These words of Jesus were quoted by John Laws on his radio program last week in relation to the issue of sex offences committed against children, and the apparent tolerant attitude to the perpetrators by the current Governor General when he was Archbishop of Brisbane.

As our own Archbishop points out in his Pastoral Letter being distributed today, child abuse and sexual misconduct towards children is an abhorrent thing, and any misconduct by clergy or lay leader in this regard "must be viewed with very great seriousness and action taken immediately." This is in line with community attitudes, which have hardened over the last ten years, but it clearly flows from the teaching of Jesus.

The Diocese of Sydney now has clearly defined protocols for dealing with issues of sexual abuse, and works in closely with DoCS in the implementation of Government legislation in this regard.

However, it must be admitted that such rigorous attitudes have not always prevailed. Because of the sinfulness of human nature, all community organisations where adults have close contact with children are vulnerable to such problems, and the Church is not exempt. If rumour is to be believed, there was even a problem once at St Mark's (Before my time!)

Unfortunately, there has been a culture in many parts of the Church (of most denominations) of playing down the seriousness of such sin and covering it up where it occurred. However, there is very clear evidence that this kind of sin is like an addiction, and those who have committed it are almost certain to offend again if they are not adequately dealt with, and removed from situations where it is possible. As our Archbishop has said: "Whilst the gospel clearly allows for firgiveness for any wrongdoer, the consequences of sexual misconduct or abuse by church leaders in most cases will result in them being unsuitable to hold office."

Jesus was very strong in his condemnation of anyone who caused a child to stumble. He said that they should have a heavy millstone tied around their neck and they be drowned in the sea! (The Jews had a particular fear of death by drowning) If we take Jesus' words seriously we cannot treat lightly those who abuse children!

However, while I do not in any way want to downplay the horrible seriousness of sexual abuse of children, we have to recognise that Jesus' words have a wider application. His warning against causing little ones to stumble can relate to other areas that do not get such a community censure.

For example, we can cause children to stumble into the sin of anger by poor parenting. In Ephesians 6:4 we read: "Father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Failure to properly discipline our children can cause them to stumble.

Another way we can cause them to stumble is by the example we set. This can be in the way we treat others, especially those of the opposite sex, in the way we spend our time, and especially, in the way we speak. It is very interesting to watch kindergarten children at play and see the way they reflect the homes they come from. I have been horrified by the language I sometimes hear over my back fence!

Jesus' particular reference was to "these little ones who believe in me," and it is in the area of faith that we are in the most danger of causing children to stumble. Children have a beautiful simplicity in their faith. That is why Jesus used them as an example of the kind of faith we all need, when he said: "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3,4)

Little children will believe almost anything an adult tells them. They will soak up stories of fairies and witches alongside stories of Jesus. But, as they mature, they begin to sift out the truth from the fantasy. What a tragedy it is that many parents will go to much greater lengths to support the myth of Santa than to affirm the truth of Jesus! How many children have been caused to stumble in their faith by parents who failed to set them a proper example, or even openly rubbished the Christian truth!

We rightly get incensed at sexual predators who harm our children. Be we need to consider carefully whether we ourselves are causing them to stumble in other ways that Jesus considers equally as serious.

Rev. John Davies
24 February 2002