Why do I bring up Pastor Mark? Because when he left so abruptly no one would give an answer then. Not Dale, not council. Even Steveie Wonder knew something was going on, not necessarily sexual misconduct, but something was not right. For years people asked questions, that were never answered and chose to look the other way. Look at the debt your church is in now. You talk about retreats & outings that were chaperoned, a pedophile is way to smart to do anything in the light of day. Read the article, church basement, his home, his car, his office. I'm sorry, but people did ask questions about many things and were told it was not there concern. Council never backed the parishioners that asked the questions. Also, do you remember when you made your confirmation; you were made to go behind closed doors with Dale, one on one. If you're going to defend him, that is your right. Remember, this is no different than all the cases from the Catholic Church. Children that have been abused, do not know that they are being abused when they are told by their parents that this is a person who you trust and is a man of God.
REMK: Since it appears that you are quick to judge, Tell me, why did Pastor Mark leave as quickly as he did? I did not state that I was a practicing parishioner of Zion. I have just never pulled my letter for the sake of my elderly church abiding mother. My children who are long time grown and gone and my grandchildren, thank God, have absolutely nothing to do with Zion!
I have been a member of Zion Lutheran Church my entire life, my mother was baptized & confirmed at Zion. Today my mother is heart sick. Her children & grandchildredn were all baptized, confirmed & married by Pastor D.F Alber or D. Giffen. My children are of this age & they both, along with my niece & nephew knew instantly who the poor woman is without any doubt in their minds. I have always had mixed feelings about D. Giffen, but my mother was always so sure he was a good man, after all he was the "Pastor" of the church. I have had many people over the years say to me that D. Giffen informed them that he owed no explanation of anything to anyone and if they did not like it, leave. Many parishioners did leave. As the investigation goes on, I fear there is alot more to come from this sad situation. More than sexual misconduct. D. Giffen loved power, his arrogance was blatant. I applaud the Bishop. Too many times the victim becomes the criminal.
Former pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges
Why do I bring up Pastor Mark? Because when he left so abruptly no one would give an answer then. Not Dale, not council.
Even Steveie Wonder knew something was going on, not necessarily sexual misconduct, but something was not right.
For years people asked questions, that were never answered and chose to look the other way. Look at the debt your church is in now.
You talk about retreats & outings that were chaperoned, a pedophile is way to smart to do anything in the light of day. Read the article, church basement, his home, his car, his office.
I'm sorry, but people did ask questions about many things and were told it was not there concern. Council never backed the parishioners that asked the questions.
Also, do you remember when you made your confirmation; you were made to go behind closed doors with Dale, one on one.
If you're going to defend him, that is your right.
Remember, this is no different than all the cases from the Catholic Church.
Children that have been abused, do not know that they are being abused when they are told by their parents that this is a person who you trust and is a man of God.
February 20, 2009 at 8:16 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Former pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges
REMK: Since it appears that you are quick to judge, Tell me, why did Pastor Mark leave as quickly as he did? I did not state that I was a practicing parishioner of Zion. I have just never pulled my letter for the sake of my elderly church abiding mother. My children who are long time grown and gone and my grandchildren, thank God, have absolutely nothing to do with Zion!
February 20, 2009 at 6:33 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Former pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges
I have been a member of Zion Lutheran Church my entire life, my mother was baptized & confirmed at Zion.
Today my mother is heart sick. Her children & grandchildredn were all baptized, confirmed & married by Pastor D.F Alber or D. Giffen.
My children are of this age & they both, along with my niece & nephew knew instantly who the poor woman is without any doubt in their minds.
I have always had mixed feelings about D. Giffen, but my mother was always so sure he was a good man, after all he was the "Pastor" of the church.
I have had many people over the years say to me that D. Giffen informed them that he owed no explanation of anything to anyone and if they did not like it, leave. Many parishioners did leave.
As the investigation goes on, I fear there is alot more to come from this sad situation. More than sexual misconduct. D. Giffen loved power, his arrogance was blatant.
I applaud the Bishop. Too many times the victim becomes the criminal.
February 20, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. permalink suggest removal