Bonhoeffer on the Penn State Scandal

This past week the sport’s world has been drenched with reports involving Penn State University and a child sexual abuse scandal.  This story, for the most part, particularly revolves around Penn State’s long time football coach Joe Paterno, an individual who is arguably the most beloved figure in the history of the University. 
 
Paterno started coaching the team in 1966 and was released this past week allowing for a 45-year tenure.  Paterno currently holds the record for the most victories ever among Football Bowl Subdivision coaches at 409.

Paterno’s legacy, however, has been severely damaged over what has come to be known as the Jerry Sandusky Child Sexual Abuse Scandal, a scandal involving Penn State’s former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky and an alleged cover up that he was sexually abusing children in the Penn State facilities.  Earlier this month, Sandusky was arrested on 40 counts of molesting eight young boys over a 15-year period. 

The result was that a legacy that took 45 years to build was destroyed in a matter of days.

It has been difficult for authorities to ascertain exactly who is involved in this alleged cover up.  Reports suggest that Joe Paterno reported the allegations promptly upon hearing them, but Jerry Sandusky—the offender—was apparently still allowed full access to the Penn State facilities.  The appearance of Sandusky’s continued access to the Penn State facilities suggests that individuals like Paterno and other Penn State University leaders perhaps stood silent in the face of evil. 

Regardless of Paterno’s involvement, the incident reminds me of something Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Silence in the face of evil, is itself evil.”

As followers of Jesus Christ, it is important that we always, always, always stand for what is right, especially when it involves the innocent.  It is not enough to just know what is right; we must actively advocate it in our actions.  This is why it is important, for example, for the church to speak against issues like abortion.  This week Mississippi voted down Proposition 26 or The Personhood Amendment that would have made abortion illegal.  In this, Mississippi voted to legalize murder.  Followers of Jesus should stand against these kinds of decisions.

Today, let us be reminded to not be silent in the face of evil, for it is itself evil.  Let us also pray for the innocent, especially those children whose lives have been forever impacted by this incident.  This is the real story.