Stafford minister jailed for sex with boy in '80s

fredericksburg.com ^ | 05.28.08 | KEITH EPPS

[Coleus]

A Stafford County minister went to jail yesterday after admitting that he molested a teenage boy more than 20 years ago. The Rev. George O. Lowe, 71, pleaded guilty in Stafford Circuit Court to two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Seven other charges were dropped.

His bond was revoked and Lowe is expected to remain in jail at least until he is sentenced in August. Lowe was the pastor at Mount Hope Baptist Church in Stafford for 43 years until he was removed after being indicted earlier this year.

According to prosecutor Eric Olsen, the molestation took place in 1984 and 1985 at the church. The boy, whose family attended Lowe's church, was supposed to be getting counseling from Lowe. Olsen said Lowe repeatedly touched the boy's private parts and performed oral sex on him. The victim said the abuse occurred at least 20 times.

Olsen said the victim reported the incidents to his family and to a deacon in the church several years later, and a meeting with Lowe was arranged. Lowe quoted Scripture during that meeting regarding Christians not taking other Christians to court, Olsen said.

The victim later went to Sheriff's Office, Olsen said, but Lowe denied the allegations and police determined there was not enough evidence to bring charges. The case was closed, but was reopened last year by Detective Don Lenhart.

Lenhart got the victim to wear a wire and talk to Lowe about what had occurred years before. During the taped conversation, Lowe said he was sorry about what had happened and that God had already punished him. Olsen said Lenhart took the tape to Lowe, who confessed.

The victim yesterday said that he was happy that Lowe is finally being held accountable for his actions. The man said he's had a lot of problems in life, including drug and alcohol abuse, a suicide attempt, a failed marriage and prison. He believes Lowe's actions were a contributing factor.

"For more than 20 years I've been waiting to get this over with," the man said. "He betrayed my family's trust in the worst possible way, and now the blame can be put where it belongs." Lowe will be facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when he is sentenced. He will be eligible for parole because the crimes occurred before Virginia's no-parole system took effect.

[NRA2BFree]

It would appear that satan is working overtime in the Christian church.

[John Leland 1789]

Helps to demonstrate that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” — ALL of us AND our ministers.

Also helps to demonstrate why no church members of any church anywhere should consider the leaders of their churches infallible, or that they have some kind of immunity to the affects of the sinful nature, no matter what position those leaders might hold.

[Judith Anne]

This article also helps to demonstrate that Protestants as well like to cover up their ministers’ crimes for decades.

I think I remember a professed Presbyterian stating unequivocally that protestants always promptly arrest and prosecute these monsters.

[Mentos]

How could a boy be in his eighties?

[porter_knorr]

So there is an agenda here....

What a waste of time to have to say “you guys do it too” instead of just feeling sad and angry that it happens at all.

[David Isaac]

One case, one time, does that mark an epidemic? Did this church systematically, from the top to the bottom, commit and cover-up this monstrous crime?

When equating (equivocating) it is better to have both sides be somewhat equal.

[johniegrad]

OK.

[John Leland 1789]

One man able to keep his sins covered for 20+ plus years does not translate into any church or denomination covering anything up, and I would say that even for the Catholic priests who get caught. We know nothing about the church the perp was running, whether it is subject to any outside organization, or whether the church people (congregations probably changed at least once in a twenty year period, except perhaps 15%). We don't know the size of that congregation.

It probably would have been wise to ask this man to step down the first time the police investigated, and that for the sake of the testimony of the church. Our knowledge of the case is too sketchy. The church did dismiss him at the time he was indited.

I don't see any indication in the article that the man was a Protestant, either — I say that for the Protestants, since you brought it up.

[John Leland 1789]

I think some states have greatly extended the Statute of Limitations on sex crimes; perhaps some have eliminated them altogether — not sure.

[Alas Babylon!]

Lowe was the pastor at Mount Hope Baptist Church in Stafford for 43 years until he was removed after being indicted earlier this year.

I would say a baptist is a protestant.

[John Leland 1789]

“I would say a baptist is a protestant.”
*********************************
So would many say. And there might be some Baptists who even identify themselves as such. But most Baptists who study history and understand their heritage would not.

The article does not state anything about “Protestant,” so we would not make the assumption that the New Hope Baptist Church in Stafford is a “Protestant” church.

[WVKayaker]

It would appear that satan is working overtime in the Christian church.

The church? One man is not a church!

I will rephrase and provide a more proper description...

It would appear that satan is working overtime in the Christian church as always in the hearts of unrepentant sinners.

To most of us, homosexual behavior is just another sin. It ranks pretty high on the distasteful list, but it is just sin. So is hate, as is envy, so is extramarital sex. Blaming any group for the actions of one is simply wrong. We are all prone to sin. That is the very reason Jesus died, and why we trust His Grace to prevail.

Sin is defined as "missing the mark". The best analogy is the bullseye target. Anything not perfectly centered (in God's will ) is sin.

Pray for the sinner to realize his sin, don't just criticize him. His church did drop the ball when they left him to continue in his role as pastor, according to my understanding of Scripture...

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

From what I read (almost daily) there are many more "TEACHERS" (of both genders) molesting students than there are priest/ministers/rabbis (Moozlimbs Imanms are exempt as they follow the teaching of an avowed pedophile, Mooohamed)and yet we have not seen any hue and cry against the educational establishment much less law suits such as those which prevail across the US today against the clergy.

Why is it that only those molested by (predominantly) men of the cloth are traumatized for life and decades later, bring charges against their attackers.

Why is that I ask rhetorically? It can't possibly be for any financial gain, I'm certain. /s

[MuttTheHoople]

This goes to show we must NEVER put ministers on a pedestal. They are people like you and me. At my church here near Byram, MS, I love and respect all the ministers at my church. However, I ALWAYS keep my vigilance concerning anything they might do and say. So far, they’ve earned my trust and not only respect my vigilance but really call for it (no minister in the same room with another woman not his wife alone, no “private counseling sessions”, no long trips together, etc.)

[Judith Anne]

What a waste of time to have to say “you guys do it too” instead of just feeling sad and angry that it happens at all.

When we Catholics expressed sadness and anger that it happened at all, protestants were quick to pin loud blame on the Catholic Church's policies and procedures, call for the Church to allow married priests, and tar all priests with the same brush.

So, some might feel it's a waste of time to say "You guys do it too," I for one do not.

So far, not a lot of posts condemning the minister, hoping he rots in jail, blaming the church rules for the abuse, or volunteering vigilanteeism. I'll just wait.

[porter_knorr]

Well I hope you enjoy your quest at showing it happens on all ends. I must have missed the posts celebrating the matter.