How can parents believe their kids are safe when over 18 Southern Baptist leaders can know about a substantiated report involving a minister’s sexual abuse of a kid ... and the man is still able to remain in ministry?**

In every church where Tommy Gilmore worked, people in the pews should have been informed. Perhaps many of these leaders could explain their inaction by saying, “It wasn’t my responsibility.” But that’s the problem. Southern Baptists lack procedures for accountability. And whether or not these men had a legal responsibility, didn’t they have a moral obligation?

**Some of these Baptist leaders received the full report, which showed another minister’s substantiation. Others received letters telling them about the substantiated report and about the decision of the Baptist General Convention of Texas to place Gilmore’s name in its file of clergy abusers. Some received both. These notifications were by certified mail with signed return receipts - and more. Correspondence, sworn affidavits, and documents provide other proof of knowledge as to some. Six of these men even met with me in person. Yet, Gilmore remained in ministry for over 15 months after my easily substantiated report and for a year after the BGCT’s decision to place his name in its file of “known offenders.” Not until I filed a lawsuit, and got news coverage of the lawsuit, was Gilmore finally asked to resign.

There were probably other Baptist leaders who also knew. Southern Baptist minister Glenn Hayden had some knowledge about it, but he is now deceased. And, for each church where notification was received by a Chairman of the Deacons, it’s likely other deacons were also told. So many leaders could have chosen to take action, and yet so many turned a blind eye instead.

[See Disclaimers]