Evangelicals ‘worse than’ Catholics on handling abuse

AUSTIN, Texas — A Liberty University law professor and grandson of Billy Graham said he thinks evangelicals “are worse” than Catholics when it comes to responding to sexual abuse by clergy. “Protestants can be very arrogant when pointing to Catholics,” said Boz Tchividjian, executive director of Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE). “The Protestant culture is defined by independence.”

Evangelicals often frown upon transparency and accountability, he said, as many Protestants rely on Scripture more than religious leaders, compared to Catholics. Abusers discourage whistle-blowing by condemning gossip to try to keep people from reporting abuse, he said. Victims are also told to protect the reputation of Jesus. He said too many Protestants have sacrificed souls in order to protect their institutions. “We’ve got the Gospels backwards.”