Phil Snyder, a whistleblower and former member of Tenth Presbyterian (PCA) church in Philadelphia, Pa., who achieved widespread recognition after the church tried to silence him via fabricated civil claims that Snyder was threatening members of the congregation, has issued a statement calling on Wheaton College president Phil Ryken to resign. Ryken previously served as Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian.
In an email sent earlier today to almost 800 Wheaton College alumni, faculty, and staff, Snyder said:
When Phil Ryken was senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, he covered-up the naked beatings of male college students by the music minister, Paul Jones. In addition, crimes against minors were committed by pastor Carroll Wynne. Furthermore, it appears that Phil Ryken’s wayward ways have continued at Wheaton College, as with Christopher Lapeyre, for example. Finally, I know that some of you are victims as well; it is time to rise up and make your voices heard. We are demanding that Phil Ryken immediately resign or be fired.
Here is the GRACE investigation/report, which documents the crimes of Paul Jones and Carroll Wynne. Phil Ryken is the former leader or “FL” who knew what Paul Jones had done and also the pastor who went to his residence.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/158bXZoFc6rjquViEzg9usuJk7Poso4Yd/view?usp=sharing
Sincerely,
Phil Snyder, Whistleblower
P.S. For more information, please see my blog.
Problems at Tenth transcend Phil Ryken
Unfortunately, issues at Tenth Presbyterian transcend Ryken’s departure, and continue to this day.
In addition to the perjurious/criminal efforts by the church to silence Snyder in a civil court, a recent investigation by anti-abuse group GRACE identified multiple incidents of sexual, spiritual, and relational abuse at the church.
And while the resulting GRACE report did not identify most of the alleged perpetrators, a clear pattern emerged of a feckless, dishonest church Session and elders, who collaborated to shield Ryken’s successor, Liam Goligher, and other abusers from accountability.
While Goligher eventually pleaded guilty in church disciplinary proceedings to adult sexual abuse and other offenses, he has faced no criminal charges or accountability in the civil courts.
Additionally, many of the elders who supported Goligher’s corruption remain in authority at Tenth, including George McFarland, who offered perjurious testimony against Snyder in court.
Tellingly, Session also has consistently opposed even rudimentary safeguards against abuse, including running background checks on key church personnel.
It was, however, a background check, conducted by Anglican Watch, that brought to light Goligher’s criminal conviction for sexual abuse of an adult female church member.
To date, Tenth Presbyterian has done nothing to address its moral failings and criminal conduct, including its perjury towards Snyder. Instead, the church opted for a lame “confession,” offered at a recent meeting, in which so-called leaders blamed most of the church’s failings on Goligher.
In other words, the church has opted for impression management, versus
Meanwhile, the church has set up a task force to help restore Goligher, while ignoring the needs of its many victims. Further, Tenth and its leadership remain unrepentant over their sinful treatment of Snyder.
What’s next
While Anglican Watch has not investigated all of the claims in Snyder’s call for Ryken’s resignation, we believe the evidence is convincing that Ryken knew of abuse at Tenth.
Moreover, as we have previously stated, Ryken’s not off the hook if he didn’t know about the allegations. As senior minister. Ryken had an obligation to know what was going on in the church and to protect those he purported to serve.
We therefore are deeply troubled that Ryken is now in a leadership position at Wheaton College, where he is responsible for the welfare of impressionable, college-aged adults.
And if his skills were not adequate to address abuse at Tenth, how on earth can Ryken safeguard a much larger group of college students? And why is nothing yet being done to care for victims of abuse at Tenth?
Thus, Anglican Watch endorses calls for Ryken’s immediate resignation or removal from office. We intend to take further steps to support Snyder and other whistleblowers at Tenth.
Furthermore, we reiterate our call for Tenth to repent of its criminal conduct towards Snyder. This must include:
- The resignation of corrupt George McFarland and the other elders.
- A public, written apology to Snyder.
- Financial restitution to Snyder.
To be clear: We recognize that admitting to criminal conduct is not an easy thing, and may expose Tenth and its leadership to penalties, up to and including possible imprisonment. But it is not possible for Tenth to truthfully claim to be Christian if it cannot own up to its past transgressions, especially during this penitential season of Lent.
In closing, let’s just say Tenth is in pretty sorry shape when us Episcopalians have to call folks there to repent.
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