After launching Stop Abus to tackle sexual abuse in churches, the CNEF says a broader reflection is needed among evangelicals around the the concept of “authority”.
A church building. / Photo: [link]K. Scott[/link], Unsplash, CC0.
France is one of the European countries with the highest growth in evangelical churches, and the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF) wants the good health of the evangelical movement to be matched by the fight against abuse.
After creating the “Stop Abus” victim support service in 2021, the body that brings together most Protestant evangelical churches and organisations is now launching a broader reflection on how to understand spiritual authority and how to prevent or act against possible abuses of power.
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Nancy Lefevre, director of the legal department of the CNEF, and Romain Choisnet, spokesman, gave details of the next steps planned in answers to Evangelical Focus.
[photo_footer] Nancy Lefevre and Romain Choisnet, of the National Council of Evangelicals in France, CNEF. [/photo_footer] Question. How do you think churches and Christians can set an example by avoiding abusive behaviour and respecting the dignity and value of each person?
Answer. The Gospel invites us to love our neighbours, especially the weakest and most vulnerable. We, as evangelical Protestants, wish to imitate Jesus Christ, who is our perfect example in his character, attitude and kindness. Christians must in turn be exemplary in respecting others and the dignity of each person, with particular attention to the weakest in our modern societies.
[destacate]“By setting aside our public image in favour of that of the victims, we humbly demonstrate our obedience to something greater than ourselves”[/destacate]The way we welcome the words of victims of abuse, the way we care for them, and our sincere and visible concern are essential. Our attitude and commitment are not only obedience to the commandments recalled by Jesus, but also a public testimony of our faith.It is also by sometimes setting aside our own dignity, our public image in particular, in favour of that of the victims, that we humbly demonstrate our obedience to something greater than ourselves, as individuals or organisations.
Q. What does the CNEF need to do at a national level combat abuses of power in local churches?
Answer. The first need is a general awareness of issues related to authority in the church among the members of the CNEF. Authority is good and biblical, but abusing power is harmful and hurts others. Abuses can occur and they destroy the church.
The second need is therefore to develop a fundamental reflection on how to reposition authority and its exercise in the Church from a Christian, evangelical Protestant perspective. The specific factors relating to churches and the spiritual realm should be identified.
[destacate]“The aim is to work together, in unity and with our ecclesial diversity, to achieve a protective and safe framework for the Church”[/destacate]This fundamental work will draw on theological and pastoral aspects related to authority in the church, but also on psychological, ethical and legal insights. Authority, freedom, responsibility and respect for individuals are some of the principles that should guide this reflection.
The third need is to be able to identify more concrete safeguards and put them into place. This involves establishing a framework for prevention.
Of course, safeguards can come from the law itself, but they must also be derived from a code of conduct and better supervision of the management of authority by church denominations, local churches and charitable organisations. In particular a framework of accountability, training and good practice.
Finally, but of great importance, the question of how to deal with situations and victims will need to be studied. How should they be managed? At what level? Of course, when situations involve criminal offences, the authorities have their rightful place. But in other cases, what will be the arbitration and jurisdiction? Where will victims receive care?
This sensitive issue of authority in the church and the fight against abuse of power therefore requires in-depth reflection, a basis of unity and witness to the values of the liberating Gospel.
Q. How will this initiative work in practice?
A. We move towards working with two working groups: one focusing on fundamental reflection and the other on issues related to prevention and action. The two groups will have opportunities to meet and ultimately develop a more comprehensive framework together.
Multidisciplinary expertise, external consultations and comparative contributions will be sought.
This work will be carried out in stages and should not be rushed but undertaken with determination and thoroughness.
The aim is to work together, in unity and with our ecclesial diversity, to achieve a protective and safe framework for the Church.
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