By Trend News Line 2024-05-24 02:14:00.
**Former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor Faces Federal Charges**
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Matthew Queen, a former professor and interim provost of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been arraigned on federal charges of falsification of records. This development comes amidst an ongoing federal investigation into possible widespread cover-ups of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and its affiliated entities.
**Allegations and Investigation**
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, along with the FBI, has been conducting a probe since around 2022, looking into claims of sexual abuse and misconduct within the SBC. In 2022, an independent investigations firm, Guidepost Solutions, revealed that SBC leaders had a history of viewing survivors of sexual abuse as adversaries and downplaying the prevalence of abuse within local churches to protect the institution.
The indictment of Matthew Queen marks the first official acknowledgment by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of its investigation into the SBC. The FBI requested documents from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, regarding abuse allegations in October 2022. Despite a staff member being made aware of an allegation of abuse involving a student, the institution failed to report it to the FBI.
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In January 2023, an employee drafted a document outlining the abuse allegations and the institution’s inaction. However, the document was instructed to be discarded by another staff member in a meeting with Queen. When questioned by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in May 2023, Queen allegedly provided false information about his knowledge of the document’s disposal.
**Legal Ramifications and Response**
If found guilty, Queen could face up to 20 years in prison for obstructing a federal grand jury investigation by fabricating notes to support his false claims. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the seriousness of attempting to hinder a federal investigation through criminal obstruction.
Following the discovery of Queen’s actions in June 2023, he was placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned from his position at the seminary. The institution made it clear that any employees implicated in misconduct were no longer employed at the seminary.
**Implications for the Southern Baptist Convention**
The case involving Matthew Queen is part of a larger reckoning within the SBC regarding its handling of sexual abuse allegations. The denomination has faced criticism for prioritizing its reputation over the well-being of abuse survivors. The outcome of the federal investigation could lead to necessary reforms within the SBC to address issues of transparency, accountability, and support for survivors of abuse.
The arraignment of Matthew Queen shines a light on the challenges faced by the Southern Baptist Convention and underscores the importance of addressing abuse and misconduct within religious institutions with transparency and accountability. It is a reminder of the need for justice and accountability in the face of such serious allegations..
– Former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor Arraigned Federal Charges Falsifying Records Sexual Abuse Investigation
– Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor Arraigned Federal Charges Falsifying Records Sexual Abuse Investigation.
