This case is not only very troubling because of the facts of it, but also because of two public letters – one published by one of the major poskei hador in the US, and another signed by 9 choshuve rabonim from the heilige community in question, where the family of the victim was castigated in the most heinous terms, the innocence of the individual -who has now admitted his guilt as other victims are coming forward- was proclaimed, and the suffering of the child(ren) involved was ignored. As well, a godol we all respected from E’Y got involved against the parents as well.
If those in authority who we respect can not or do not make admission of their clear error in this situation, and what they have learned and will take upon themselves for the future, as the Rambam directs us, how are we to measure their words in the next situation, or the one after that?
One of those leaders is someone I have asked shailos of in the past. After reading his letter about this situation, I am distraught. I can not see him in the same way. If he were to publicly admit his error, it would help, but I don’t think I would ever have the level of trust in him I had before.
And should I?