Family Life

05.10.11 | Sarah Harnisch

When God and the law collide... there's a huge spread on the front page of USA Today this morning on whether or not a church should apologize for it's ministers sex abuse. The Vienna Presbyterian Church got bold Sunday and fessed up for a minister that abused several girls a half decade ago, behind church walls. He had already been fired, and charged and tried through the court system. Against their insurer's advice though, the church on Sunday issed an apology for all the wrongs the former pastor had done, and accepted responsibility for the consequences. The insurer said it puts the church in a terrible position for lawsuits. But the congregation said they won't hide behind lawyers-- and truth will set them free. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against other churches nationwide since the Catholic priest abuse scandal kicked off in 2002, with some people raking in thousands-- and others-- millions-- in settlement cash.