Deep Thoughts: Pastor Michael Clare indicted

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Pastor Michael Clare indicted

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

Comments (30)

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Rhonda · 742 weeks ago

What a disgrace. I had an idea he was having sex with another female student at the age of 16, went to the school discussed it with the assistant principal and mother of the church and no one wanted to address it. What a DISGRACE... his entire staff should be investigated.. they knew he was having sex with this girl..

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Tisha · 742 weeks ago

The NY Daily News article that appeared yesterday mentions that DNA evidence is what caused the charges against him to be upgraded. I'm curious to know how this was going on for years reportedly and they only just now obtained DNA evidence against him? Did she in fact have the baby that he impregnated her with? Also I have to question where were this young girl's parents in all of this? ; or were they the typical 'church folk' who refused to believe anything bad about their Pastor? And what are these parents saying now that their daughter has become pregnant by their married Pastor? I pray for this girl's healing. She's dealt with a great deal at a young age and it sounds like no one cared enough to come to her aid any sooner.

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3 replies · active 741 weeks ago

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KAT · 741 weeks ago

I've attended two services at this church before and something didn't seem right. I felt as if I didn't belong there. Now I know exactly why, Let us not all cast stones because we are no better than the next man. Instead say a prayer for this young girl and also for God to have mercy on the Pastors soul. Because at the end of the day God is the only judge he will really have to answer to and I'm sure Pastor Clare is aware of this by now.

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John Williams · 741 weeks ago

Sure the allegations/accusations are ugly but in my opinion, where is the beef? I am anxious to learn how this dna evidence came into existence. I am always suspicious of the 'authorities' that be. Did they take his dna and fabricate this dna evidence from the ground up? or is there some sort of new reverse dna technology that can indict a suspect based on past remote events? or is this some sort of new psychic indictment? The dna evidence and the indictment are both highly suspect. I have done extensive research thus far and it seems that most arbortion clinics get rid of fetal remains (a bio harzard) unless the parties suggest research as an option. Another school of thought would be, its a legal requirement that arbortion clinics reserve fetal tissue samples especially when the patient is underage but even this does not hold true... as we all know that arbortion clinics always protect their subjects regarless of how pedophile they circumstances are. Frankly I am not convinced by the evidence presented by the DA's office thus far. We'll have to see what is presented in court.

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5 replies · active 718 weeks ago

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shannon · 741 weeks ago

This is a shame and frankly I hope they put his ass in jail. Michael Clare is a man of fakeness he preys on women and now little girls. He has children of his own with his third wife. Yes third wife. Wife number three light bulb should of went off in her head and say what happen to the others. What ever happens she deserves it too. How can you be next of a rapist who made a babu with someone else.

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1 reply · active 741 weeks ago

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travis palmer · 741 weeks ago

take the needle out ya own eyes
he is jus a man thats goin thruu his life
im not say if its true its right ,, but i know only god could judge so no woman / man of god should be against this man ,, especialy if you no him ,, just say a prayer and stick with him hes only stronger

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3 replies · active 741 weeks ago

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Madgie L · 741 weeks ago

It is real sad, but where were the parents over these 4 years while they were having this affair, did they close their eyes because he was their pastor or was showering down a whole heap of money on the family? Pray for the pastor and his family too and pray for the girl. We all sin daily and come short of the glory of God. "Ye who is without sin cast the first stone" We are all human and allow the flesh to over power us at times. Let's not condem the man but pray for him.

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1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Rhoda · 740 weeks ago

unbelievable - this child molester is back in the school around children. Anybody that allows his/her child to be subjected to such a person really need help!!
s

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Beloved · 740 weeks ago

You can't use the word of God to escape accountability. The scripture states we all HAVE sinned which is past tense. It is meant to show us that we are saved by grace not that we continue to live in sin. No, I don't sin everyday, but everyday I sin less when I put on the righteousness of God.

Maybe the parents where at work when it happened. Maybe the Pastor was friends with the family and they trusted that he would be a positive influence. It's possible that the incident happened during school hours. Nevertheless, the Pastor is well in his thirties and the girl in her early teens. The wife he has now is still a young girl too. It's clear he has a problem and prayer is good it helps us to forgive. However when a person shows you who they are you should believe them..

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3 replies · active 718 weeks ago

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concern parent · 739 weeks ago

I pray that God will allow this child to overcome this agony: if this is true, he should pay. As leaders and pastor we must uphold good christian values, principles and ethics. We must first lead by example and the only way to do so is to live what we preach and demonstrate good christian living governed by the word of God.
The parents are not off the hook, they should also be held accountable for this disaster. How can such relationship develop between a a minor for so long and they did not see what was happening. Wake up parents and let us do our job of parenting.

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1 reply · active 690 weeks ago

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Daisy · 690 weeks ago

why oh why are we blaming the parents? first of all, this man has, in the parents' and community's view, EARNED a position of trust; there is (supposed to be) a reason why he occupies this exalted position. there is no reason for them to suspect him. when their child is in his care (whether in school, church or otherwise), as far as they are concerned their child is with someone they trust as much as they trust each other. they are not searching for evidence of abuse. we do not assume that when our children come home from their regular hours of education, be it scholastic or religious, that they may have been abused. we trust that our educators are safe people to be with. this is precisely the reason that pedophiles in these positions are not found out over long periods of time. the only way for parents to know if their child is being abused by a man holding such a position is if they question their child specifically (and why would they?) or if their child tells them. their child has now told them. respect that and support the entire family.

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