Church

Cook County Jury Rules in Favor of Elissa Wall, Connecting Jeffs Family Finances to Church Abuse Accountability

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A jury in Cook County, Illinois, delivered a significant verdict on June 27, siding with Elissa Wall in her case against Seth and Warren Jeffs. This ruling paves the way for Wall to collect funds from a property sale by Seth Jeffs, with the $130,000 earned now eligible to help pay off a court-mandated debt Wall is owed. Warren Jeffs, currently serving a life sentence in Texas for sexually assaulting a minor, is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS). In 2017, a Utah court mandated that he pay … Read more

Calls for Accountability Rise as Grand Jury Inquiry into Catholic Church Abuse Cases Sparks Outrage

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In Trenton, New Jersey, discussions surrounding the Catholic Church’s handling of abuse allegations have intensified, particularly with the state’s grand jury involved in the matter. Lloyd Levenson, representing the church, remarked that those unaware of the grand jury’s proceedings would need to be exceptionally uninformed. Levenson claimed that the intent of the investigation appears to be aimed at casting a negative light on the church, its priests, and bishops. He emphasized that while the grand jury’s focus may be controversial, criminal investigations by the state remain an option, and victims have the ability to seek … Read more

Justice vs. Compassion: Montrose Church Defies City Ordinance to Aid Unhoused Amid Controversial Court Conflict

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Montrose, Colorado — Amid a growing homelessness crisis, a municipal dispute unfurled when local church leaders and city officials gathered for a court hearing in late February. The First United Methodist Church had allowed approximately 50 people without homes to establish a temporary encampment on its property following a city ordinance that prohibited camping in public areas. With the area’s harsh winter conditions posing significant risks, church leaders aimed to provide shelter and safety for those seeking refuge. The city of 20,000 residents, situated 60 miles southeast of Grand Junction, responded with citations aimed at … Read more

Controversy Erupts at Houston’s Second Baptist Church as Lawsuit Claims Unlawful Power Shift Undermines Congregational Voice

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HOUSTON – A lawsuit filed against Second Baptist Church claims the Houston congregation unlawfully altered its governing documents, effectively stripping members of their voting rights on key matters such as budgets and the selection of a senior pastor. This legal action has raised questions about the church’s decision-making structure and its implications for member participation. The lawsuit, initiated by a group of current and former members known as the Jeremiah Counsel Corporation, alleges that the changes to the church’s bylaws were made to facilitate the succession of Ben Young, son of longtime pastor Ed Young. … Read more