Episode 5: She Refused to Take the Bed
Hosts: Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Podcast: All the Buried Women
Introduction to the Episode
In Episode 5 of All the Buried Women, titled "She Refused to Take the Bed," hosts Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke delve into a harrowing and largely hidden chapter within the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) history. This episode intertwines the discovery of concealed abuse within SBC archives with contemporary struggles surrounding the role of women in the denomination.
Uncovering the Abuse Case: HP Wu's Letter and Mario Acacia
The episode opens with Savannah Locke introducing a significant discovery made by Beth Allison Barr within the vast and often monotonous SBC archives. While sifting through Jimmy Draper's files—Draper being the SBC president from 1982 to 1984 and a key figure in limiting the women’s ordination debate—Beth stumbled upon a confidential letter dated back to 1978 (Savannah Locke, [00:00]).
Notable Quote:
“I told my pastor, listen, it would be easier to be a prostitute in this church than it is to be an ordained woman. The Spirit of the Lord is upon.”
— Beth Allison Barr ([01:54])
The letter, sent by an individual using the pseudonym H.P. Wu, accused Pastor Mario Acacia of repeated sexual abuse of a woman under his care at Dufferin Street Baptist Church in Toronto. Wu detailed how SBC officials, including Dr. Oscar Romo, responded by minimizing the abuse, emphasizing forgiveness over accountability.
SBC's Handling of the Abuse Allegations
The hosts explore the correspondence between SBC leaders—Jimmy Draper, Bill Tanner, and Oscar Romo—revealing a negligent and dismissive approach toward the abuse allegations. Despite evidence, including Mario Acacia’s own confession and corroborative notes from counseling sessions, the SBC chose to overlook the severity of his actions. Instead of taking decisive action, leaders exchanged apologies for dealing with such issues, effectively covering up the abuse.
Notable Quote:
“We must be a redemptive community. Certainly there are many problems relating to each of us, and we all stand under the grace of God.”
— Jimmy Draper ([06:40])
Beth Allison Barr reflects on the broader implications of this cover-up, connecting it to the ongoing SBC crisis surrounding sexual abuse and the suppression of women's leadership.
Parallel to 2023 SBC Convention: Expelling Women Pastors
The narrative transitions to the 2023 SBC annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, where nearly 19,000 delegates voted on significant issues impacting women within the denomination. The convention aimed to expel two churches—Fern Creek Baptist Church in Kentucky and Saddleback Church in California—for ordaining women pastors, reflecting a continued effort to restrict women's roles in the SBC.
Key Points:
- Proposed Amendment: A new constitutional amendment aimed to restrict pastoral roles exclusively to men, adding to the existing five criteria for affiliating churches.
- Voting Outcomes: Both churches were expelled, and the amendment was preliminarily approved, setting the stage for a formal vote in 2024.
Notable Quote:
“If doctrinal disagreements between Baptists are considered sin, we all get kicked out.”
— Al Mohler ([38:50])
SBC President Al Mohler and other conservative leaders justified these actions by framing them as essential for maintaining biblical authority and uniformity, dismissing calls for inclusivity and diversity within church leadership.
The Story of Maria Acacia: A Pastor's Wife and Abuse Survivor
Central to the episode is the poignant story of Maria Acacia, the wife of Pastor Mario Acacia. Maria's life was marked by prolonged domestic abuse, which remained largely unaddressed by both her husband and the SBC. Despite her husband's abusive behavior, Maria maintained her roles within the church, contributing significantly through teaching, organizing church events, and supporting her husband’s ministry.
Notable Quote:
“She was a very talented and educated woman. She served in a variety of capacities...and she also put together the pageants, the Christmas pageants...”
— Beth Allison Barr ([26:12])
Maria's resilience and silent suffering culminated in a late-life act of liberation. At 73, after enduring severe abuse resulting in third-degree burns, Maria initiated divorce proceedings against Mario, symbolically refusing to take the bed—a powerful statement of leaving behind a life of torment.
Notable Quote:
“Sometimes the most profound statement isn't in what you take, but in what you choose to leave behind.”
— Savannah Locke ([31:58])
Symbolism and Reflections: Saint Fabiola and Maria's Legacy
The episode draws a parallel between Maria Acacia and Saint Fabiola, an early Christian saint known for enduring abuse and maintaining silence to protect her community. Maria's repeated painting of Saint Fabiola serves as a metaphor for her own silent resistance against oppression within the SBC.
Notable Quote:
“Maria continued to love her family and community throughout her life...but her shocking decision in 1997 points to it being an unbearable reality.”
— Beth Allison Barr ([30:59])
This symbolism underscores the recurring theme of silenced voices within the SBC, highlighting the systemic failures to support and protect women.
The Final Vote at the 2023 Convention
The culmination of the convention saw the expulsion votes passed overwhelmingly in favor of removing Fern Creek Baptist and Saddleback Church from SBC fellowship. The hosts critique the SBC's tightening grip on doctrinal conformity, questioning the impact on women's roles and leadership within the denomination.
Notable Quote:
“What we see in this letter is that the SBC officers who were contacted about this man claimed that they had no knowledge of what had happened...they were dismissing the claims.”
— Beth Allison Barr ([11:37])
Conclusion and Implications for the SBC and Women's Roles
All the Buried Women concludes with a somber reflection on the SBC's trajectory towards greater uniformity and restrictive practices against women. The story of Maria Acacia serves as a powerful testament to the personal costs of systemic abuse and the silent endurance expected of women within the denomination.
Final Thoughts:
“Saint Fabiola’s story connects to thousands of women in the SBC, serving as a reminder that this fight is nothing new, but that there is a cloud of witnesses...that women can, should, and will continue to resist the voices that seek to control them.”
— Savannah Locke ([51:24])
The episode calls for a critical examination of the SBC's policies and their profound effects on women, urging listeners to recognize and amplify the buried stories that reveal the true state of the denomination.
Key Takeaways
- Systemic Neglect: The SBC has a history of neglecting and covering up abuse, prioritizing institutional reputation over individual well-being.
- Restrictive Policies: Recent votes to expel churches that ordain women and proposed amendments to restrict pastoral roles further entrench gender-based limitations.
- Silent Suffering: Stories like Maria Acacia's highlight the personal toll of these systemic issues, emphasizing the need for greater support and acknowledgment of women's experiences within the church.
- Symbolic Resistance: Maria's refusal to take the bed and her consistent portrayal of Saint Fabiola symbolize a quiet yet profound resistance against oppression and abuse.
All the Buried Women Episode 5 offers a deeply engaging and informative exploration of the intertwined issues of abuse, gender roles, and institutional control within the Southern Baptist Convention. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke shed light on the hidden struggles of women in one of America's largest Protestant denominations, urging a reevaluation of its trajectory and practices.