A multitude of swirling clouds in Jupiter’s dynamic North: North Temperate Belt
“There is one thing that has disappeared, not just from the U.S. but from the entire world, is the idea of ever being embarrassed by anything.” ―
There will be two short posts tonight.
Paul Warren
I received the following comment at TWW under Well Done, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church! Churches: This Is How to Handle Sex Abuse Allegations.In that post, LMPC names Paul Warren as the alleged molester of several accusations of molestation when he was a youth intern at the church 35 years ago. They have called in G.R.A.C.E. to investigate. I also wrote the pastor at LMPC and commended him for his actions in this matter and received a nice note back. I’m sure he was relieved. Most times people see my name on an email and get queasy feelings in their stomachs.
I confirmed what he/she had to say when I Googled Paul Warren’s name and found he is the pastor of Abbott Church, also known as Abbott Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland.The two names for the same church is a bit confusing but I’m sure there is a reason.
Paul Warren appears to be the only pastor at the church. Here is a screen shot of the posted bio that I think will not be able to be seen in the near future.
I find it interesting that he did not mention his time at LMPC. I noticed he was also a soccer coach around that time. As we have learned: youth sports, the former Boy Scouts, and churches are often the targets of molesters.
I downloaded a bulletin from the May 24th sermon that seems to indicate that he preached the sermon.
I decided to give the church a call to see if they had prepared a statement at 410-276-6207 which is the number on the website. I got a recording of Paul Warren saying that one may locate any information which is need on the website. There was no opportunity to leave a message. So, I went over to Facebook page of Abbott Memorial Presbyterian Church to see if I could leave a message there. I noticed that there were no posts there since March.
Earlier today, I tried to access the Facebook page for Abbott Church and found it fuzzed out. This afternoon, clicking on the link to that Facebook page, brings one directly to the church website. I also sent an inquiry through their Connect page.
Assessment:
I believe that the church, as well as Paul Warren, are aware of the allegations and are not taking phone calls or answering emails until a statement or decision is made.
JUAN
The church was established in 1882 as the Abbott Chapel (with Welsh/English services). I found references to it being called Abbott Chapel and Abbott Mem over a century ago (and Abbott Chapel as early as 1885). It is named for Horace Abbott owner of the Abbott Iron Mills in Baltimore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Abbott) who died in 1887. So my guess is it was originally “Abbott Chapel” after the person who donated a lot of money for it and renamed “Abbott Memorial” after his death (and some memorial donations) and has used both those names ever since (with chapel becoming church at some point within the first 25 years with some overlap of both chapel and church being used).
Though Paul Warren has been accused he has not yet had a chance to answer that accusation and whether guilty or innocent should, if wise, take a few days to think before doing so.
Erp,
Thank you for the great history.
I suspect he has known for awhile that this was coming.
According to the letter in the previous post, his presbytery was informed of the allegations last October, so both they and he have had plenty of time to form a response. Why has he continued to preach since then?
I will note that Abbott Church is in zip code 21224 which has had 888 known cases of Covid-19 out of a total population of about 50,000 (one of the hardest hit zip codes in Maryland). It straddles the boundary of Baltimore County which has had 320 known deaths and Baltimore City which has had 236 known deaths.
This may be irrelevant, but it strikes me as a bit odd that four brothers would be appointed to the same service academy. I believe that admission to a service academy is typically through appointment by a member of Congress. Four Naval cadets from the same family strikes me as a very low probability event and I wonder what the back-story might be. Probably there is no connection to the primary concern of the post.
Unusual but it did happen. https://navysports.com/sports/mens-water-polo/roster/carpenter-warren/8536
My guess is good athletes, good students, and some connections. I suspect a more common reason for multiple siblings going to a military academy would be children of medal of honor recipients (they bypass the nomination process).
My guess? He’s going to deny he did anything wrong
Erp,
Interesting.
I hadn’t though about that.Baltimore is not too far away from the Naval Academy. Perhaps they have members attend the church with connections.
Either that or it will be claimed that since all are wretched ‘sinners’, Warren is NO DIFFERENT, and has been ‘restored’ ‘Biblically’.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat,
Lather, Rinse, Repeat,
Lather, Rinse, Repeat,
Lather, Rinse, Repeat,
Lather, Rinse, Repeat,
Lather, Rinse, Repeat,
Lather, Rinse, Repeat…
I am confused as to why Look Up Mountain Presbyterian Church did not not contact law enforcement and allow the proper authorities to investigate these allegations .
Maybe they did but I have not seen this anywhere .
Statue of limitations had long run out. The police would not investigate anyways.