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LEXINGTON, MO -
Three of the five men charged with sex crimes against children are lay ministers in the Community of Christ Church based in Independence, Mo.
Community of Christ spokesperson Linda Booth said Burrell Mohler, Sr., David Mohler and Jared Mohler are lay ministers in the church but are not in positions of leadership.
The church released a statement on Wednesday afternoon that said:
"Leaders and members of the Community of Christ in the Greater Kansas City area are prayerfully upholding those families that are touched by the recent arrests of five members of the Mohler family.
"The church takes seriously the allegations that have been made and has suspended the priesthood licenses of three lay ministers: Burrell Mohler Sr., David Mohler, and Jared Mohler. Lay ministers are volunteers who do not receive compensation for their service or ministry from the Community of Christ.
"None of these three lay ministers served in leadership roles in the congregations that they attended, nor did they serve as volunteer youth workers, teach children or youth church school, or work with children or youth. The Community of Christ has a strict code of ethics concerning those who work with children and youth and requires that they be registered as youth workers. Only one of these three men is registered to work with children and youth, and his youth worker registration has been terminated. The other two men are not registered or sanctioned to work with children or youth in the Community of Christ."
Spokesperson Linda Booth also said, Burrell Mohler Sr., had to register to volunteer with children.
"Burrell Mohler Sr. went through the registration of Youth Worker Program," she said. "His youth worker registration has been terminated, and we understand that he has had no connection with children or youth in any programs in his congregation."
Though the church says that the Mohlers were not in leadership roles in their congregations, members in Bates City said Burrell Mohler Sr., gave the sermon twice in 2009, the last time on Father's Day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Community of Christ spokesperson Linda Booth said Burrell Mohler, Sr., David Mohler and Jared Mohler are lay ministers in the church but are not in positions of leadership.
The church released a statement on Wednesday afternoon that said:
"Leaders and members of the Community of Christ in the Greater Kansas City area are prayerfully upholding those families that are touched by the recent arrests of five members of the Mohler family.
"The church takes seriously the allegations that have been made and has suspended the priesthood licenses of three lay ministers: Burrell Mohler Sr., David Mohler, and Jared Mohler. Lay ministers are volunteers who do not receive compensation for their service or ministry from the Community of Christ.
"None of these three lay ministers served in leadership roles in the congregations that they attended, nor did they serve as volunteer youth workers, teach children or youth church school, or work with children or youth. The Community of Christ has a strict code of ethics concerning those who work with children and youth and requires that they be registered as youth workers. Only one of these three men is registered to work with children and youth, and his youth worker registration has been terminated. The other two men are not registered or sanctioned to work with children or youth in the Community of Christ."
Spokesperson Linda Booth also said, Burrell Mohler Sr., had to register to volunteer with children.
"Burrell Mohler Sr. went through the registration of Youth Worker Program," she said. "His youth worker registration has been terminated, and we understand that he has had no connection with children or youth in any programs in his congregation."
Though the church says that the Mohlers were not in leadership roles in their congregations, members in Bates City said Burrell Mohler Sr., gave the sermon twice in 2009, the last time on Father's Day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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