Children have been removed from an orthodox Mennonite community in Canada where adults have been charged with assaulting youngsters using items such as cattle prods and leather straps.
Manitoba Family Services would not say Wednesday how many children had been taken into its care and would not reveal any other details about the case.
The department said child protection professionals were working with the families as police investigate.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2344848/Children-removed-Mennonite-community-adults-using-cattle-prods-leather-straps-discipline-them.html#ixzz2ajhFAQRm
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Few in the close-knit community are saying anything, but one man driving a horse-drawn buggy told a local television station that 42 children were taken and he was 'very distressed.'
The orthodox Mennonite community eschews modern amenities such as electricity and automobiles.
Different lifestyle: Mennonite communities eschews modern amenities such as electricity and automobiles
Two adults from the tiny, highly traditional community were charged in March with various counts of assault and assault with a weapon on several boys and girls between July 2011 and January of this year.
This week, two more adults appeared in court to face similar charges involving 12 alleged victims over roughly the same time frame.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are not ruling out more charges, saying the investigation is not over.
The identities of the alleged victims are shielded by a court-ordered publication ban.
Royden Loewen, chair of the University of Winnipeg's Mennonite studies program, said earlier this year that many Mennonites believe in traditional corporal punishment for children but follow a rule that says children should not be injured or hit out of anger.
Defense lawyer Scott Newman said Wednesday he is awaiting more disclosure from the prosecution.
'It's such an early stage, there's not much I can comment on,' he said.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2344848/Children-removed-Mennonite-community-adults-using-cattle-prods-leather-straps-discipline-them.html#ixzz2ajhUU0xx
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Mennonite community ‘distressed’ after 42 children seized
GLADSTONE – A member of a Manitoba Old Order Mennonite community tells Global News that Child and Family Services took 42 children from their homes near Gladstone last week.
“We are very distressed,” said a bearded man riding a horse and buggy who Global News can’t identify to protect the identity of children involved.
“CFS has apprehended all our children that are minors. They walked into the houses, took the babies out of their cribs while they were sleeping.”
The seizure is believed to be related to multiple criminal charges against three men and one woman in the community, including assault and assault with a weapon, specifically a whip, a leather strap and a cattle prod. Court documents say the alleged assaults took place between July 2011 and January 2013.
“I was surprised when I heard that,” said Peter Dyck, a Gladstone resident.
“I didn’t think that was happening in their community.”
RCMP are investigating, and on Wednesday afternoon a police cruiser and a blue SUV were at one of the Mennonite properties. A farm resident who lives nearby said the property was home to one of the accused. There was a brief interaction between two men on the property and two RCMP officers. The officers left a short time later. The occupants of the SUV did not exit the vehicle.
CFS issued this statement when asked about the mass apprehension:
“Child protection professionals are working with the families and children involved in this difficult circumstance, including providing counselling services and supports during their participation in the ongoing RCMP investigation. The child protection staff are also working to ensure culturally sensitive placements for the children.”
According to area residents, the community of about 100 moved to Manitoba roughly four years ago from Ontario.
“They just kind of go about their daily business, doing their own thing I guess,” said a neighbour who lives near the Mennonite properties.
Gladstone residents said members of the Mennonite community frequent the town for amenities such as the auction and veterinary services. Residents said interaction was limited, but always friendly, which is why the criminal charges are a surprise, they said.
“It’s not that we want to get them out of here. It’s just … make things right,” said Dyck.
Editors note:
Having known many Mennonites through out the years, I see, in my opinion, a great injustice & abuse of authority happening here.
Mennonites are quite the opposite of what these gentle people are being accused of.
They are a people of peace & total nonviolence.
They are a people of peace & total nonviolence.
They love & live their religious beliefs in most cases more than a lot of religious people from other teachings.
I also see something else which, I'm my opinion tells more of a story than is published here.
Child protection workers use what is called, " Harvesting " methods. In other words, Their organisation they work for has a quota to meet in bringing in children from homes to keep government funding coming into their coffers. This is a common practise the world over. They appear as defenders of children, but in reality, their whole objective is business. The business of marketing children for profit.
The Mennonite community is like a small town, children all in one place. Easy to get at in one sweep, making it easier to abduct children en mass.
Child protection workers have also used religious persecution against parents, making up lies to include in their court documents to better get the upper hand.
There is documentation as to where they have illegally used ethnic & religious persecution against others who were either of another background, such as blacks & native Americans or who didn't believe religiously as they do. Many workers have in the past & still are facing criminal charges in different parts of the world for doing this.
One tactic that is used involves hidden voice recorders whether it is in the home or elsewhere illegally recording private conversations between workers & parents, workers & children without the other parties knowledge. This is against the law & yet, they continue to openly flaunt the law to their advantage.
It is sadly also a common practise to interview innocent children, asking questions in different ways to trick children into saying things to be used against parents in court even when the child has no knowledge nor understanding of the questions being asked. This is how many accusations are gathered. Trickery & falsehood. Sadly, families on the whole are victims of this type of persecution by these people.
We preach & protest against child abuse, child labour & exploitation & yet, it goes on every day legally from child protection workers.
One account a couple years ago involved child protection workers in Europe being arrested for selling babies they had taken from innocent families. Black market babies.
Dangerous to families, ethnic groups & religious families. One lawyer had his children apprehended by CPS for speaking out against them & their abuse. He was innocent of all charges. Criminals hiding & abusing families for profit. It has been called quite literally, " an empire of criminals for profit."
This is wrong, in my opinion to falsely accuse others of child abuse without proof, & yet, the law states they need prove nothing in court. It is a dangerous situation when the odds are stacked against parents & given no opportunity in court to defend themselves properly. The courts look at what is told & written by child protection workers as absolute evidence even when there is NO EVIDENCE.
Mennonites have never been known to use violence. They have a strict set of religious doctrine that they adhere to without any type of abuse to nature nor humans.
I am but one of many who have been threatened with physical abuse & even death at the hands of child protection workers for openly exposing them for their criminal activities against families. This is the real organized crime in our society.
We ask that you remember these precious people in your prayers who are being persecuted. Remember, you may not believe as these people do, but we are all children of The Creator. These are our brothers & sisters. This could happen to us in the future.
Your families are the most precious gifts Creator has lent you to care for, to raise & to guide in love. Keep them safe. Blessings.
What Mennonites Believe:
Mennonite Beliefs
Baptism - Water baptism is a sign of cleansing from sin and a pledge to follow Jesus Christthrough the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a public act "because baptism means a commitment to membership and service in a particular congregation."
Bible - "Mennonites believe that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit for instruction in salvation and training in righteousness. We accept the Scriptures as the Word of God and as the fully reliable and trustworthy standard for Christian faith and life..."
Communion - The Lord's Supper is a sign to remember the new covenant Jesus established with his death on the cross.
Eternal Security - Mennonites do not believe ineternal security. Everyone has free will and can choose to live a sinful life, forfeiting their salvation.
Government - The decision of whether to vote varies greatly among Mennonites. Conservative groups often do not; modern Mennonites frequently do. The same holds true of jury duty. Scripture warns against taking oaths and judging others, but some Mennonites do welcome jury duty. As a rule, Mennonites try to avoidlawsuits, seeking negotiation or some other form of reconciliation. Some Mennonites seek public office or government employment, always asking whether the position will let them further Christ's work in the world.
Heaven, Hell - Mennonite beliefs say those who have received Christ into their life as Lord and Savior will go to heaven. The church has no detailed position on hell except that it consists of eternal separation from God.
Holy Spirit - Mennonites believe the Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of God, who dwelt in Jesus Christ, empowers the church, and is the source of the believer's life in Christ.
Jesus Christ - Mennonite beliefs hold that Christ is the Son of God, Savior of the world, fully human and fully God. He reconciled humanity to God through his sacrificial death on the cross.
Ordinances - Mennonites refer to their practises as ordinances or acts, instead of the word sacrament. They recognise seven "biblical ordinances": baptism on confession of faith; the Lord's Supper; washing of the saints' feet; the holy kiss; marriage; ordination of elders/bishops, ministers/preachers of the Word, deacons; and anointing with oil for healing.
Peace / Pacifism - Because Jesus taught his followers to love everyone, killing, even in war, is not a Christian response. Most young Mennonites do not serve in the military, although they are encouraged to spend a year in service in missions or in the local community.
Sabbath - Mennonites meet for worship services onSunday, following the tradition of the early church. They base that on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week.
Salvation - The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation, who moves people to accept this gift from God. The believer accepts God's grace, trusts in God alone, repents, joins a church, and lives a life of obedience.
Trinity - Mennonites believe in the Trinity as "three aspects of the Divine, all in one": Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Mennonite Practises
Ordinances - Baptism is performed on adults who are able to confess their faith in Christ. The act may be by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring water from a pitcher. Communion is a symbolic act in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, with the partaking of bread and wine. Foot washing is done to recall Christ's servant hood; some churches do it regularly while others do not. The Holy Kiss, on the cheek, is shared only among members of the same sex in conservative churches. Modern Mennonites usually just shake hands with each other.
Worship Service - Sunday worship services resemble those in evangelical churches, with a minister leading prayers, soliciting testimonies from members, and giving a sermon. Many Mennonite churches feature traditional four-part a Capella singing, although organs, pianos and other musical instruments are common. In most churches members sing hymns together.
To learn more about Mennonite beliefs, visit the official Mennonite Church USA Website.
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