What is the Christian Reformed Church’s history of abuse? Based on recent and ongoing reports, it may be just as deep and damaging as that of other churches.
Our Michigan clergy sex abuse lawyer understands the sensitive nature of these cases and endeavors to provide supportive and assertive legal representation.
Understanding Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Christian Reformed Church
The media has kept Christian churches in the public eye nearly nonstop for the last few decades, primarily singling out the Catholic church for facilitating and allowing clergy to abuse their children sexually.
Though the spotlight has been on the diocese, the Christian Reformed Church may have a similar history of abuse. Recently, these have been brought back to the media following a lawsuit against the Grand Rapids Christian Reformed Church for abuse that may have happened nearly twenty years ago.
Sexual abuse is an unimaginable occurrence regardless of who perpetrates it. When the abuse is someone holding a position like that of a clergy member, the trust from their community is nearly implicit, making the violation that much more devastating to the individual, family, and community. This is demonstrated in the reports of sexual abuse from the Christian Reformed Church.
What Can Constitute Sexual Abuse?
This history of clergy sexual abuse is full of stories that show a lack of understanding of what sexual abuse is or how it should be handled. There are many cases where people did not think acts counted as sexual abuse, or leadership believed the offender to be ‘rehabilitated’ and allowed them back into their community work. Thankfully, our understanding of sexual abuse today is comprehensive, including many encounters such as:
- Touching intimate or private areas
- Exposure to pornography
- Coercion
- Sexual acts under duress or threats of violence
- Exposing genitals or performing sexual acts in front of a minor or non-consenting adult
- Penetrative assault
The Role of Grooming
Grooming is a behavior that most perpetrators engage in and often happens under the nose of caring adults in a child’s life. Though grooming is a common indicator of child sexual abuse, it is intended to be subtle and manipulative.
Perpetrators will often look for a child who seems to lack appropriate support and supervision to make the process of gaining trust and access to the child easier.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Christian Reformed Church Abuse History
Very little research is available regarding the Christian Reformed Church and documented instances of sexual abuse. The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests(SNAP) provides media statements on current or recent news and events surrounding clergy abuse and has an article referring to a civil lawsuit against the Christian Reformed Church for sexual abuse perpetrated by a now-deceased priest. The case against Edouard was ultimately unsuccessful.
The Bandstra sisters say they reported their abuse, and concerns went unaddressed by church leadership. Court documents from the case (16-1078) state that at one point, leadership may have had their own concerns regarding the priest’s behavior, but no action was taken. The sisters also reported that when they disclosed the abuse, they were met with shame, and their reports were immediately dismissed.
2019 Synod Revelations
In 2019, Synod delegates gathered in Michigan and shared more stories of abuse in the Christian Reformed Church. Reports don’t share details of what cities or specific names of survivors or perpetrators, but an article from recent years shares the stories of abuse that left a trail of pain, anger, and mistrust, including that of Rev. Carel Geleynse. Just one week after taking over his own church, Rev. Geleynse discovered the previous Reverend had previously sexually abused a minor.
The initial revelation of this abuse led to further investigation and more conversations. During this time, more reports came forward, and even other leaders reported their own stories of abuse of power in their areas. In an interview, Rev. Geleynse reported pressure to ‘forgive quickly’ and move on.
Recent Reports of Abuse History
Allegations of abuse in the Christian Reformed Church have not been broadcasted in the same way as other institutions. However, in August of 2024, a Grand Rapids church was named in a lawsuit detailing the sexual abuse of a minor. Reports state that Marian Ippel is filing a lawsuit for sexual abuse she endured at three years old and then later at four years old.
The suit alleges that a deacon of the church abused her in a church basement in 2006, and then a 12-year-old boy sexually abused her a year later. In a separate news report regarding the woman who recalls alleged sexual abuse at age 3 in a Michigan church, the report says another child may have also abused the 12-year-old in the church. The article suggests the church knew about these allegations and failed to act appropriately.
Given how many have begun sharing stories of their abuse history in the Christian Reformed Church and their potential coverups, it can be assumed that many more survivors are out there and have yet to come forward.
Research has shown us that it can take years for those victimized by the church to find the courage to come forward and that disclosing abuse is more likely as others do the same. While the church has made efforts through its Thrive: Safer Churches program, there is much to be done to seek justice for those who are still struggling to break the silence.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Call a Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer Today
At White Law PLLC, we expect an influx of survivors disclosing the abuse they endured as they gain the courage to seek justice and hold accountable their abusers and the organizations that facilitated it. If you have suffered abuse at the hands of a clergy member in the Christian Reformed Church, we are here to help.
Our team has over two decades of experience serving the Michigan community and those nationwide with testimonials to support our reputation for client-focused representation.
The decision to come forward is deeply personal, and our team understands that it may come with difficult emotions. We offer free case consultations to discuss your case and determine which of our services may be most appropriate for you.
The only person who should hold any guilt or responsibility for the abuse you endured is the person who perpetrated it, and we are honored to play a part in helping you seek justice and hold them accountable.
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