wfn.org | Notes About People

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

26-April-1999 
99169 
 
    Notes About People 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
    On April 26, the "Dallas Morning News" reported that six women have 
accused retired former Presbyterian missionary the Rev. Bill Pruitt of 
molesting them 30 years ago in Africa.  All the accusers are daughters of 
people who worked with Pruitt in the mission field in Congo, then called 
the Belgian Congo. 
    The story was published despite a lack of confirmation by Grace 
Presbytery that judicial proceedings against Pruitt have begun.  Because 
all judicial proceedings in the PC(USA) are confidential, Grace Presbytery 
could neither confirm nor deny the existence of any specific investigation. 
    Pruitt, 87, left his missionary job in 1970 and was called as associate 
pastor at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, where he still 
worships. 
    Grace Presbytery executive presbyter the Rev. David Wasserman issued a 
statement in response to the "Dallas Morning News" report: 
    "For the last fifteen years, the church has more openly faced the 
painful reality of allegations  of clergy misconduct.  Like others within 
the religious community, the Presbyterian Church has been increasingly 
diligent in responding to all allegations.  It has adopted special 
policies, updated its Rules of Discipline and continues to affirm the 
belief that all allegations must be taken seriously and investigated in a 
timely, fair and confidential manner in order to protect the rights of all 
parties concerned. 
    "This is the commitment of Grace Presbytery.  Whenever someone files an 
allegation with the Stated Clerk, the presbytery is informed that such an 
allegation has been made, and we proceed according to the rules of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  We act in a timely way, that is as fair to 
all parties as is possible.  We act in a confidential manner and will not 
comment about any specific allegation against any particular minister. 
    "Once an allegation has been reviewed, judged and resolved, whatever is 
revealed to the presbytery through its official minutes is also understood 
to be available to the general public. When the presbytery completes its 
actions with respect to any investigation, I am available to comment on the 
issues raised." 
 
                                  # # # 
 
    Heidi Hadsell, the director of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) 
Ecumenical Institute in Bossey near Geneva, will return to Chicago upon 
completion of her leave of absence as dean of McCormick Theological 
Seminary. 
    Hadsell joined the Ecumenical Institute in August 1997 and has been 
instrumental in creating a Master's Degree Program for Bossey in 
association with the University of Geneva. 
    Hadsell became professor of Christian Social Ethics at McCormick 
Theological Seminary in 1988 and since 1994, until joining the WCC, was 
also vice-president for academic affairs at McCormick. She is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 
 
                                  # # # 
 
    The Rev. J. Richard Bass, former Presbyterian missionary to Mexico and 
longtime executive presbyter for Savannah Presbytery, died April 24, on St. 
Simons Island, Ga. 
    His death came the day before memorial services were held for his son, 
Richard Morgan Bass, who died April 14 in an automobile accident while 
traveling to St. Simons Island from Decatur, Ga., to visit the elder Bass. 
    Services were scheduled for April 27 at St. Simons Presbyterian Church 
and on April 28 at Blackshear Presbyterian Church in Blackshear, Ga. 
    Bass is survived by his wife Merri; two daughters, Dorothy 
Fannin of Fayetteville, Tenn., and Lois Greene of Henderson, Tenn.; a son, 
Henry W. ("Hank") Bass of Tallahassee, Fla.; and his mother, Willie Mae 
Bass of Lyons, Ga. 

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