Faith Communities' Statements on Pedophilia
Edited by Heather Elizabeth Peterson

This section quotes or summarizes statements on pedophilia from faiths and denominations; links are provided to the full statements whenever they are available online. In cases where a faith community has indicated that it has not issued any statements on pedophilia, this is shown in the index below. This section will grow over time; if you know of any statements not listed here, please contact the editor.

Many faith communities condemn activities practiced by some pedophiles, such as homosexuality or incest. Since these activities are also practiced by some nonpedophiles, they are not mentioned on this page. Only statements that deal specifically with pedophilic attraction or behavior are listed here.

It should be noted that all of the statements in this section address pedophilia in the context of the faith communities' concern about child abuse. The inclusion of these statements at this site should not be taken as an indication that the editor believes that all or even most minor-attracted adults are child abusers; rather it is an indication of the present discussion of pedophilia in the faith communities.

American Baptist Churches USA
Assemblies of God [no statement]
The Catholic Church
Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) [no statement]
The Church of Ireland (Anglican)
Church of the Brethren
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod [no statement]
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. [no statement]