People of Praise
The community of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, with a history of abuse and cult-like behavior
1971 - present
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The People of Praise, a group that has often found itself in the eye of controversy, carries an air of mystery and intrigue. Established in 1971, this community has drawn attention for its blend of charismatic Christian beliefs and stringent practices. Their story is one that intertwines faith, intense devotion, and a web of practices that have raised eyebrows and sparked debates across the nation.
At the heart of the People of Praise is a commitment to living a shared life in faith. Members often dwell in close-knit communities, believing in the power of the Holy Spirit and practicing speaking in tongues, a phenomenon where a person speaks in languages unknown to them as a form of divine expression. This charismatic aspect, though common in some Christian circles, is viewed by many with skepticism and wariness.
However, it's not just their spiritual practices that have drawn scrutiny. The group's approach to leadership and decision-making, often described as hierarchical, places a significant amount of power in the hands of a few leaders. Men hold the primary leadership roles, and women, referred to in the past as 'handmaids' (a term they have since abandoned), are expected to adhere to traditional gender roles, a stance that has fueled debates about gender equality and women's rights.
Education is a key component of the People of Praise's identity. The group operates schools and summer camps, aiming to imbue young minds with their religious ethos. Critics, however, argue that this educational system can be overly insular, shielding students from differing viewpoints and broader societal norms.
The People of Praise gained widespread attention during the Supreme Court nomination hearings of Amy Coney Barrett, a reported member of the group. Her potential association with the group thrust the People of Praise into the national spotlight, raising questions about the influence of religious groups on public officials and the separation of church and state.
Supporters of the People of Praise argue that the group offers a supportive community that nurtures its members' faith and provides a sense of belonging. They emphasize the positive aspects of shared living and mutual support, highlighting the benefits of a close-knit community in an increasingly fragmented world.
The controversies surrounding the People of Praise mirror a broader debate about the role of religious communities in modern society. For some, they represent a retreat from the complexities of the modern world, offering a sanctuary of shared beliefs and practices. For others, they are a symbol of the tensions between individual freedoms and communal living, and the ongoing struggle to balance deeply held faith with the demands of contemporary life.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Catholicism
Founders: Kevin Ranaghan and Paul DeCelles
Founded: early 1970s
Size: 1,700
Location: United States, Canada, the Caribbean.
The FBI has interviewed several people that claimed to have been abused by members of the cult (source)
Former members have created a website to "let those who experienced abuse or were otherwise negatively impacted by their experience with the People of Praise know that they are not alone" (source)
Members of a private Facebook group have claimed that the community protects abusers by fostering a climate that emphasizes traditional gender roles and discourages “gossip” among community members (source)
See also the "Child Abuse" section below
Members are expected to submit to the decisions of the leaders, which includes them weighing in on issues relating to marriage (source)
Members have written a letter to the FBI, alleging “widespread and ongoing conspiracy to cover-up the abuse of children within its families and the schools it operates” (source)
According to one member, she was sexually abused from ages 3 to 16. Even though she reported the abuse, the man was allowed to remain in the community and live with a six-year-old child. Leader's reportedly told the mother not to press any charges. (source)
The Facebook group "PoP Survivors" was formed to connect members who have been abused in the cult (source)
The Washington Post interviewed nine members who claim to have been abused as children (source)
Katie Logan reported to the police that her high school physics teacher, Dave Beskar, sexually assaulted her in June 2001 when she was 17 and had just graduated. Beskar was 35 at the time and a teacher and girls’ basketball coach at Trinity School at River Ridge. She reported this incident to a school dean five years after it occurred, but Beskar remained at the school until 2011. (source)
Former school officials expressed concerns about Dave Beskar's pattern of making female students uncomfortable. There were also allegations that Beskar made inappropriate advances towards students. Police recommended charging Beskar with a felony of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. (source, source)
Sarah Kuehl claimed she was molested in the late 1970s as a child by a man, Gary McAlpin, while living in the People of Praise community, and that a senior leader told her not to talk about it, since it could "hurt the reputation of the community." The Guardian said that they have received letters that substantiate Kuehl's claims, and the community said they hired a third party to investigate the allegations. (see the "secretive" section below). (source, source)
After Amy Coney Barret was nominated to the supreme court, the People of Praise said that they hired a lawyer from Quinn Emanuel to investigate the allegations, claiming that she was a neutral third-party. However, the Guardian pointed out that Quinn Emanuel had also ties to other high-profile conservative politicians, including Steve Bannon and supreme court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (source)
Rebecca Grundhofer reported she was molested as a child by an older boy when their families lived together in the People of Praise community. (source)
Kevin Connolly reported that his father was violent and once kicked him in the face when he was 10, leaving him with a black eye. (source)
Private schools affiliated with the group have ban the children of gay parents from attending (source)
Members who engage in gay sex are expelled from the community (source)
The group is led exclusively by men (source)
According to former members, wives are expected to obey their husband’s wishes in all matters, including providing sex on demand (source)
According to a former member, adherents believe God can speak through members to deliver messages, sometimes about their future (source)
In the early days of the community, members of the People of Praise attempted to hold all things in common, but this approach evolved over time due to practical challenges (source)
In a letter to the FBI, members alleged that a culture of secrecy “in any matter that would embarrass” the group had contributed to alleged cover ups, which included transferring offenders to other cities. (source)
The cult scrubbed mentions of Amy Coney Barrett from their public documents after she was nominated as a supreme court justice (source)
After Sarah Kuehl reported her abuse to a senior leader, she was told not to talk about it, since it could "hurt the reputation of the community" (see the "child abuse" section above) (source)
According to one former member, "The basic premise of everything at the People of Praise was that the devil controlled everything outside of the community, and you were ‘walking out from under the umbrella of protection’ if you ever left" (source)
Other info:
Other info:
Supreme court justice Amy Coney Barrett has been a lifelong member of the community (source)
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