“We advise victims of abuse to report, ask for help, and never cover up”

Evangelical entities in Spain are concerned about recent cases of abuse in church environments.

The Federation of Religious and Evangelical Entities of Spain (FEREDE) explained  in its recent general assembly the actions carried out around the case of the now dissolved Samaria church in the city of Terrassa (near Barcelona), where a series of alleged abuses took place that were denounced before the courts at the beginning of 2025.

FEREDE recently announced that, in addition to appear as a popular accusation, they have offered judicial assistance to the victims through the Evangelical Law Forum, a group of evangelical legal experts, linked to the Graduate Bible Groups (GBG, the area for professionals of Spain’s IFES movement, GBU). .

Spanish news website Protestante Digital interviewed Carolina Bueno, executive secretary of FEREDE, about how the federation deals with abuse cases.

Question. What is FEREDE's initial position on cases of abuse in churches?

Answer. As an evangelical body and based on its ethics, principles and biblical values, FEREDE's position on abuse of any kind is one of absolute rejection. Any form of abuse and violence is contrary to the Gospel in which we believe in and proclaim, and is an attack and violation of the dignity of the people who suffer it.

That is why we have a clear position of zero tolerance towards it and take action to protect and support the victims to the best of our ability.

If the abuse is exercised by pastors or church leaders, the situation is even more serious and sad, since the role of a pastor is to preach the Gospel and to protect, care for, guide and seek the spiritual growth of the people in his congregation.

Pastors and church leaders must follow the leadership model of Jesus Christ, with great authority, humility, service and love, without a hint of manipulation, aggression or abuse.

I think it is necessary to say that most evangelical pastors in Spain do so, and dedicate their lives to caring for others, sometimes at great sacrifice.

When there is a very serious situation like the one in the church of Samaria, there is a great commotion that shames and scandalizes all of us who call ourselves evangelical Christians.

We must denounce and take action, but also remember that these events are exceptional and in no way representative of all the pastors and evangelical churches in our country, whose spiritual, social and community work is of great value to our society.

Q. What actions does FEREDE take when it is warned of a case of abuse?

A. When FEREDE receives a complaint or a communication about a case of abuse or other criminal or unethical behaviour, FEREDE's Regulatory Compliance and Crime Prevention Plan and its Code of Conduct (all in force since 2019) are activated, with measures, procedures and guidelines that allow us to prevent and respond to undesirable and criminal conduct that may occur.

The issue is referred to our ethics channel. Then, a file is opened and an investigation phase begins, to find out or clarify what happened, and the process ends with the decision of the Standing Committee of the Federation.

When the matter concerns an offence committed by an official, worker or collaborator of FEREDE, our protocol foresees the steps to be taken, and a disciplinary measure could be adopted, which could range from a verbal reprimand to the termination of the position or dismissal in the case of contracted workers.

“Never normalise the abuse, violence or manipulation, never hide or cover up what has happened”

If the facts reported or denounced could constitute a crime, the recommendation would always be to go to the police and the courts, since FEREDE has neither the capacity nor the mission to investigate or judge crimes. If possible and necessary, FEREDE itself would go to the Police to report the facts.

If the matter reported or denounced has occurred in a church, the action is more complicated, since FEREDE cannot impose decisions or concrete measures, since it has the obligation to respect the absolute autonomy of that church. It can offer advice, counselling, mediation, and, if what is reported may constitute a crime, the person will be advised to report the matter to the police and the courts.

If the alleged abuse or offence is committed by a pastor, our advice will also always be to go to the police and the courts, and we can support and advise on the filing of such a complaint.

If that pastor is registered with FEREDE as a minister of worship, a file would be opened and an assessment would be made as to whether his credentials should be withdrawn, which is what FEREDE grants and therefore has the power to withdraw, when there is very clear evidence of serious misconduct.

It is important to bear in mind that these issues are very complex, and must be handled very carefully, with privacy and confidentiality, and taking into account the principle of presumption of innocence.

In some cases, as in a ruling we learned of this week, the judiciary has dismissed the complaint of an alleged victim of sexual abuse against the pastor of an evangelical church for absolute lack of evidence after a long process in which the church and its pastors were exposed to a parallel media trial.

Q. What advive would you give to anyone who may be suffering or perceiving a situation of abuse in their churches?

A. It is very difficult to give a general response to situations that can be so delicate and diverse, as it depends on the particular case.

In any case, the general recommendation is to share the concern or the situation you are experiencing or perceiving with wise and mature people within the church itself, or outside it, with other pastors and leaders, or other people of reference, in order to compare opinions, ask for advice on the steps to take and for help in taking action.

If criminal behaviour is involved, legal advice should be sought and the facts should be reported to the police, never covered up. The victim should always be advised to seek the necessary spiritual, emotional and psychological support and help. Never normalise the abuse, violence or manipulation, never hide or cover up what has happened. And also look for ways to support and help others who may be suffering the same situation.

Q. Is there any kind of protocol that FEREDE recommends to prevent situations of abuse in churches?

A. In addition to having its own protocol, years ago FEREDE developed a specific protocol for churches that includes a series of good practices, systems of accountability and transparency and measures to prevent all types of crimes, especially economic and sexual crimes.

“Protocols are available to churches, and we encourage them to request and apply them”

Those protocols are available to churches, and we encourage them to request and apply them. FEREDE is willing to help in adapting them to the characteristics of the church and in their implementation. We have already done so with some churches.

Furthermore, since October 2024, FEREDE is organising an interdenominational Forum of Reflection to be held in November of this year, for evangelical pastors and leaders, on the theme ‘Evangelical churches: safe spaces free from violence against women and children’.

The Forum aims to jointly express a clear and strong position of the evangelical church in Spain against all forms of violence and abuse, especially against the most vulnerable people in society, including women and children.

It also seeks to provide church leaders and workers with information, tools and resources to learn how to prevent violence against women and children, how to detect it and how to intervene in such situations with success and wisdom.

There will also be space to reflect on the important role that churches, church leaders and church leaders play in preventing abuse and violence, and the positive influence they can have, encouraging us to take the initiative and become agents of individual, family, church and societal transformation with the help and power of God.