News of a lawsuit filed by former Cubs baseball star Ben Zobist against his former pastor and counselor hit the “wire” yesterday.
The allegations are that Byron Yawn, their former pastor and counselor, used his position to both have sex with Zobist’s wife and exploit Zobist’s celebrity status. Typical in these sad affairs was allegations of burner phones used to keep the adulterous–for Yawn–relationship secret.
I call the relationship adulterous for Yawn. However, this is a case of ministerial sexual misconduct and abuse, in my opinion, for Julianna Zobist:
A parishioner or counselee does not have the ability to consent to a sexual relationship with the pastor/counselor due to the power differential of this relationship.
Yawn was in a position to exploit Julianna Zobist. He was communicating with both parties–apparently–which gives him the power of information that he can use to manipulate. Plus, his position as an authority figure gives his words extra weight. No consent can be given in this sort of a relationship.
I hope Zobist is successful in his lawsuit against Yawn.
It is yet another example of a faithful spouse getting exploited. Yawn behaved as a predator and is especially sick considering the depths of the betrayal of Zobist.
It was adulterous for both parties. Not to excuse the pastor but we don’t know if the wife initiated and pursued the affair. Sad situation either way.
It is a consent thing. Many states make these relationships illegal.
It’s true that Yawn has both committed adultery and committed sexual abuse through abuse of power. But that doesn’t absolve her – she’s an adult, she understood her marriage vows – nothing’s unforgiveable but repentance and growth are needed.