Ontario megachurch pauses programming in wake of sex abuse allegations

Warning: This story contains references to sexual assault.

An Ontario megachurch has been forced to pause programming as its insurer won'trenewabuse liability insurance in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against a former pastor.

In a statement on its website, The Meeting House said it was unable to secure parts of the insurance coverage it needs to continue normal operations beyond June 30. Specifically, it said it has been unable to find options for abuse liability or employment practices liability coverage.

"It's really hard for us to be able to get together, at least for our in-person gatherings," said pastor Chris Chase in a YouTube video from June 23.

"It's really hard to be able to do that because we can't guarantee protection for staff, we can't guarantee protection for volunteers, vulnerable people, including children and youth.We can't do that. And so in light of that, our leadership team has felt led to pause our normal ministry activity," he said.

The Anabaptist church's struggle to find an insurer comes years after one of itsformer pastors was accused ofsexual misconduct. Bruxy Cavey,a Hamilton resident, worked at the church as the primary teaching pastor from 1996 to 2021. He was charged with sexual assault by Hamilton police in June 2022. On Monday,thatcharge was stayed due to delays after Ontario Court Justice Michael K. Wendlruled in favour of a motion by Cavey's lawyer,Megan Savard.

A stayed charge is one where the court has decided not to pursue the case.

Cavey was charged with two additional counts of sexual assault in December 2023. Trial dates for those charges haven't yet been set.

The church's former victim's advocate previously told CBC Hamiltoncomplaints about sexual misconduct were also made against three other pastors, in addition to Cavey.

On its website,The Meeting House said it has taken significant steps to address systemic risk and create a safe environment for staff, volunteers and congregants over the last few years. The church added that this work has received positive feedback from insurers and experts.

The Meeting House has headquarters in Oakville, Ont., andlocations throughout the province.

CBC Hamilton contacted members of the church leadership and Cavey's lawyer for comment but didn't receive a response.

Why do churches needabuse liability insurance?

Chase said, in the YouTube video, that the church tried to lookforoptions for getting abuse liability coverage, but that "nobody is jumping at the opportunity to provide us with that insurance."

Meagan Bingley, a registered insurance broker with the Toronto insurance company Zensurance, said organizations that work with vulnerable populations, like churches and non-profits, need abuse liability insurance to cover damages in the event an allegation or lawsuit is made, regardless if the allegation is found to be true or not.

"Churches would fall into that high-risk category because of the individuals that they serve," she said. "So, whenever it comes down to abuse coverage specifically, it's to cover if there is an allegation that is founded, there's some potential that you have to pay out damages, which can be very costly, multi-million dollar claims."

On the other hand, employment practices liability coverage protects organizations against allegations by employees who claim their legal rights have been violated in the workplace.

While unable to comment on the specifics of The Meeting House's circumstances, Bingley said some of the possible reasons why that church's coverage provider didn't want to continue providing coverage is because it might not be comfortable with the potential for future claims.

"Insurance companies do have the right to get off risk if they are no longer comfortable come the renewal," she said. "If they're already looking at large claims coming out, they're not willing to put themselves in that position to maybe assume future claims.

Some other factors in determining an organization's abuse liability include having proper mechanisms for reporting abuse and regular training procedures for staff.

While unable to get abuse liability insurance, the church says it was able to renew all other types of insurance it requires with its current insurer, including property insurance and officers insurance.

The Meeting House continues to upload religious programming through its YouTube channel.

"There is a strong desire among our people to stay connected and pursue ways to be a church and do ministry together as soon as possible," its website says.

The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities completed a recent survey of churches and its insurance providers. Deina Warren, the centre's director of legal affairs, said the anecdotal stories of problems "do not seem to represent the experience of most respondents."

Warren didn't confirm how many survey respondents they had but said survey resultsindicate that the bigger issue is cost, with two-thirds of respondents to its survey reporting rising insurance costs over the past two years, with an average increase of 16 per cent.

"[The centre] is concerned that charities may experience difficulties securing necessary insurance coverage. If options for affordable coverage decline, it would have a negative impact on essential charitable activities and community supports," she wrote in an email.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. You can access crisis lines and local support services throughtheEnding Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.