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An Open Letter to The Family from Some of
Your Children
January 19, 2005
Dear members of The Family International,
These past few days have been a very difficult and
painful time for all of us. We wish to offer our condolences to the family
and friends of Angela Smith, as well as to friends and family of Ricky
Rodriquez who are members of The Family.
There has been a great deal of media attention regarding
the circumstances of Ricky and Angela’s death, and we have been concerned
that issues may have been clouded by anger and pain. Ricky’s actions and
their deaths have come as a great shock to us as we know they must have
been to you also. Yet in the midst of this tragedy we have hope that
constructive solutions will come to bear over anger and grief.
It is extremely painful for those of us who knew and
loved Ricky to think of how deep his pain and despair must have been to be
driven to such extreme measures. None of us condone the violent actions
Ricky took. It’s so difficult to understand why this occurred and many of
us wonder if we could have done more to provide support and help for our
friend. It is our sincerest wish that we can promote healing and hope to
prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.
Many of us have parents and siblings who remain members
of The Family. We spent years of our lives growing up with you. We are not
nameless strangers. We are not the “enemy”, or the “Devil.” We are your
children and siblings. Many of us still believe in God, but many of us
were terribly hurt and abused while in The Family. We are suffering and
hurting as a result of this. We want to heal and break any potential
cycles of abuse. Will you help us?
While some of us have asked for this before, we want to clearly and
directly ask you now: Will the administrative arm of The Family
International, World Services, work with us and law enforcement agencies
to investigate the full extent of the abuse of children born and raised in
The Family? Will World Services cooperate with law enforcement officials
to identify abusers so that they can be held accountable for their
actions?
Our goal in asking this is not to cause unnecessary pain to Family
members. Nor do we want to hinder the good and charitable work for which
many are engaged. Many want to make the world a better place. We have no
desire to impede such efforts, nor to infringe on the fundamental right to
believe and practice ones religion, which does not harm others or impede
their fundamental freedoms.
We have read statements made by The Family’s spokesperson, Claire Borowik,
stating that The Family administrators are willing to cooperate with
authorities in investigating cases of abuse among its membership and
encourage their members to do so also. We are encouraged by that position
of The Family. We simply ask for that stated cooperation on behalf of The
Family in assisting us in bringing those responsible for abuses to us as
children forward and to justice. Thanks to the cooperation of The Family
administrative branch, we believe that innocent parties will certainly be
spared further unnecessary pain.
What we do hope to accomplish is to determine which individuals were
criminally involved in the abuse of second generation members and
ex-members and ensure that they are held accountable.
We do not wish to create a climate of hysteria that might distract from
this main purpose. There are many people in The Family, including some of
our own families and friends, who are innocent of any crime and were never
truly aware or involved in abusive activity. Those individuals have no
cause for concern.
Much of the worst abuse that we suffered occurred many years ago prior to
our departures from The Family. Nevertheless, the abusers are still
obligated to account for their actions. We encourage them to come forward
and take responsibility. This may be difficult and painful, but we
encourage them with the biblical promise that “He who conceals his sins
shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy”
(Proverbs 28:13). Now is their opportunity to come clean and take personal
responsibility for their actions and the harm that they have caused.
We believe that, broadly speaking, we have the same goals as many in The
Family. We want a better world with healing and justice. We have struggled
with deep wounds and pain for far too long. We believe that “the truth
will make us free” (John 8:32). Please, let’s work together to tell the
truth in this matter. Please help us to make things right.
Thank you for your time and attention.
With best wishes, we remain,
Very sincerely,
Your Children,
Signed:
Sarah M,
Caryn M,
John M,
John G,
Julia M,
Pamela M,
Francis F,
Lauren S,
Stephan S,
John L,
Autumn L,
Christina B,
John K,
Joni B,
AB,
Christina M,
Tim H,
Josh R,
J.M.,
Sarah W,
Vicky D,
Peter S,
S.L.
Chris G,
Paula N,
Chiyoko M,
John M,
Misty J,
Christina Z,
Andrew S,
Trish F,
Anne C,
James S,
Christian M,
L.B,
J.M,
B.C.
D.R.
Elixia M,
Chris L,
Mike G,
Jessie H,
Toru,
Erinn,
Daniel R,
Esmy M,
Sara C,
A.C,
Tim,
Jared M,
Lydia W,
Andrew M,
Nahchey S,
Y.H
Amanda D,
Claire F,
Eric C,
M. S.,
Marie Claire M,
Sam L,
Anique L,
Terry L,
Adam L,
Julia J,
Kristy L,
Theresa C,
Brent M R.B.,
Jonathan T,
Celine H,
Sara M,
Angela C,
W.L.,
Y.H.,
Lydia W,
David M,
Mike G,
S.S.,
D.B.,
Samuel S,
Holon R,
Carmel H,
Michael Tiago R.
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