A Richmond church is drawing criticism regarding an event it will hold days before Easter. Now even some pastors are backing out from participating. Cedar Street Baptist will feature Geronimo Aguilar as one of its special guests for Good Friday. Aguilar resigned as pastor of The Richmond Outreach Center following a child molestation indictment.
Its services are spirited and inspirational. That’s the same atmosphere leaders at Cedar Street plan on welcoming at its Good Friday service later this month. A flyer shows seven pastors were invited to attend.
Aguilar’s participation is drawing criticism from many in the community since he’s been indicted on child molestation charges in Texas.
“I sent word over to pastor chandler today, I’m not going to be able to participate,” Pastor Tyrone Nelson said.
He and Pastor Roscoe Cooper are also advertised on the flyer. Now, both say they’ve had a change of heart.
“As a result of me not necessarily knowing everything about the service as far as the service itself, I just won’t be able to participate this year,” Cooper said.
Now a state victims advocacy group is also asking the church to re-consider.
“You’re giving him the honor of speaking on one of the most holy days of the year…That hurts. That hurts those victims. It feels like ‘what about what I went through? Aren’t my feelings important?'” Becky Ianni of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
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SOURCE: NBC 12
Brent Solomon
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