Minn. Church Forgives Decades of Child Abuse: Prosecutors

A Minnesota church allowed a man who sexually abused children for decades to continue his crimes, according to an investigation by the Star Tribune and ProPublica. The Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Duluth reportedly let preacher Clint Massie avoid legal consequences because church leaders believed the matter was resolved after he asked his victims for forgiveness.

“If she spoke of it again, she would be guilty of having an unforgiving heart and the sins would become hers,” one survivor recalled after a meeting with Massie and her father, during which Massie pleaded for her forgiveness and the men reportedly cried together. Despite the severity of the abuse, the church did not report Massie to law enforcement, as required by law, in her case or in others.

Instead, church leaders organized “forgiveness sessions” that allowed Massie to remain in the community and continue abusing children. His misconduct was reportedly an open secret, with some mothers warning their daughters to stay away from him.

Massie was eventually convicted on felony charges and sentenced to more than seven years in prison. At sentencing, he again asked for forgiveness. “I beg for their forgiveness, for the damage and hurt that I’ve caused them over the years,” he said. “I feel responsible for the horrible acts to these children.”

Prosecutors criticized the church for failing to intervene, though no church leaders were charged. “They have enabled something awful here,” said Mike Ryan, St. Louis County assistant district attorney, who helped prosecute Massie.

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