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Southwestern Backtracks: Patterson Fired. Will Receive No Pay, Title or Housing

Southwestern Backtracks: Patterson Fired. Will Receive No Pay, Title or Housing

Paige Patterson will no longer retain the title “President Emeritus,” pay or housing from Southwestern Theological Seminary.

About a week ago, trustees—who met for 13 hours to discuss a plan—shifted Patterson’s position from acting president to “President Emeritus,” a role that receives several benefits, including a salary. The move came after previous statements from Patterson resurfaced in which he made inappropriate comments about a 16-year-old girl and domestic abuse. He was also accused of covering up the rape of a student at another school he oversaw.

In a statement, they said in part (you can read the whole thing here),

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During the May 30, 2018, Executive Committee meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Board of Trustees, new information confirmed this morning was presented regarding the handling of an allegation of sexual abuse against a student during Dr. Paige Patterson’s presidency at another institution and resulting issues connected with statements to the Board of Trustees that are inconsistent with SWBTS’s biblically informed core values.

Deeming the information demanded immediate action and could not be deferred to a regular meeting of the Board, based on the details presented, the Executive Committee unanimously resolved to terminate Dr. Paige Patterson, effective immediately, removing all the benefits, rights and privileges provided by the May 22-23 board meeting, including the title of President Emeritus, the invitation to reside at the Baptist Heritage Center as theologian-in-residence and ongoing compensation.

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They also added, “The Seminary stands against all forms of abuse and grieves for individuals wounded by abuse.”

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