>Dough
When Zulock asked Bailey for a recommendation on agencies to possibly help them adopt a girl, Bailey recommended two agencies that are “open to same-sex families,” including Bethany Christian Services, which the New York Times profiled in March 2021 as one of the country’s “largest adoption and foster care agencies.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/bethany-adoption-agency-lgbtq.html
>https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/bethany-adoption-agency-lgbtq.html
Major Evangelical Adoption Agency Will Now Serve Gay Parents Nationwide
The decision comes as more cities and states require organizations to accept applications from L.G.B.T.Q. couples or risk losing government contracts.
March 1, 2021
One of the country’s largest adoption and foster care agencies, Bethany Christian Services, announced on Monday that it would begin providing services to L.G.B.T.Q. parents nationwide effective immediately, a major inflection point in the fraught battle over many faith-based agencies’ longstanding opposition to working with same-sex couples.
Bethany, a Michigan-based evangelical organization, announced the change in an email to about 1,500 staff members that was signed by Chris Palusky, the organization’s president and chief executive. “We will now offer services with the love and compassion of Jesus to the many types of families who exist in our world today,” Mr. Palusky wrote. “We’re taking an ‘all hands on deck’ approach where all are welcome.”
The announcement is a significant departure for the 77-year-old organization, which is the largest Protestant adoption and foster agency in the United States. Bethany facilitated 3,406 foster placements and 1,123 adoptions in 2019, and has offices in 32 states. (The organization also works in refugee placement, and offers other services related to child and family welfare.) Previously, openly gay prospective foster and adoptive parents in most states were referred to other agencies.
The decision comes amid a high-stakes cultural and legal battle that features questions about sexuality, religious freedom, parenthood, family structure and theology.
Adoption is a potent issue in both conservative Christian and gay communities. Faith-based agencies play a substantial role in placing children in new families. Meanwhile, more than 20 percent of same-sex couples with children have an adopted child, compared to 3 percent of straight couples, according to a 2016 report from the Williams Institute at U.C.L.A. School of Law. Gay couples are also significantly likelier to have a foster child.
“To use a Christian term, this is good news,” said Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, a fellow with the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the Center for American Progress. “For too long the public witness of Christianity has been anti-this or anti-that,” he added. “Today the focus is on serving children in need.”
Bethany’s practice of referring gay couples to other agencies was not official, the agency’s leaders say. “It was a general understanding that was pervasive,” said Susanne Jordan, a board member and former employee. But since 2007, the organization had a position statement saying that “God’s design for the family is a covenant and lifelong marriage of one man and one woman.”
Bethany Christian Services’ new policy states that “Christians of mutual good faith can reasonably disagree on various doctrinal issues, about which Bethany does not maintain an organizational position.”
Bethany’s informal policy became increasingly challenging for the organization in recent years, as various states and municipalities began requiring agencies to accept applications from L.G.B.T.Q. couples in order to maintain their government contracts.
When a lesbian couple in Philadelphia attended a Bethany information session on foster parenting in 2018, they were told “this organization has never placed a child with a same-sex couple,” one of the women told The Philadelphia Inquirer. They were eventually referred to another agency. Media reports prompted the city to suspend contracts with Bethany’s local branch and Catholic Social Services, an agency with the same practice.
>https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/bethany-adoption-agency-lgbtq.html
Some faith-based agencies have challenged new requirements to work with gay clients in the courts. Catholic Social Services sued the City of Philadelphia over its contract suspension, a case that the Supreme Court heard in November. A ruling is expected by the end of June.
Bethany, by contrast, has generally opted to comply. In Philadelphia, the branch changed its policy to work with gay parents, and the city restored its contract. That year, Bethany’s national board passed a resolution granting local boards the authority to comply with state and local contract requirements. As of last year, the organization said, Bethany branches in 12 states were working with L.G.B.T.Q. families, although those changes were rarely publicized.
“I am disappointed in this decision, as are many,” Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said in a statement on Monday. “This move will harm already existing efforts to enable faith-based orphan care ministries to serve the vulnerable without capitulating on core Christian convictions,” he added, referring to litigation like the case in Philadelphia.
Bethany’s new approach is something of a tightrope act: an attempt to establish a clear, consistent policy of inclusion that does not rattle its core constituencies, including the churches that are its primary venue for recruiting parents. The inclusivity resolution passed in January eliminated the 2007 position statement on marriage being between one man and one woman. But the new statement does not endorse same-sex relationships.
The policy, which was quietly approved by its 14-member national board on Jan. 21, instead states that “Christians of mutual good faith can reasonably disagree on various doctrinal issues, about which Bethany does not maintain an organizational position.”
The board’s vote was unanimous, but internal discussions have prompted “a few” board members to depart since 2018, according to Nathan Bult, Bethany’s senior vice president for public and government affairs. He emphasized that the current board included members with “diverse personal views on sexuality.”
Many evangelical nonprofit groups are familiar with how policy changes like this can go awry. When the evangelical relief agency World Vision announced in 2014 that it would begin hiring Christians in same-sex marriages, donor backlash was so fierce that the group reversed the decision within 48 hours. Mr. Palusky, who arrived at Bethany in 2018, was an executive at World Vision at that time.
Even Bethany’s past partial acquiescence drew fierce criticism from some conservative evangelicals. Bethany’s Mississippi branch parted ways with the national organization over objections to the policy change in Philadelphia. And when the organization changed its policy in Michigan in 2019, in response to the state’s announcement that it would no longer fund agencies that did not accept gay couples, a cover story in World, an evangelical magazine, read “GIVING UP” with an illustration depicting a hand waving a white flag from behind a desk.
Bethany said it was “disappointed” in the Michigan requirement at the time. But Mr. Palusky also argued that becoming technically open to L.G.B.T.Q. clients in a few locations would not significantly affect the organization’s work.
Over time, however, “it got to a point where it became really untenable to have this patchwork of practices,” Mr. Bult said. “Bethany was ready and Christians are ready.”
The organization has been quietly exploring the latter claim for several years now. Last year, it commissioned a survey from the evangelical pollster Barna that found 32 percent of self-identified Christians believed that sexual orientation should not determine who could foster or adopt.
In the coming months, Bethany will offer training to all employees. “We’re opening the door to more families and more churches,” Ms. Jordan said. “We recognize there are people who will not be happy. We may lose some donors. But the message we’re trying to give is inviting people alongside of us. Serving children should not be controversial.”
>https://twitter.com/NavalInstitute/status/1617552654262992897
https://news.usni.org/2023/01/23/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-23-2023
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 23, 2023
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Jan. 23, 2023, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
https://archive.is/rmBYT
Vatican investigates ‘lockdown sex party in British cathedral’
The resignation of a bishop, and a child abuse allegation against the dean he appointed, prompted the Pope’s advisers to step in
The Roman Catholic church is investigating allegations of a lockdown “sex party” at a cathedral as part of an inquiry into a former bishop’s tenure.
In a highly unusual move, the Vatican has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Robert Byrne’s resignation as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in December.
In a letter seen by The Sunday Times, the Archbishop of Liverpool, who is leading the investigation, said he has been asked by the Pope’s advisers to prepare “an in-depth report into the events leading up to Bishop Byrne’s resignation”.
For almost 1,000 years, the Catholic church has required priests to be celibate. There is no suggestion the bishop attended the alleged party, inside a property adjoining St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle, during the Covid lockdown, or was aware of it.
A diocese source said: “A number of complaints were made by individuals within the diocese after information came to light about a sex party taking place in the priests’ living quarters attached to Newcastle cathedral.”
A second church source said: “The cathedral had become a laughing stock.”
When the bishop stepped down, he told worshippers he had been reflecting: “What does the Lord require of me?”, and decided the role had become “too great a burden”.
The Roman Catholic church is investigating allegations of a lockdown “sex party” at a cathedral as part of an inquiry into a former bishop’s tenure.
In a highly unusual move, the Vatican has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Robert Byrne’s resignation as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in December.
In a letter seen by The Sunday Times, the Archbishop of Liverpool, who is leading the investigation, said he has been asked by the Pope’s advisers to prepare “an in-depth report into the events leading up to Bishop Byrne’s resignation”.
For almost 1,000 years, the Catholic church has required priests to be celibate. There is no suggestion the bishop attended the alleged party, inside a property adjoining St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle, during the Covid lockdown, or was aware of it.
A diocese source said: “A number of complaints were made by individuals within the diocese after information came to light about a sex party taking place in the priests’ living quarters attached to Newcastle cathedral.”
>https://archive.is/rmBYT
A second church source said: “The cathedral had become a laughing stock.”
When the bishop stepped down, he told worshippers he had been reflecting: “What does the Lord require of me?”, and decided the role had become “too great a burden”.
The inquiry would “focus on culture and governance arrangements around the safeguarding process”.
The letter added: “I have been asked by the Dicastery for Bishops to prepare an in-depth report into the events leading up to Bishop Byrne’s resignation.”
It is a rare intervention for the Dicastery for Bishops, the Vatican department in charge of nominating bishops and overseeing their performance around the world, which answers directly to the Pope.
The CSSA last week confirmed it had started an “unscheduled safeguarding audit” in the Catholic diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
Steve Ashley, the CSSA chief executive officer, said an “official independent unscheduled safeguarding review” began on Thursday. He added: “The scope of the investigatory work will cover any reported abuses, alleged abuses, safeguarding concerns and the culture of safeguarding in the diocese as a whole.” He said the CSSA’s work was “independent” and had “full autonomy over our findings”.
The former chief prosecutor for the northwest of England, Nazir Afzal, chairman of the CSSA, added: “There should be no doubt that we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to keeping people safe, and this includes investigating the safeguarding culture in Hexham and Newcastle.”
A Hexham and Newcastle diocese spokesman said the diocese had “previously invited” the CSSA to conduct a review “following the resignation of Bishop Byrne in December 2022”.
“Diocesan trustees have met and have had contact with the chief executive and representatives of the CSSA this week,” said the spokesman. “The review is now under way. Prior to Bishop Byrne’s resignation in mid-December, trustees were working with the Charity Commission, following their self-referral to that organisation.”
The diocese said it remained “fully committed” to safeguarding as an “integral part of the life and the ministry of the church”.
A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: “A charity should be a safe and trusted environment. As regulator, we are clear that keeping people safe should be a priority for all charities.
“We are aware of potential governance and safeguarding concerns at the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. We have opened a regulatory compliance case and are engaging with the trustees.”
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-priest-child-sex-abuse-20392273
Newcastle priest found dead was being investigated by police for historic child sex abuse
An allegation of an historic sex offence was made against Canon Michael McCoy, of St Mary's Cathedral, before his death
A Newcastle priest who has been found dead was being investigated by police for historic child sex abuse.
Canon Michael McCoy, of St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle city centre, died on the morning of Saturday, April 10.
Prior to the 57-year-old's death, ChronicleLive can now reveal an allegation of child sex abuse against him was made to Northumbria Police.
It is understood the police investigation was only in its early stages when Canon McCoy was found dead at a property in Newcastle.
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report has been prepared for the coroner.
It is understood Canon McCoy was not interviewed or arrested by officers in relation to the alleged abuse.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we received concerns about a named individual and enquiries were ongoing to establish if any criminal offences had been committed.
"The man had not been arrested or interviewed under caution but on April 10 we received a report he had been found deceased at an address in Newcastle.
"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances around the man's death and a report has been prepared for the coroner."
The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said in a statement: "Following the sad news of the death of Canon Michael McCoy on April 10 2021, the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle calls for prayers to be offered for the repose of his soul and for his family at this painful time.
"No further comment is available concerning the circumstances of his death.
"The Safeguarding Department of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle continues to cooperate fully with Northumbria Police to assist with their investigation in respect of Canon McCoy. No further comment is available at this time."
Before taking up his role at St Mary's, Canon McCoy was a priest in parishes across Sunderland including St Anne's in Pennywell, St Joseph's in Millfield and St Benet's in Monkwearmouth.
Responding to Canon McCoy's death, Bishop Robert Byrne said: "It is with a sense of deep shock and sadness that I have to inform you that Canon Michael McCoy died yesterday morning.
"This is a time of great grief for Canon Michael’s family, his friends, his parishioners and for our whole Diocese.
"I would ask you to pray for the repose of his soul, and also to keep his family in your prayers and at this most difficult time."
An inquest into Canon McCoy's death will take place at Newcastle Coroners Court in due course.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/miacathell/2023/01/17/zulock-case-pt-1-n2618219
TAPES: We Investigated a Suburban LGBTQ Pedophile Ring. Here's What We Found.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/miacathell/2023/01/18/zulock-case-pt-2-n2618321
Part 2: Just How Big Was the Operation Led by the LGBTQ Couple Who Abused Their Adopted Sons?
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/miacathell/2023/01/19/zulock-case-pt-3-n2618323
Part 3: How Did an Accused Child Rapist Adopt Two Children?
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/miacathell/2023/01/20/zulock-case-pt-4-n2618324
Part 4: What's Jail Like for Two Accused Child Rapists?
>Speaking on a Jeremy Kyle Live special on Monday at 7pm, Maxwell talks about Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew and Queen Elizabeth II.