Draffenville, Ky. – Having exhausted his appeals to remain a Jehovah’s Witness, the leader of an organization critical of the religious body’s handling of child abuse claims is making plans for a September march to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
William H. Bowen said his local congregation in Draffenville, Ky., had been told Aug, 15 that he had been disfellowshipped. Bowen said he had unsuccessfully appealed his case twice.
Bowen, the founder of Silentlambs, an organization critical of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ handling of child abuse allegations, said four other vocal critics also have been disfellowshipped, with two learning that their appeals were denied.
“They are taking a tack now to frighten (critics) just like they’re frightened abuse survivors into silence. “ Bowen said in an interview Aug. 21. “Now they’re trying to frighten anyone who speaks about it into silence.”
Although he is no longer an official member of the religious body, Bowen said he intends to continue his efforts to draw attention to the sex abuse issue.
He is coordinating a Silentlambs Abuse Survivors March on Sept. 27. Bowen expects at least 100 abuse survivors and supporters of victims from across the country and abroad to attend the march to headquarters of the religious body in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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