Southern Baptist Entities Named on Amicus Brief in Kentucky Abuse Case Draw Criticism

An amicus brief filed with the Kentucky Supreme Court in April drew sharp criticism within the Southern Baptist Convention after the Louisville Courier-Journal reported on it Wednesday, Oct. 25. The brief addresses a civil case involving Sean Jackman, a member of the Louisville Metro Police Department who was convicted in 2020 of molesting his daughter over a period of years. Jackman’s father, Rick Jackman, and Linda Thompson, identified as Sean Jackman’s former lieutenant, are also named as defendants in the ongoing suit. The plaintiff, who is the daughter, alleges that Thompson not only knew about the abuse but participated in it, according to the report. Rick Jackman is a former LMPD member, and the Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Government is an additional appellant.

Four entities signed the brief: Lifeway Christian Resources, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Executive Committee of the SBC (EC), and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The brief says the organizations “have a strong interest in the statute-of-limitations issue presented in this appeal” because they are named in a separate civil action pending in a Kentucky circuit court. That action involves allegations of childhood sexual abuse dating back to 2003.

The central legal question concerns a 2021 amendment to Kentucky law, passed by the General Assembly, that extended the statute of limitations for filing tort claims against “non perpetrator third parties.” The 10-page brief argues that “the 2021 Amendments, however, do not contain any language suggesting that this revision was intended to apply retroactively at all, let alone to revive claims after the previously applicable limitations period has expired.” It also contends that “reviving expired claims against non-perpetrator third parties would violate Kentucky Supreme Court precedent,” and argues that a defendant who had lost the incentive to preserve evidence should not face revived stale claims.

Criticism spread quickly online after the Louisville report. A joint statement from SBC sexual abuse survivors called the filing a “drastic stance” and said it was “to absolutely stab survivors in the back.” A statement from “Leaders, Advisors and Advocates in the Southern Baptist Convention” said the brief was made “without our knowledge and without our approval” and that it “[does] not represent our values and position.” Many social media posts from Southern Baptists, including several from Executive Committee members, condemned the brief and complained that such a step was taken without input from trustees.

Responding to the controversy, an unnamed Executive Committee official said that questions of law involving “significant constitutional and legal questions” must be referred to legal counsel. “We respect the rule of law and must work through the process with legal representation, who must speak for us in this case,” the official said. Baptist Press reported that a response from the Executive Committee was expected Friday, Oct. 27.

Survivors’ advocates have made protecting the vulnerable the central point of their objection to the filing (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Source: Read the original report