Church ordains sex offender as minister

Almost a decade ago, long before Mark Hourigan joined the City of Refuge Worship Center in Louisville, he was convicted of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy. Hourigan served a five-year sentence and was placed on Kentucky’s sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Randy Meadows, ordained Hourigan during a service on Sept. 13.

The Rev. Aletha Fields, a gay rights activist who sometimes serves as a guest pastor, says Pastor Meadows believes firmly in the “redemptive power of Jesus Christ.“

Hourigan said in an interview with CNN in September that wants to minister to others like him “who have been rejected.“ Hourigan said he has learned to avoid situations where he might be tempted.