Report COGIC Abuse

“The Church of God in Christ does not condone any inappropriate behavior from any of its representatives, and does not comment on pending litigation against the Church or its representatives until a case has been brought to trial and an official ruling has been made. Until then, Pastor Sherman Allen has been suspended from all national and local pastoral roles and activities within the Church of God in Christ. This is Church policy and we will honor this policy for the case against Allen.”

May 10, 2007

"We now live in a litigious society. People file lawsuits for every conceivable grievance, whether real or imagined. To protect the name, image, and assets of the Church of God in Christ, we must take positive steps to seriously investigate very case of alleged sexual abuse by the clergy. We must stand behind and support those who are falsely accused of sexual improprieties and found innocent by the courts. We must also insure that the Church act quickly to take firm and positive action against those who violate the sanctity of their positions and are found guilty of sexual abuse and other sexual improprieties.”

Bishop Charles Blake

Presiding Bishop

Oct 29, 2007

"This [sexual abuse policy] was designed specifically–as was the handbook– designed specifically for employees at headquarters. And what transpired was that they thought it was a good idea, and we start making it available to anybody and everybody that wanted to use it as a model to model in their jurisdictions and in their local churches. But initially, it was designed for headquarters and headquarters alone. If you read carefully, you’ll find that the process in this book is relegated to the National Sexual Review Board if there’s anything that transpires at headquarters. But essentially, this was just a model to be used by everybody, if they desired to use it."

Deposition of Judge Enoch Perry

Chief Legal Counsel

Sept 4, 2008

“Media coverage of any sexual oriented event and the church will have a negative slant. The pessimistic coverage will have a direct impact on the overall public perception of the church involved, its corporate body and its membership. Additionally, this negativity will directly affect new membership and outside donations.”

November 2009, General Assembly Presentation

"That's the part that I really find offensive, Because sometimes it's written like all we want to do is save ourselves from liability, we don't really care about people—and that's not true at all. Our first concern is the parishioners, not just pastors. We do not tolerate pastors in the pulpit who are found guilty of these improprieties.

I want to believe that every bishop is committed to carrying out the constitution as it relates to these grievous acts. Anybody who can find where it’s not being carried out and can prove it, I’m sure that charges will be brought against that bishop who did not carry out his responsibility."

Supt Derrick Hutchins

Chairman, COGIC Council of Pastors and Elders

October 15, 2009

"The church has been working on this issue for more than 15 years."

Deidre Malone, COGIC public relations

Read full deposition [pdf]

Duane Hammons Appeal