How “Forgive and Forget” Buried a Church’s Dark Secret
Summary
ProPublica reporters Jessica Lussenup and Andy Mannix investigate systemic child sexual abuse within the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, sparked by prosecutor Mike Ryan’s concerns over a plea deal. They uncover a "forgive and forget" culture where church leaders suppressed allegations, enabling abusers like Clint Massey to evade accountability. The episode features victim Kyla Chamberlain and reveals how this insular doctrine protected predators across decades and multiple states, ultimately leading to Massey’s conviction and empowering survivors to break their silence.
Topics discussed
Introduction and content warning
Prosecutor Mike Ryan's tip about the OALC
The Massey case and the plea deal
Investigating the church culture
Kyla Chamberlain's childhood in the OALC
Kyla's abuse by Clint Massey
Police records reveal a pattern of silence
The 'Forgive and Forget' doctrine
Preacher Brucklemyer admits to knowing about abuse
Witnessing a church service
ProPublica and sponsor messages
National scope of the abuse scandal
Historical roots of the abuse in Scandinavia
Convicted abuser Carsey Ticka's sentencing
Clint Massey's sentencing and Kyla's reaction
Victims finding their voices
Credits and support for ProPublica
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