Massachusetts DSS scrutinizes Mount Calvary Baptist Church in abuse

[Ian David]

By Michele McPhee
Boston Herald Police Bureau Chief
Thursday, May 17, 2007 - Updated: 04:52 AM EST

The Department of Social Services is launching a sweeping investigation into Mount Calvary Baptist Church in the South End for not reporting allegations of sexual abuse made against one its ministers, and to make sure there are no additional victims.

“The special investigations unit is strongly investigating the Mount Calvary church,” said DSS spokeswoman Denise Monteiro. “We want to be sure there are no other victims, and we want to know why no report was made.”

The move comes a day after the Herald disclosed that DSS lost track of three reports in May 2005 - including a call the accused predator, the Rev. Lawrence Brown, made to a DSS hot line, according to documents reviewed by the Herald. Another 18 months would elapse before DSS was again notified of the alleged abuse, after the accuser, P. Edward Harrison, became suicidal and had to be hospitalized on Oct. 31, 2006.

Those reports were filed by officials at the Emmanuel Gospel Center in the South End, where Brown worked as a youth minister for more than a decade. He was fired in May 2005 after he allegedly confessed to inappropriate sexual conduct with Harrison, his second cousin, who belonged to Mount Calvary Baptist. Brown allegedly acknowledged his sexual misconduct to Doug Hall, the gospel center’s president, and to certain officials at Mount Calvary Baptist.

The Mount Calvary Baptist officals did not report the alleged abuse. Brown was reinstated as a minister this year after he was treated at Living Waters, a “Christ-centered program” for clergy dealing with sexual problems.


Deliver us from evil
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Rev. Larry Brown of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in the South End.

More:
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=1001679