Because a person has committed a crime -- for the rest of their lives they will never be able to live down their crime," he said. But, he said, even those guilty of their sins are deserving of forgiveness.
What if these words fell from the sugared lips of a man who had been charged with beating his wife, raping her, violating her with a foreign object, and then prevented her from seeking aid for her injuries? Would his words ring true or would he sound like a hypocrite?
And whose forgiveness are we talking about? God? His wife? His congregation? Or is he just trying to protect his job?
In an unexpected move, Matheney plead guilty to one count of misdemeanor battery.
He entered an Alford plea, under which a defendant admits no wrongdoing, but concedes they would be convicted by a jury if the case went to trial.
An Alford plea? No wrongdoing? Right - it was all about keeping his job or maintaining his status in the community.
Matheny maintained his innocence until the end - that is until he was found guilty. In one interview he raised the specter of politics driving his prosecution, but then admitted to punching his wife. How does one go from "They are just trying to bring me down" to I punched my wife... but she hit me first.
He acknowledges that they fought and that he twice punched her...
Why does anyone go to this man's church? I wonder what the sermon was today?
Logging you in...
Samantha Nelson · 866 weeks ago
In March/April 2007, I was a call-in guest on the Friendly Fire radio program. Rev. Matheney was the host. The topic was pastoral sexual abuse, as I am V.P. and co-founder (with my husband Steve) of an organization (The Hope of Survivors) that provides support for victims of pastoral sexual abuse. I recall Rev. Matheney being very engaging during the interview and supportive of the work The Hope of Survivors is doing.
To think that he was a guilty pastor at the time of those interviews, and that the interviews have been on our web site for over a year without our knowledge of his inexcusable behavior, is baffling, to say the least. The interviews have now been removed. Rather than interview me about The Hope of Survivors and the support we provide to victims, he should have asked for support for himself and his wife, as we also offer such to pastors and their wives.
The Hope of Survivors does NOT condone violence or abuse of any kind, not by any individual. I pray Ronald Matheney will be removed from the pulpit permanently and that justice will be served. May his congregation awaken to the fact that they have allowed themselves to be led by a wolf in sheep's clothing and repent for supporting a man who has so grossly misrepresented the character and nature of Christ.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Darlene, who not only had to endure abuse at home in silence and shame, but has now been forced to face open ridicule for exposing her pastor-husband's abusive behavior. May God vindicate and heal you speedily.
To the author of this blog, if you think it would be helpful to others, please add a link on your site to The Hope of Survivors web site so victims can find the help they need. The site is: http://www.thehopeofsurvivors.com
Thank you for your consideration.
Samantha Nelson