Should Congregations be told when a Church Leader has a Criminal Past?

A Samson Rising editorial on child safety, disclosure, and accountability within the Christian Fellowship Organisations.

Introduction

In recent months, Samson Rising has received multiple witness statements describing distressing allegations about a currently serving elder and committee member in one of the Christian Fellowship Organisations (CFO). According to these testimonies, the individual was alleged by witnesses to have been convicted of offences involving child abuse, but continues to perform their duties in the CFO. Witnesses allege that, despite the alleged conviction, the church has never informed its congregation, and the person was able to resume their leadership responsibilities after a short period.

Our witness statements allege that:

During a leaders’ meeting, witnesses allege that a senior elder told the meeting another elder had been convicted of child abuse. This same senior leader, is also alleged to have told the meeting that elder’s wife was also convicted for aiding and abetting the elder.

According to witnesses, the senior elder expressed support for the elder who had allegedly been convicted, suggesting that the court and “the world” were persecuting them. Also saying this was not the first such incident amongst CFO elders.

We are told the congregation noticed the man suddenly stopped performing his usual roles as a young adults leader as well as his other duties.

However, no announcement or other communication was provided to parents or the congregation generally.

After a short period, the couple reportedly resumed their former leadership duties. Again, no announcement or explanation was made. The elder once again spoke regularly from the pulpit, was an active home group leader and is currently active in these roles.

Witnesses allege that the same elder was later appointed to a senior role (within the CFO Incorporated Association), which oversees the organisation’s operations. Samson Rising understands from public records that a person with a similar name appears on the ACNC website. Samson Rising is not suggesting that the person listed on the ACNC register is a convicted criminal, and we request clarification from the CFO as to whether this refers to the same individual described in witness statements. The person named on the ACNC website is registered as a Responsible Person, meaning a Committee Member. This is one of the highest positions a person can hold in a registered charity in Australia.

Privacy and suppression laws may restrict the publication of identifying details of convicted persons. To comply with privacy obligations, we have removed or withheld dates, and locations that could identify any individual. However, we believe it is in the public interest for congregants to be informed if any person in church leadership has allegedly been convicted of offences involving harm to a child.

We have sought confirmation through Freedom of Information laws to verify the facts responsibly. We have reached out to three of the individuals described as victims by witnesses and offered support. We also invite the CFO to contact us to clarify their position.

Our Legal Advice

The CFO should take its own legal advice, but our legal advice leaves no room for doubt:

If a person has been convicted of child abuse they:

• Cannot lawfully serve as a committee member of an incorporated church association for at least 5 years (and in practice, indefinitely)
• Cannot lawfully work or volunteer in any role that involves children;
• This prohibits any contact between a person and a child and/or young person that involves:
  • physical contact;
  • face to face contact;
  • contact by post or other written communication;
  • contact by telephone or other oral communication; or
  • contact by email or other electronic communication. (Our understanding of the legislation is that this may extend to speaking publicly from the pulpit where children are present).
• They should not hold any leadership or pastoral role in a registered charity

The charity itself risks deregistration and potential prosecution if it knowingly allows this.

Claims for financial compensation may be brought by current and former CFO members – where a parent donates or volunteers under a false reassurance they could potentially bring a claim for misrepresentation or economic loss. This could potentially mean the refund of offerings made in the past.

Public Announcement is Mandatory

Most importantly, if, after an investigation, the CFO determines that a current committee member has previously been convicted of child abuse, we are advised the CFO has no reasonable alternative but to now make a public statement addressing this matter without delay.

Our advice is that in those circumstances each aspect of the following announcement is legally appropriate in the circumstances.

“Dear members of the congregation,

Our church leadership wishes to inform you that a former ministry leader was convicted several years ago in a [insert relevant State(s)] court, of offences involving the abuse of children. The individual and their spouse have been removed from all leadership roles. The church has since undertaken a full review of its child-safety practices and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of all children and young people in our care.

We deeply regret that this information was not communicated to the congregation earlier. We now operate under the [insert relevant State(s)] child safety standards and have put in place independent oversight to ensure no person with a history of child abuse – of any kind – will hold leadership or pastoral responsibilities.

Signed,
The Church Leadership Team

On behalf of all those contacting Samson Rising and alleging wrongdoing by the CFO, we call on the responsible persons in the committees of the CFO to conduct their own investigations and make any disclosures as required by law.

The duty to disclose

Under child safety standards, religious organisations have both a legal and ethical obligation to act transparently when a person in ministry is found guilty of harming a child. (Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, Section 17).

A failure to disclose that an elder or leader was a convicted criminal can amount to a breach of the ACNC Governance Standards, particularly Standards 1 and 5. Concealing such information from congregants may place its registration at risk. Under the ACNC Act 2012, the ACNC has authority to investigate, and revoke a charity’s registration.

The duty to disclose applies whether the abuse was sexual, physical, or emotional. The congregation has a right to know, particularly if that person holds, or may again hold, authority over families, youth, or vulnerable people.

Failing to disclose denies parents the opportunity to check if their children were harmed or to remove them if parents are unsatisfied with the CFO’s response. While forgiveness and understanding may have influenced the decision not to disclose, the concerns of parents and children alike must always take precedence.

A pattern of concealment

This is not the first time these concerns have surfaced within the Christian Fellowship Organisations. In Queensland, witnesses have alleged that a long-term Sunday School teacher within the movement was convicted of multiple child-sexual offences. Despite the alleged conviction, families within the CFO were never officially informed. Many survivors told Samson Rising they only learned of the matter years later. – often through word of mouth, not from the leadership of their CFO community.

Complaints arising from this Article

Based on the information received, Samson Rising has lodged separate complaints with the following authorities:

• The Reportable Conduct Scheme
• The ACNC

A report is also being prepared for the State regulator of incorporated associations.

However, we should stress the obligation to report, rests with the CFO. Their action was required if and when the alleged incident(s) took place, not because we have drawn attention to the issue.

The human impact of silence

When institutions choose secrecy over honesty, they send a devastating message: that reputation matters more than responsibility.

For those who grew up within the CFO, the long shadow of fear often comes not just from what was done, but from what was covered up.

Silence does not heal – it hardens. Disclosure, though painful, opens the door to safety, reform, and trust.

Rebuilding trust through truth

Churches often speak about repentance. True repentance cannot happen behind closed doors.

It begins with honesty — with telling the truth about what has happened, even when that truth is uncomfortable.

Every congregation deserves to worship in an environment free from fear, secrecy, or coercion. Every child deserves to grow up in a community that protects, listens, and believes them.

Transparency does not destroy faith. Concealment does.

About Samson Rising

Samson Rising is a survivor-led initiative advocating for accountability, transparency, and justice across all branches of the Christian Fellowship Organisations. If you have information related to past or present child-safety concerns, you can share an anonymous statement at www.samsonrising.com.au or email us at sa************@***il.com.

Legal and Privacy Disclaimer

Suppression and Non-Identification Notice

Certain court orders prohibit the publication of material that could identify an accused person, victim, or family member in certain child-abuse cases. To comply with these laws and protect privacy, Samson Rising has withheld all names, dates, locations, and other identifying details. This publication discusses governance and child-safety obligations only, not the identity of any individual.

All accounts are presented in a general and anonymised form to illustrate systemic governance and safety issues within religious organisations. Any link a reader perceives between these accounts and real individuals arises from information external to this publication, not from its content.

Verification Statement

Information contained herein is being verified through lawful and independent sources, including official records where available. Samson Rising does not intend to identify or imply the identity of any individual who may be protected by privacy or court orders.

Editorial Disclaimer

The opinions expressed are those of Samson Rising and are based on legal advice and evidence gathered in 57 formal complaints lodged on behalf of former members of the BCF and related entities (the CFO), as well as information from members of the public. Unless expressly stated, no person referred to has been found guilty of, or accused of, any criminal offence. The presumption of innocence applies. Independent investigation would assist not only those making allegations of abuse but also current CFO members by restoring confidence in their leadership.