The Southern Baptist Convention has reached a confidential settlement in a case that has shone a spotlight on the issue of sexual abuse within its ranks. The lawsuit filed by Duane Rollins against former Southern Baptist leader Paul Pressler, now 93, has concluded, wrapping up a legal battle that began in 2017 and exposed allegations of decades-long sexual misconduct.
Rollins, who stepped forward with claims that he was raped by Pressler starting at the age of 14, spurred not only the lawsuit but also a wider inquiry into the prevalence of such abuses in the Southern Baptist community. The settlement comes ahead of a trial set to kick off in February, after delays earlier in the year. Rollins' allegations were central to the “Abuse of Faith” series by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, which, according to the publications, have led to significant reforms within the nation's second-largest faith group and an ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice.
Alongside the SBC, other defendants in the lawsuit include Jared Woodfill, a former chair of the Harris County GOP and Pressler's longtime law partner. According to KSAT, Rollins accused them of enabling or concealing Pressler’s behavior. While the details of the settlement remain under wraps, legal representatives for the Southern Baptist Convention acknowledged the "horrendous nature of the abuse allegations," and their decision to settle was influenced in part by a desire to avoid retraumatizing abuse survivors in court.
Michael Goldberg, attorney for Rollins, conveyed satisfaction with the settlement against the Southern Baptist Convention and Woodfill, citing it as 'mutually satisfactory terms.' Meanwhile, the allegations against Pressler spanned back four decades, unveiling a disturbing pattern of alleged sexual misconduct. Pressler, who played an integral role in the SBC's conservative shift and holds significant influence within Southern Baptist and conservative political circles, has consistently denied the allegations. His attorney has not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the recent settlement.
Woodfill, who is now running for a seat in the Texas House, has refuted any wrongdoing, stating just this week that he had not agreed to any settlement, despite what court documents suggest. In a text message on Thursday, he conveyed his intention to continue to "fight the insurance company and oppose any payment." The lawsuit's outcomes have broader implications, marking a victory for sexual abuse victims, particularly in the context of the statute of limitations, which the Texas Supreme Court addressed favorably in Rollins' case, setting new legal precedents in the state.
