In this episode, the team discusses the recent reports that have surfaced uncovering decades of alleged child sexual abuse within the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
Formed in the 1820s, believers in the movement felt as though the established Church of England had abandoned/distorted many of the ancient traditions of Christendom.
The first Brethren assembly was formed in Plymouth in 1831, hence the name. In the late 1840s, the Brethren split into the Open Brethren and the Exclusive Brethren.
It is estimated that the PBCC now has over 50,000 members worldwide, over 15,000 of them in Australia and New Zealand.
In April 2022, the Royal Commission of Inquiry in NZ’s Anglican Church investigation scope was formally expanded to also include the abuse of children, young persons and vulnerable adults in the care of the Plymouth Brethren (amongst others). This has come about as an increased numbers of survivors from the group have disclosed abuse, including historic child sexual abuse.
