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Top Southern Baptist official resigns, cites sexual abuse review

Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee, announced his departure on October 14 in a statement critical of recent decisions related to the third-party sexual abuse review that is getting underway. An investigative firm is looking into allegations that the executive committee mishandled abuse reports and mistreated survivors.

“Due to my personal integrity and the leadership responsibility entrusted to me, I will not and cannot any longer fulfill the duties placed upon me as the leader of the executive, fiscal, and fiducia­ry entity of the SBC,” said Floyd.

Members of the divided executive committee voted on October 5 to waive attorney-client privilege, agreeing to turn over legally protected records to investigators. Floyd had previously questioned whether such a waiver would violate the SBC’s bylaws. — Associated Press

Holly Meyer

Holly Meyer is the news editor for the Associated Press global religion team.

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