Pastor Michael Clare (Myspace), of the Harvest Worship Center International, was indicted on first degree rape charges after DNA linked him to the victim. The victim, a 12-year-old girl when the abuse started, became pregnant at age 15. Clare was originally arrested in June of 2010 on a lesser charge. Prosecutors say the Rev. Michael Clare has been indicted on first-degree rape and other charges. The pastor at Harvest Worship Center is being held on $50,000 bail. His lawyer's name was not immediately available.
Clare was arrested in June after the girl told her family about the relationship. He was originally charged with second-degree rape, but a grand jury increased the charges Friday.Clare is also the principal at Harvest Preparatory Academy. The victim was a member of his congregation. Clare is a native of Jamaica.
Analysis is difficult in this case as many of the facts have not yet made it to the press. However, one big factor to consider is the nature of Pastor Clare’s leadership at Harvest Worship Center. He was the head of the church and the school with little direct oversight of his activities or authority. As we know by now, this scenario is unwise. When you give spiritual authority to a pastor and he also holds the reins of power, abuse of some type is much more likely to follow
*** Update 2/1/2014
Pastor Michael Clare sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Rape,Pedophiles,Jamaica,The Bronx
