As read in the Courthouse News Service, a woman has filed a lawsuit naming the United Methodist Church for its failure to protect her from a pastor that adopted her, molested her, impregnated her – and has recounted the years of sexual abuse she endured while still under 18 years of age.
The plaintiff, known as Jane Doe in the suit, claimed that Pastor K.G. forced her to have two abortions – after he impregnated her both times – and was briefly married to her from 2009 to 2011 after divorcing his wife. He filmed their sexual activities while she was a minor, told his congregations that she was his granddaughter, and, one child that Doe did give birth to, was explained as K.G.’s great-grandchild.
The suit seeks over $25 million in damages from K.G. and the Texas delegation of the United Methodists Church. The suit was filed in Harris County Court alleging that the church knew of K.G.’s “inappropriate contact and relationships with female members” and chose to relocate him each time instead of removing him.
The complaint, 20 pages in length, states, “Sometime in 2000, Pastor (K.G.) while a pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Port Arthur, of the Southeast District first met plaintiff Jane Doe at the age of 10 years along with her seven other siblings. Plaintiff's maternal grandmother was a member of the church at the time. Pastor (K.G.) began counseling plaintiff who had just lost her mother and became a confidant of the plaintiff. Pastor (K.G.) won her trust through these meetings and/or counseling sessions. Pastor (K.G.) during this time told plaintiff that he and his wife wanted to adopt her. Shortly thereafter, Pastor (K.G.) was appointed pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas of the West United District.”
In 2002, per Doe, the church was aware that K.G. had an affair with a church member from his Port Arthur congregation, and instead of removing him they appointed him to Huntsville’s St. Paul United Methodist Church.
In 2003 K.G. had another affair – this time with a married woman from the Huntsville congregation.
The church failed a second time to investigate the matter.
The complaint continued, “Sometime between 2003 and 2005 plaintiff began visiting Pastor (K.G.) and his wife in Huntsville ...with the thought that she would someday be adopted by the (K.G.) family…. Sometime in 2003 plaintiff, at the age of 14 went to Huntsville, Texas to live there until she was adopted. Pastor (K.G.) began to sexually abuse Jane Doe, plaintiff, on multiple occasions and at multiple locations. ... This sexual abuse continued over many years.”
In 2006, per Doe, while on a church-sponsored trip to Jamaica members of the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Port Arthur reported K.G.’s “inappropriate contact” with Doe.
Both the church, and then district Supervisor, G.F., failed to report the information to authorities.
Damages are sought for childhood sexual abuse, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and conspiracy.
If a member of the clergy has abused you contact a personal injury lawyer for discreet help. A monetary award for your injuries, and long-overdue justice, may be just around the corner.