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Editorial note: This is an official GLST statement.
Written by Al Aitken, GLST Board Chair
Gloriavale must be reformed to bring freedom to its members and accountability to its leaders.
In 2023 Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust worked with Leavers to develop a vision of what a healthy Gloriavale would look like. Based upon that the trust has now adopted the official position of calling for Gloriavale to be reformed to provide essential freedoms and accountabilities as described below.
Essential Freedoms for the People of Gloriavale
1. Religious Freedom
Free to follow your own conscience and belief
2. Financial Freedom
Free to choose your own job, earn your own money and do with it what you wish.
3. Family Freedom
Free to marry the person you choose and have children when you want them.
Free to raise your family your own way and choose where and how you live.
4. Health Freedom
Free to make your own health care decisions and have full access to the medical care you and your family need.
5. Mobility Freedom
Freedom to own and drive your own vehicle and travel where and when you wish.
6. Education Freedom
Free to choose the education you and your family need.
7. Information Freedom
Free to access the information of the outside world how and when you want to...
Essential Accountability for the Leaders of Gloriavale
1. Church leaders elected by the church members of Gloriavale - people chosen to serve not to be all powerful
2. Civil leaders elected by the residents of Gloriavale - people chosen to improve the life of residents.
3. Business Leaders elected by the members of Gloriavale - people chosen for business competence and integrity
4. The disqualification from leadership of any person guilty of a criminal or moral offence.
5. Appropriate legal consequences for those guilty of criminal offending.
6. Appropriate recompense by Gloriavale for past mistreatment of residents and leavers.
Note: This blog is based a previously published document “Hope for Gloriavale” which includes a blueprint for reform.
Alan Aitken, GLST Board Chair
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