor is it necessary to pass on information about the brother's past sin if he moves to another congregation unless contrary instructions have been given by the branch. "

Below are the scans of this letter:

"This is the text of a letter sent to all Presiding Overseers in the UK. It was given to an elder by his PO. This elder was so shocked by what he read he had two copies made and had them notarized by a solicitor as true copies. We met this elder the same day. He showed us the original so we could verify its authenticity ourselves, and he gave us both copies. He made two small alterations to the copies. He obliterated a two-letter code that preceded the date. This identified the congregation. He does not wish to identify his congregation at this time because of the potential repercussions to the PO who inadvertently broke the Society's instructions by letting the letter out of his possession."

I received the scans of this letter from one of my sources. The additional information that you find above and below are taken from the e-mail I received from this source.

"I have obtained a copy of a Society letter pertaining to procedures involving pedophiles (child molesters). Julia and I have verified that both the elder and the letter are genuine. (We are not at liberty to disclose his identity at this time, but we can tell you he has been a JW for nearly 30 years and an elder for almost half that time.)

He is angry and upset at what the Society are now doing in relation to the issues surrounding this subject. In his home congregation is a known pedophile Ministerial Servant currently being investigated by the Police. The elder states that he has been appalled to see the other elders shield him, and that this protection is endorsed by the Circuit and District Overseers. He is still being allowed to serve as a Ministerial Servant in all capacities and, of course, go from door-to-door.

The elder had notarised solicitors copies made before asking us to make the letter public. I would therefore request any of you who have websites to post this as you see fit along with any personal observations you may wish to make.

Those of us who have had extensive dealings with the Society know exactly what the "legalese" is all about. Its called (in polite circles) "covering your backside!" We personally feel that the fourth paragraph is a shoking indigtment of how "safe havens" are created in the congregations for these child abusers.

It is our hope that you will be able to use this information to help sincere JW's see the true face of the organisation. Our experience is that those in control of the Society are motivated now largely by self-preservation and self-interest. Rather than being "the Truth" they will do almost anything to cover up the truth.

As you read this, the latest episode in the "Watchtower Pedophile Tragedy", spare a thought for the thousands of innocent young victims that needlessly suffer horrific abuse every day because of Watchtower legalism."