Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Sherrill holds a B.A. Sinclair accuses Spera of sexually abusing him at least 40 different times and giving out free candy, grades that did not reflect Sinclair's academic performance and inappropriate gifts such as a video game console. Have a news tip? In cases of negligence, the victim and their family may have grounds for a lawsuit against the school. Schools are meant to be safe environments for children, Barry said. When the victim was in seventh or eighth grade, on a school-sponsored trip to Florida with CFS baseball team members, Rowley walked in on the victim while he was showering, according to the complaint. | (Photo: Facebook/World Harvest Church) Televangelist Rod Parsley, who leads the Columbus, Ohio-based World Harvest Church, has come under fire for a recent message he shared on social media in which he urged people not to hate America's slaveholding founding fathers as a national conversation rages around the removal of confederate monuments. Walter Oxley, told the ex-seminarian, who's filed the complaint anonymously as "John Doe," that he'd discovered a "credible accusation of homosexual activity" against Doe. Church Farm Schoolexists toprovide real and meaningful opportunity to motivated, hard-working boys from many places in our region and around the world, especially those who desire an excellent education. The victim in the case has filed a lawsuit against Church Farm School, saying its staff improperly allowed Spera to spend unsupervised time with him. If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse by a private school employee, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our experienced sex abuse victim lawyers. A former staffer at a private boarding school in Chester County was arrested at his home in Florida and accused of forcing a student at the school into hundreds of sexual encounters. The victim, however, was not ready to speak with law enforcement about the abuse at that time, the D.A. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. Doe officially started his program toward the priesthood in 2010 and was set to graduate next May. On one occasion the custodian claimed O'Neill told her she was helping the teen with extra credit. Rowley is not the first employee of Church Farm School to face charges of sexual abuse against a student. A former Pennsylvania private school employee who now works at a Florida private school was arrested last month for allegedly sexually abusing a student during his time at the Pennsylvania school. 10 7% of Catholic Priests In Australia Have Been Accused Of Sexual Abuse. Following the meeting, Doe claims he wasn't allowed to go back to his room if he wasn't accompanied by someone from the school. District Attorney Deborah Ryan said the former students actions should set an example for others to come forward and report abuse, no matter how long it may take them to do so. Houseparents are adults who live in residence halls with students and oversee the day-to-day living of boarded students. West Whiteland Police and Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating. Join us on March 23 at 9:00 PM (Beijing local time) for a virtual open house to learn more about our boarding and day school program for young men in grades 9-12. Founded in 1918 and located in Exton, PA, Church Farm School prepares a diverse group of boys with academic ability and good character to lead productive and fulfilling lives by making a college preparatory education financially accessible. Exton, Pennsylvania - Former Church Farm School Employee Marc Spera Charged with Several Sex Crimes For Allegedly Abusing Student, Rape & Sexual Assault Victim - Lawyer Commentary, Disclaimer / Terms Of Service & Privacy Policy, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, 10 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, 10 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 10 counts of indecent assault of a person less than 16. This investigation is still ongoing and we will communicate with you further at its conclusion. However, this defendant removed that sense of safety when he targeted his student his victim to satisfy his lewd behavior.. Parsley, who describes himself as "a TV host, evangelist, educator, humanitarian and statesman," regularly teaches about financial blessings and prosperity in health and relationships. My office will root out any adult, wherever they live, who abuses or has abused children. He was Chaplain and taught at his alma mater, Wooster School, in Danbury, Connecticut. The circumstances of that probe were unclear Tuesday, but a spokesperson for West Whiteland police said it did not result in criminal charges. Officials say that Spera moved to Florida in 2016 to work at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg and that he also lived on the campus there. This has been the conservative position on the scandal ever since it first erupted in the 1990s. EXTON, PA A dorm parent at Church Farm School in Exton is charged with sexual abuse after a student reported he was repeatedly sexually assaulted in the boiler room of a cottage at the boarding school and in other situations, hundreds of times. When a school employee is charged with sexually abusing a student, we should investigate the perpetrator and also determine if the school met its legal duty to protect its students from preventable sexual abuse. billing. Based on the complaint, Schreck was apparently quite concerned about the student, encouraging him to "get [his] life in order and to avail [himself] of the sacraments.". Quarterly: $30 every 3 months Email this CP reporter at nicola.menzie(at)christianpost.com |. Most of the stories we've heard from the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal come from the United States or Ireland, but the epidemic there was light compared to what was going on in Australia. Through his Breakthrough ministry, which also supports relief missions, Parsley was currently promoting a prayer cloth in exchange for a "seed-faith gift," otherwise known as a tax deductible donation. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The victim did not attend CFS as a sophomore but returned in 2005-06 as a junior, where he again lived in the same cottage as the defendant. World Harvest contended at trial that the incident never took place and that the welts and bruises on the boy's body, including his penis, were the result of a skin rash. CFS has become a true partner in educating my greatest trea sures and offered them tremendous opportunities.". At the end of the school year, Spera gave the student a video game console so the two could play games online and communicate with each other while apart, according to the affidavit. Marc Spera, 58, pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor for the assaults, which began when the student was enrolled at the Church Farm School in Exton in 2008, prosecutors said. 30, Exton, PA on Sat . Speras attorney, Julia Rogers, did not return a request for comment. An ordained Episcopal Priest, Rev. He returned to the school after receiving several phone calls from school staff members who were trying to find him, police said. The Church prohibits any men with deep-seated homosexual tendencies from becoming priests, let alone men who act on such desires. Lawyer Comments:In the second part of this article, school abuse attorney Brian Kent will discuss the legal rights of private school sex abuse victims and their families. Sinclair sued the school for negligence, childhood sexual abuse and vicarious liability, negligent supervision and punitive damages. He remained in custody Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla., awaiting extradition. agree that your subscription will automatically renew monthly, quarterly or annually based upon your subscription Spera was arrested in May in Florida, where he had moved a decade earlier. At issue is whether Justice Paul E. Pfeifer decides that Vaughan's beating of the child falls under corporal punishment or abuse, the latter of which is not covered under World Harvest Church's policy with its former insurer and would force the nonprofit organization to pay out the full sum on its own. Marc Spera, 58, was sentenced in March to 15 to 30 years in prison on similar charges. O'Neill, 35, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was a teacher at Church Farm School, an all-boys private school in Exton, Pennsylvania. The charges against Rowley mark the second time in two years that a former teacher at Church Farm has faced charges of sexual abuse. And to all who are visiting this site, whether a prospective or current student and family member, alumnus or friend, we trust you will find well reflected in all that is presented and communicated through these images both the information you are seeking and an enduring dedication to our core values: integrity, responsibility, respect and brotherhood. Andy Carrigan, a creative advertising directory currently working for Facebook, is excited to help tell the CFS story as a member of our Board of Directors. This past October, the vice rector of PCJ, Rev. The scandal centered around the Franklin Community Federal Credit Union, which was created to serve a poor black neighborhood in Omaha . Most students are from low-income families, and students pay what they are able to afford. ", West Whiteland Police Chief Lee Benson said, "Thank you to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their assistance in apprehending the defendant. School staff said they found a love note O'Neill wrote to the teen on a school printer in May and she was asked to resign. The teen also told police he and O'Neill engaged in oral sex several times in her car, the Motel 6 as well as in Narberth Park in Narberth, Pennsylvania over the summer. 's report alleges Rowley's sexual abuse continued during the victim's senior year. After the investigation, O'Neill was arrested and charged with four counts of corruption of minors. Angela Torres, mother to Josh '21 and Caleb '22, says sending her boys to boarding school was one of the best decisions she's ever made." Mar 23, 2021 PHILADELPHIA - The Church Farm School (CFS) in Exton faces civil charges from a North Carolina man who says he was sexually abused by a former CFS teacher, according to documents filed earlier this year in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. It took many years for this victim to have the courage to reveal what had happened to him, and then more years to have the fortitude to speak with law enforcement.. Read a related report on the Spera case here. Rowley also told detectives he was fired from the school after an internal investigation into content on his laptop. The insurer's legal team, meanwhile, asserts that a clause in the company's contract with the megachurch absolves it of providing coverage for acts of abuse or molestation, the Columbus Dispatch reported. We have encouraged anyone who experienced or had information about sexually abusive behavior by Mr. Spera or any other former or current employee to contact T & M Protection Resources at 646-445-7743 or churchfarm@tmprotection.com. But I am too formal for such outlandishness.". reads the promotion. Rowley worked as a dorm supervisor at the Church Farm School in West Whiteland Township between 1991 and 2010, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. Cooper Shivers '23 started at CFS in 2021-2022 as a junior in our day student program and is thriving in academics, athletics and student life. He lived in a residential cottage where then-teacher Marc Spera acted as a dorm parent. The school was founded in 1918 by Charles Shreiner. 1001 Lincoln Hwy, Exton, PA 19341. gocfs.net TYPE: Boarding Schools. Return to homepage. If you have a gift code you would like to redeem, click here. The Reverend Edmund K. Ned Sherrill became Church Farm Schools fourth Head of School on July 1, 2009. The abuse happened between 2008 and 2010 when Spera was a teacher at Church Farm School, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said. Spera is currently at the Pinellas County Jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. Spera was sentenced on March 31 to 15-30 years in prison. CHARLES WESLEY JR., 82, retired Headmaster of the Church Farm School, Exton, PA. Services will be held in the Chapel of the Atonement on the Church Farm School Campus on Rt. Following the pattern of exploitive behaviors, Spera allegedly forced Sinclair into a series of sexual acts against his will, including watching pornographic materials, kissing, masturbation and oral sex. Even after her resignation however, O'Neill still visited the teen, according to police. Church Farm School, 1001 E. Lincoln Highway, in West Whiteland Township, is a boarding and day school that says it is "in the Episcopal tradition." Rowley is not the first employee of Church. Attorney contributor Brian Kent is a former sex-crimes prosecutor who now represents victims and their families in civil lawsuits. The victim in that case has a pending federal lawsuit against Spera and the administration of Church Farm, asserting that the school failed to hold Spera accountable and allowed him to spend an inappropriate amount of private time with him. The teen claimed he and O'Neill shared their first kiss at a Motel 6 in King of Prussia in February, 2014 then kissed again at the motel in March to celebrate O'Neill's birthday. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum and an exceptional level of personal attention, with class sizes averaging between just 7 and 12 students. The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 located in Exton, PA. The school gradually phased out agricultural activities, beginning in the mid-1970s, selling off most of the remaining farmland to developers by the late 1990s. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico. A day in the life of a Church Farm School student. Rowley left CFS in 2010 after an internal investigation, police reported. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Terre Hill man says his home was infested with bed bugs after buying defendant's mattress, Widower says UPMC-affiliated facility was negligent in causing his wife's fall and later death, Pittsburgh business that sued neighbor and sewer authority over its flooded basement, receives stay, Delco plaintiff maintains improper cremation and storage of her husband's remains took place, Health care company's bankruptcy proceedings leads to stay of man's MRSA infection suit, Homeowner and realty service seek discovery answers from man who fell during open house, Objections in Philly's Zantac mass tort, 400 cases strong, say cases are unsound, Lancaster plaintiff reasserts that late husband's death was result of bleeding from debridement, N.J. woman reiterates that she suffered injuries after hotel room mirror fell on her. The seminary offered to mail him any of his personal items. This Land Press, 23 May 2012. [4][5] In 1985, the campus was listed as a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places. 57-year-old Marc Spera faces a laundry list of charges, including: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Spera on these charges in May. Heavyweight Champion Under Investigation for Hate Crime After Comments on Sodomy, National Catholic Reporter Names Gay Men Persons of the Year. Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. In the Rowley case, the District Attorney alleges Rowley sexually abused a former CFS student during the student's freshman, junior, and senior years between 2003 and 2007, hundreds of times. Marc Spera, a former teacher at the Church Farm School in Exton, pleaded guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related offenses at a hearing in West Chester. Welcome to Church Farm School Exton, PA About Message from Head of School Church Farm School exists to provide real and meaningful opportunity to motivated, hard-working boys from many places in our region and around the world, especially those who desire an excellent education. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Hard-hitting news and analysis through an authentic Catholic lens. 2. The two expressed their love for one another and began a relationship that lasted 10 months, according to investigators. Church Farm School #4 in Best Private High Schools in Chester County A+ Overall Grade Private, Boarding, Episcopal, All-Boys 9-12 EXTON, PA 43 reviews Apply Now Virtual Tour COVID-19 Update for Prospective Students and Families: We can't wait to welcome you to our beautiful Exton campus to learn more about our boarding or day school programs. For more on the topic of homosexuality in seminaries, watch "The Vortex: Same-Sex-Attracted Seminarians.". I appreciate this former student contacting authorities and deeply regret that another student may have suffered sexual abuse while attending the school years ago, Sherrill said. Sadly, child predators often seek out jobs at schools and in other fields that involve working with kids. Protected by Google ReCAPTCHA. If you have any information about this case, please call Detective Michael Buchmann at 610-363-0200. "Do not miss this opportunity for Pastor Parsley to pray for you, along with KENNETH COPELAND, a gifted preacher with incredible understanding of God's power a man of astonishing faith! When I served a church with a columbarium, I imagined where I wanted my ashes. The idea of attending boarding school intrigued him as he felt it was where he can learn to be fully independent. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. She is currently out on bond and scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 2. On March 5, CFS removed to federal court the lawsuit of plaintiff Christopher Sinclair, who was a boarding student at the school from 2008-2010 when he was 12 to 14 years old. Over the course of the school year, Spera befriended the boy, giving him special attention that included back massages in his living quarters on the schools campus. Church Farm School at a glance 90% receive financial aid from CFS 6 countries represented 67% I cover how law enforcement investigates crime in Philly's collar counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery. Church Farm School, 1001 E. Lincoln Highway, in West Whiteland Township, is a boarding and day school that says it is "in the Episcopal tradition.". For example, a school could be considered negligent for failing to prevent abuse of a student if there had been previous reports of inappropriate behavior by the employee who was charged with sexually abusing the student, but no action was taken to address those reports. Spera was arrested in May in Florida, where he had moved a decade earlier. Reportedly more than 12,000 people attend the church, located in the Columbus suburb of Canal Winchester. All rights reserved, Eagles' WR Zach Pascal Robbed and Assaulted at Gunpoint in Maryland, Police Asking for Public Assistance Finding Person Who Set Fire in Wilmington, New Jersey Bill Seeks to Ban Sale of Baby Wipes, Check Your Change! Founded in 1918 to provide an excellent education to young men from limited means, Church Farm School now serves boys from a range of socio-economic circumstances who are seeking an extraordinary educational opportunity. Unlocking Potential: The CFS Strategic Plan, Baccalaureate and Commencement Information, 5 Surprising Reasons You Should Consider Boarding School for Your Teen, Juniors Fayi Nshanji and Rafael Arellano Participate in Term-Away Programs, Admissions Virtual Open House for International Students. During an interview earlier this year, he told detectives that Rowley had massaged him, inappropriately touched, and forcibly sexually assaulted him as many as 300 times. John Suggs came to CFS after his West Philadelphia third-grade class was offered a full scholarship to college by the Jane and Robert Toll program. Many of the encounters, he told police, took place in Rowleys room at the school, or in the boiler room of one of the campus buildings. The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 in the Episcopal tradition. "Then we'll send your prayer cloth back to you saturated with the anointing!". The seminarian, who denies any wrongdoing, is suing for breach of contract, bad faith and other claims. Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "The sexual abuse of students and children is pervasive and needs to stop now. When you place your order, your Church Militant Premium membership will be activated. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. WEST CHESTER, PA The Chester County District Attorney's Office announced that Marc Spera, age 58 of St. Petersburg, Florida, pled guilty to Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse and Unlawful Contact with a Minor for the sexual abuse of a student that took place between 2008 and 2010 when the defendant was a teacher at Church Farm School (CFS) Pastor Rod Parsley at World Harvest Church in Ohio. 's Office. Alumni Success Program | The Church Farm School College Guidance Alumni Success Program The Alumni Success Program was launched in the fall of 2016 as a way to engage and support recent Church Farm School graduates. There was no indication that he had hired an attorney. ", Ryan added, "It took many years for this victim to have the courage to reveal what had happened to him, and then more years to have the fortitude to speak with law enforcement. Interim headmaster, Thomas Rodd, Jr., led the school before Edmund K. Sherrill II, an Episcopal clergyman, became headmaster in July 2009. A historic first: Vietnam allows Franklin Graham to hold evangelism event with 300 churches, Teen who had breasts removed says health system lacks 'standards of care', School district rejects student-teachers from Arizona Christian University, Its smut: Kid reads sexually graphic book he got from school library to school board members, Ukraine war exposes weaknesses in Russia and the West, ChatGPT, consciousness and the human mind, Tim Tebow Cancels Appearance at Televangelist Rod Parsley's Revival Event, Televangelist Benny Hinn Released from Hospital After Health Scare; 'God Is Faithful, My Heart Is Strong,' He Says. To ensure Church Farm School receives your score report, our SSAT school code is 2236. Spera met the victim in 2008, when the boy was a seventh grader enrolled at the Church Farm School, the affidavit said. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum and an exceptional level of personal attention, with class sizes averaging between just 7 and 12 students. If you or a loved one were injured or killed in a similar incident, I would be happy to speak with you and discuss your options.

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