Statement regarding Ravi Zacharias report by Miller & Martin

February 12, 2021

In September 2020, Christianity Today reported allegations of sexual misconduct against Ravi Zacharias. In response, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) initiated an independent investigation by the firm Miller & Martin, and we are grateful that this work was done.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in Canada is appalled at the findings of this report which both corroborated recent allegations that Zacharias participated in sexual misconduct, and uncovered new evidence of extensive abusive behaviour.

We are deeply grieved by the pain experienced by women who were victimized by Zacharias, and the lasting negative effects of this abuse.

In particular, it is now clear that Zacharias groomed and exploited Lori Anne Thompson, and we believe her. We regret that this abuse began on Canadian soil, that our organization did not do more to influence the investigation conducted by the C&MA in the United States, and that our silence perpetuated a false and damaging narrative.

For the sake of healing for victims both known and unknown, we urge Zacharias’s estate to release the Thompsons from their non-disclosure agreement.

The C&MA licensed Zacharias in Canada from 1972 until 1974, after which he transferred his credentials to the C&MA in the United States. Miller & Martin’s investigation did not include these early years, so we encourage anyone who experienced abusive behaviour during this time, or any other, to contact our independent and confidential Clergy Abuse Resource Team (CART) at [email protected].

This case and others like it have raised our awareness of clergy abuse. We are in a posture of learning to listen, to see, and to respond better.

Miller & Martin’s report – https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rzimmedia.rzim.org/assets/downloads/Report-of-Investigation.pdf

The Clergy Abuse Resource Team (CART) exists to support a compassionate response to reported incidents of physical, sexual and psychological abuse by licensed workers, in a manner that seeks to promote healing. They can be contacted confidentially at [email protected]

Contact

Communications

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

[email protected]