Southern Baptist Convention Enters Confidential Settlement in Alleged Abuse Lawsuit

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has entered into a confidential settlement with Gerald Duane Rollins Jr., who filed a $1 million lawsuit against the denomination in 2017. The case, filed in Harris County, Texas, alleges that Rollins was sexually abused by Paul Pressler for decades, beginning when he was 14 years old. The lawsuit also claims the SBC was complicit in concealing or enabling the abuse.

Pressler, a layman within the denomination, was influential in the 1970s and 1980s conservative shift of the SBC. He also served on the SBC’s executive committee. Rollins previously sued Pressler for assault in 2003, which was settled with Pressler agreeing to pay $1,500 per month for 25 years.

The SBC and its executive committee confirmed the settlement in a statement to the Texas Tribune, noting that they were “fully prepared” to proceed to trial. The trial had been postponed twice this year, with the most recent date set for February. The SBC cited several factors in favor of settlement, including the severity of the abuse allegations, the potential for counsel to confront abuse survivors, the denomination’s current financial condition, and the willingness of multiple insurance carriers to contribute.

The settlement also included claims against Jared Woodfill, the former chair of the Harris County GOP and Pressler’s longtime law partner, who is now running for the Texas House of Representatives. Earlier this year, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and its former president, Paige Patterson, also reached a settlement in the case. The suit alleged that the seminary and Patterson were liable due to their professional, personal, or denominational ties with Pressler and their role in concealing the abuse.

Patterson’s attorney stated that Patterson was grateful to be removed from the case, noting that no money was paid on his behalf or by him to have him non-suited. The SBC has been addressing the fallout from a 2022 report that highlighted systemic failures in handling abuse allegations.

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