#MeToo in the spotlight as Baptists convene

DALLAS » The Southern Baptist Convention opened its annual national meeting Tuesday in an anxious mood as the denomination’s all-male leadership grappled with the fallout of multiple sexual misconduct cases.

With virtually no opposition, delegates at the meeting adopted resolutions condemning any sexual misconduct by SBC ministers, urging more action to prevent “all forms of abuse,” and encouraging abuse victims to contact civil authorities to seek protection and support.

In a late addition to the program, the SBC announced that Vice President Mike Pence would address the meeting Wednesday. In Tuesday’s opening session, a delegate from Virginia, Garrett Kell, sought to cancel Pence’s address and replace it with a time of prayer, but the motion was defeated.

“Many of our minority brothers and sisters will be especially hurt by this invitation,” said Kell, who warned the SBC against associating with any particular administration holding power in Washington.