Lutheran Church launching investigation of Sask. pastor accused of anonymously harassing a woman online
CBC
Lutheran Church–Canada has placed a Saskatchewan pastor on leave as it initiates an investigation into allegations that he has been secretly using social media to attack a Saskatoon woman.
On Wednesday, the church confirmed on its website that, "Rev. Todd Guggenmos has been publicly accused of harassing an individual online through an anonymous Twitter account." Guggenmos is the pastor of the Triune Lutheran Parish located in Langenburg, Landestreu and MacNutt, Sask.
"We have also received a screenshot of a tweet alleged to have come from the account which condones sexual relationships between adults and minors," the church's statement said.
The church said it is now in the process of hiring an external investigator to examine the allegations.
"Lutheran Church–Canada holds its pastors to a high moral standard and takes such allegations seriously," the statement says. "No person deserves to face harassment, as alleged in these complaints. And our church body strongly condemns pedophilia."
When asked about the allegations, Guggenmos replied by email.
"I did not write any tweet about sex between minors and adults," he wrote.
He did not directly address the allegation that he harassed a woman using an anonymous Twitter account.
"I look forward to the report from the investigator on these allegations that have been made against me."
The allegations were made by Tammy Robert, a prominent Saskatoon communications consultant and outspoken online political commentator who is no stranger to online conflict.
Robert alleged that for almost two years she had been targeted by someone using the Twitter handle @notTammyR.
"The tweets from that account have been breathtakingly vile," she wrote in a blog. "Vicious personal attacks on myself and other Saskatchewan residents, particularly women."
Several other Twitter users are also claiming that @notTammyR has been harassing them.
One of them is Tenille Lafontaine of Regina. She says that while she's not certain who is behind the account, she does know that the person has been aggressively targeting her.
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