Saskatoon’s Mile Two Church (MTC) is looking at a $25 million class action lawsuit for operating the Christian Centre Academy (CCA), renamed Legacy Christian Academy (LCA) in 2013..The lawsuit lists 21 defendants who allegedly physically and sexually abused students before 2005 at CCA..The plaintiffs are Caitlin Erickson and Coy Nolin..Erickson, Nolin, and other students had mental, emotional, and spiritual harm at the hands of the 21 defendants, as well as physical assault, sexual assault, or battery..READ MORE Alleged abuse revealed at Saskatchewan Christian school, including exorcisms.CCA Athletics Director Aaron Benneweis allegedly had sexual relationships with students, said the suit..“Aaron Benneweis, a director of athletics at the school, engaged in sexual relationships with students and minor adherents and congregants of the church,” said the lawsuit..Nathan Schultz, who taught Sunday school at MTC, allegedly had female students play with his penis..“Nathan Schultz, a worker of the church, induced female minor adherents and congregants of the church to, during Sunday School, go with him to the bathroom where he would put candy on his penis and have the girl take the candy with her hands or mouth,” said the lawsuit..“On some occasions, he cut the pockets out of his pants and told the girls to reach into the pockets and ‘see what surprise I have for you.’”.Other MTC employees and representatives had alleged sexual fondling or sexual relationships with students and congregants. .NDP Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck commented on the alleged abuse..“As a parent, it's been heart-wrenching to hear the stories shared by former students of the Christian Centre Academy. I hope this lawsuit will shed light on the allegations of physical, mental, and emotional abuse at Christian Centre Academy and provide much-needed closure for former students,” said Beck..Beck called on Education Minister Dustin Duncan to take action against LCA immediately and not wait for the criminal investigation to finish..“The allegations of paddling, solitary confinement, exorcisms, and forced political campaigning are absolutely shocking and the minister of Education should have taken immediate action to ensure current and future students do not face an abusive, unsafe or intolerant classroom. This simply cannot be left to the criminal justice system,” said Beck..READ MORE NDP calls for a freeze of school funding at allegedly abusive Sask Christian school.Beck asked Premier Scott Moe to replace Duncan if he will not take action against funding the LCA as a human rights issue..“Guaranteeing the human rights of all students are upheld in publicly funded schools should be this government’s top priority. The Sask. Party’s failure to freeze funding for Legacy Christian Academy is unacceptable and in no way demonstrates a commitment to safe classrooms. If Education Minister Dustin Duncan won’t step up to ensure the safety of Saskatchewan kids, Scott Moe needs to find a new minister that will.”.READ MORE NDP call on Sask gov to respond to dozens of former Christian school students abuse allegations.Keith Johnson was the MTC pastor and the school’s principal and director, who created books about using corporal punishment on children to “beat the devil out of them” and sometimes “proper discipline may leave welts.”.“Sometimes spankings will leave marks on the child. If some liberal were to hear this, they’d immediately charge us with advocating child-beating. Child beating is when an enraged parent who doesn’t love his child begins to beat up on him/her,” said a book written by Johnson..Johnson said the Bible requires punishment that hurts to turn the children into believers..“Is that what I am advocating? Is that what the Bible tells us to do? What is the purpose in spanking our children? Primarily, it is to teach them sin is wrong, that sin is always punished, and that sin always hurts them more than anyone else,” said the book..“Therefore, if we’re going to make a believer out of them, we’re going to need to ensure that the punishment is severe enough to make a lasting impression. Occasionally, proper discipline may leave welts.” .Johnson said “spanking should be a ritual. A ritual is any practice regularly repeated in a set, precise manner.”
