Former bishop, John Goodrich, abu$3d his daughter for years. #lds #mormon #abusesurvivor

The John Goodrich Case: When Ecclesiastical Authority Fails to Protect Children

When a trusted religious leader violates the confidence placed in him by his congregation, the damage extends far beyond a single family. The case of John Goodrich, a former bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who sexually abused his daughter over a period of years, exemplifies a critical failure in institutional accountability and child protection within faith communities. This case raises urgent questions about how religious organizations respond to allegations of abuse by their own clergy, and what safeguards (or lack thereof) exist to prevent perpetrators from continuing harm.

The documented account, shared on the Mormon Stories Podcast, provides a firsthand perspective on how institutional dynamics, pastoral authority, and family trauma intersect in ways that can silence victims and enable abusers for years.

Background: Authority and Abuse in Religious Settings

The intersection of ecclesiastical power and child safety has become an increasingly scrutinized issue within the LDS Church and similar faith communities. Religious leaders occupy positions of unique trust, they are simultaneously spiritual guides, moral authorities, and, in many cases, arbiters of family counseling and church discipline.

Bishops in the LDS Church hold particular cultural weight. They serve as intermediaries between members and institutional authority, often becoming confidants for sensitive family matters. This structural dynamic can create conditions where abuse thrives: the perpetrator enjoys credibility and respect; victims may internalize messages that questioning church leadership equates to questioning faith itself; and institutional processes may prioritize reputation management over victim protection.