Via Wikimedia Creative Commons from US Army
A popular internationally known Christian evangelist is accused of “sexting, unwanted touching, spiritual abuse, and rape,” in a report released by his own ministries.
According to Christianity Today, the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries commissioned the four month investigation by an outside firm after denying any wrongdoing by its late namesake.
Ravi Zacharias died following a battle with cancer in 2019. The report details how he abused massage therapists for more than a decade in the United States and abroad. Investigators found he built trust with the therapists through spiritual conversations and offering them money from his ministry.
The report says he received nude photos up to a few months before his death and had contact with some 200 masseuse.
“Ravi engaged in a series of extensive measures to conceal his behavior from his family, colleagues, and friends. However, we also recognize that in situations of prolonged abuse, there often exist significant structural, policy, and cultural problems. … We were trusted by our staff, our donors, and the public to mentor, oversee, and ensure the accountability of Ravi Zacharias, and in this we have failed,” RZIM said in a statement.
Zacharias had access to high profile politicians. Among those who spoke at his memorial was then Vice President Mike Pence, according to The American Kahani.
The report stated that “five therapists reported that Zacharias touched or rubbed them inappropriately, “ while “others said he asked them to touch him or he touched himself,” the American Kahani reported.
Some therapist report being “paid very well” with large tips and lavished gifts.
The ministries previously made an out of court settlement with one woman named in the report, Lori Anne Thompson. The ministries said it regrets now not taking her allegations more seriously.
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