The Seventh-day Adventist Church claims ‘the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all individuals is of the utmost importance’ and yet …. a convicted domestic violence perpetrator and accused rapist has just been organised as a church minister.
Mathew Murray Harrison punched a woman in the face, strangled her, threw her around and tried to headbutt her. He was convicted and received a suspended prison sentence in late 2024. The offending happened in Tasmania.
Harrison is charged with rape and that case is yet to be heard in Queensland, the ABC reports.
Despite this, Harrison is now a deacon at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Deloraine in Tasmania.
He was ordained there on March 28 by Pastor Darryl Groves.
“Lord, we just want to thank you and praise you for bringing Mathew to our congregation to lead in this very special way,” Groves told the service.
“So, Lord, we dedicate his life to service.”
When the ABC asked the church if Harrison’s criminal history was known, management dodge the question, saying: “Local church appointments are made at a congregational level, based on an individual’s current commitment to faith, service and community life.”
“Any opportunity to serve is dependent on clear accountability, appropriate processes, and evidence that an individual’s conduct is consistent with the standards expected of those in positions of trust,” a spokesperson told the ABC.
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church condemns all forms of violence.
“Such behaviour is completely inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the values of our church.
“The safety, dignity and wellbeing of all individuals is of the utmost importance, and we do not tolerate abuse in any form.
“Out of respect for privacy, we do not comment on personal matters beyond this.”
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