And hasn’t the wider church been in the same situation for years? Just look at the numerous abusers being outed in the Catholic church, and the way the Catholic church covered up the abusers’ crimes while doing nothing for the abused. And certainly the Catholic church is not the only religious group who has done this!

Protect the innocent, not the criminal.

Ezekiel (IIRC) has a lot to say about shepherds (not you, Shepherd!) who abuse the sheep. I think your elders need to examine themselves to see if they don’t fit that description and warrant the punishment!

BTW: one way to be sure that gossip spreads out of control is to “stonewall” any inquiry about matters that may potentially have an adverse effect on families and individuals.

To be fair, since most of the board doesn’t seem to have any particular concern for the victims in this matter, I can see why they would want to downplay the story. After all, if this place becomes known as a haven for pedophiles it might impact attendance and cash flow. As one of my heroes once observed, ” – - stupid is as stupid does.”