Paige Patterson Fired by Southwestern, Stripped of Retirement Benefits

After new evidence has surfaced, including a mishandling of an alleged abuse case from a former student, the trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) have decided to strip their former president, Paige Patterson, of all "benefits, rights and privileges."  This means Patterson will no longer hold the title "President Emeritius" and he will be reunmerated financially.

The statement from the seminary details: "During the May 30, 2018, Executive Committee meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Board of Trustees, new information confirmed this morning was presented regarding the handling of an allegation of sexual abuse against a student during Dr. Paige Patterson's presidency at another institution and resulting issues connected with statements to the Board of Trustees that are inconsistent with SWBTS's biblically informed core values.

Deeming the information demanded immediate action and could not be deferred to a regular meeting of the Board, based on the details presented, the Executive Committee unanimously resolved to terminate Dr. Paige Patterson, effective immediately, removing all the benefits, rights and privileges provided by the May 22-23 board meeting, including the title of President Emeritus, the invitation to reside at the Baptist Heritage Center as theologian-in-residence and ongoing compensation."

Patterson was demoted one week ago from his position as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary following the publication of a flurry of statements he made starting in 2000 about the Bible's view of women and his beliefs about spousal abuse and why it's not grounds for divorce.  

Last Tuesday, a former SEBTS graduate student told The Washington Post that after she reported her rape to Patterson and fellow seminary officials in 2003, they failed to notify authorities and the former president encouraged her to forgive the perpetrator.  

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