Former CFC members, a local political candidate and over a dozen activists called on New York State to pass the Child Abuse Reporting Expansion Act during a press conference on Oct. 21.

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — Former Christian Fellowship Center members, a local political candidate and over a dozen activists called on New York State to pass the Child Abuse Reporting Expansion Act during a press conference on Oct. 21, outside the St. Lawrence County Courthouse.

Tim Vollmer, who is running for a seat on the county legislature in District 11, said the criticism leveled at the bill is likely from a misunderstanding of the bill itself.

According to Vollmer, the bill does not require clergy to disclose abuse claims that are obtained during confession.

“It would require them to be mandatory reporters for the same reasons that teachers, day care workers, doctors, and nurses are already mandatory reporters; because they are the trusted authority figures an abused child may rely on for help,” Vollmer said.

Vollmer drew parallels between other crimes inflicted on individuals and families, including assault, robbery or being hit by a drunk driver, arguing that such crimes are all heard and judged in the justice system.

Vollmer said repentance is not an excuse for a crime to go unreported.

“Some have also claimed that if the abuser is repentant the church can handle the issue internally, but this is no more true for abuse than it is for any other crime,” Vollmer said.

“Repentance may be an important step towards rehabilitation towards some, but it is not a replacement for the criminal justice system.”

Local clergy members also spoke in support of the CARE Act, saying the need to protect children is of utmost importance.

Rev. James Galasinski, who serves the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton, said his ethics training as a minister, “stressed the importance of knowing your role and notifying others when issues arise.”

“Abuse should never be kept secret because it is likely to happen again. As a former chaplain to youth in the Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association I trained other chaplains and taught them that we are all mandatory reporters regardless of the state’s reporting laws,” Rev. Galasinski said.

Gary Van Kennen, President of the New York State Council of Churches, said the council stands in solidarity with those advocates who are calling upon the state to pass the CARE Act.

“This legislation is one more way to identify and minimize abuse of the vulnerable. We wish to stress that in nearly half the states, clergy are mandated reporters. As a Council, it’s incredible to us that New York did not make this a requirement many years ago. We invite you to join us in this advocacy effort by calling your state assembly person, state senator, and the governor’s office. It’s time to pass this legislation right away,” Van Kennen said.

Rev. Judith VanKennen, pastor of Emmanuel Congregational United Church of Christ in Massena, said the UCCNY Conference fully endorse passing the CARE Act.

“The United Church of Christ has a robust process for processing claims of clergy sexual abuse and other misconduct. We hold as sacred the responsibility of providing a place of safety and accountability. It is expected of all clergy and others who work with youth and children to be mandated reporters when suspicions or allegations of abuse arise,” Rev. VanKennen said.

Also speaking at the event was Michelle Wilbur, a member of CFCtoo, which was created by former CFC members in response to church leaders' failure to report alleged sexual abuse. Wilbur has detailed significant abuse allegations against her children and herself in previous years.

Wilbur argued that clergy must be mandated reporters to stop the abuses children are experiencing.

“I am willing to pay the cost that comes from telling the truth. Our children should be safe. Our church elders, leaders and clergy are the gatekeepers who must keep evil at bay,” Wilbur said.

Wilbur said she is a Republican who will work with anyone, regardless of party, to find a solution if it means the safety of children is ensured.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said.