BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

Support for the CARE Act, which would add clergy to list of mandated reporters of child abuse, is gaining steam in Albany and several former members of Christian Fellowship Center are continuing to lobby for its passage.

On Wednesday, May 31, former St. Lawrence County residents Abby Nye, Michelle Wilbur and Bonnie Ogilivie will share their stories with lawmakers on the steps of the State Capital Building.

Also attending the trip are Stephanie Messina of Ogdensburg and at least two other, former Christian Fellowship Center members.

CFC operates churches in Madrid, Potsdam, Canton, Gouverneur and Moira and has several hundred members. A number of local business owners in the Potsdam area are members of the church, which actively recruits college students and runs a Friday school, used by members and non-members for homeschooling support.

Nye was raised in the church but has since moved to Wisconsin. She helped found a support group aimed at helping those who had lived within the church transition to life outside of the CFC.

The group was founded in direct response to the church’s handling of allegations of Sean Ferguson sexually abusing two young children under the age of five. Ferguson recently pled guilty to second-degree sexual abuse as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to six years probation and must register as a Level 1 sex offender. The original charge or first degree sexual abuse carried a maximum prison sentence of seven years.

Leaders within the church who were aware of allegations chose not to report them. Although they were under no legal obligation to do so in New York, that decision led to a large number of families leaving the church.

Nye and other former members of the church created a website called CFCtoo.com which offers support to church members who have suffered as members of the church.

The website includes what Nye refers to as “survivor stories” from past members who share their experiences during their time as members there. The stories include a variety of allegations ranging from cult-like behavior, domestic abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse and sexual abuse.

Speaking out

Bonnie Ogilvie is Ferguson’s mother. She decided to join with CFCtoo and speak out about her experience as a member of Christisan Fellowship Center after Ferguson received six months probation for sexual abuse.

She said the recent sentencing of her son prompted her to push for the CARE Act.

“My son was convicted of child sexual abuse in St. Lawrence County and the only reason he escaped justice was that his pastors refused to report his crime,” said the former St. Lawrence County resident.

“The authorities couldn’t bring strong charges against him because they needed three things: recent witness testimonies, recent victim testimonies, and cooperative guardians. They did not have any of these things. The gap between when the abuse occurred and when the abuse was reported to CPS was too large. When pastors are not required by law to report child sexual abuse, what happened to (these children) will happen to other children,” she said in a prepared statement.

The incident occurred in 2015, but wasn’t reported until 2021 after the accusations were uncovered by St. Lawrence County Child Protection Services, who reported the allegations to police.

Although he didn’t comment on the specific issues related to St. Lawrence County, New York Sen. Brad Hoylman, who sponsored the CARE Act, has been seeking additional sponsors. He recently found a co-sponsor in Republican Mark Walczyk, R-Watertown, who represents portions of St. Lawrence County.

"Clergy are trusted members of our communities. As trusted adults, those clergy need to held by law to protect our children and report potential child abuse. That’s why I sponsor the Child Abuse Reporting Expansion (CARE) Act with Assembly Member Wallace: to add clergy members to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse and maltreatment,” Holyman said.

“Members of the clergy should have been held by law to report the hundreds of sexual abuse claims under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, which instead went undetected for years. This bill changes that. This bill protects our children."

Wilbur, who has shared her stories of abuse in Albany and in various publications, maintains that when clergy fails to report abuse, victim’s are left to suffer for the rest of their lives.

“My church leadership’s failure to report my children’s abuse set them up for a lifetime of trauma,” says Michelle Wilbur, abuse survivor and CFCtoo advocate. “For far too long predators have been able to hide in churches where the pastors do not report the offender’s vile acts to authorities. Churches are a place for all sinners to feel loved. But it must be a place where the most vulnerable are protected.”

Church response

In response to a request for comment earlier this month regarding the Ferguson case, CFC Senior Pastor Rick Sinclair offered the following statement.

“I am aware of the resolution in the Ferguson matter, and I trust the ruling and wisdom of the State. Our local law enforcement and courts are to be commended for their excellent work. Thanks to those who serve us so faithfully.

The Ferguson family is moving forward, and I continue to pray for and support them. I believe and have seen that Jesus is able to heal and restore both abused and abuser. The Gospel message is Good News — Christ alone is our very real hope!! The gospel can change repentant hearts, heal victims, and redeem broken individuals.

Child sexual abuse is a heinous sin, as are all types of abuse. It is a perversion of God’s design for sexuality, and it is destructive to individuals, families, and our society. The effects of this perversion are far reaching and devastating.

For over 40 years I have been called into some very dark places in St Lawrence County. When I am called into people's lives, I bring any wisdom I may have gathered over the years, but more importantly, I call upon the Holy Spirit, who is able to deliver us out of sin, and heal the broken hearted.

My message remains the same: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved.”