Bruxy Cavey, a well-known Canadian megachurch pastor and public Christian figure, was accused of sexually abusing multiple congregants in cases that allegedly began during private pastoral counseling sessions.
Cavey, the longtime teaching pastor of The Meeting House, was placed on leave in 2021 after church leadership learned of allegations that he had used his spiritual authority to engage in inappropriate and abusive conduct with church members who sought him out for guidance and support.
The accusations, which later became public, described a pattern in which counseling relationships — framed as spiritual mentorship — allegedly crossed ethical and moral boundaries.
Allegations Rooted in Spiritual Authority
According to statements released by church leadership and investigators, several complainants said they initially approached Cavey for pastoral counseling during vulnerable periods in their lives. What began as prayer and spiritual advice allegedly evolved into inappropriate physical and sexual contact.
Investigators later concluded that Cavey had abused his position of trust and authority, exploiting the power imbalance inherent in a pastor-congregant relationship. In at least one case, church leaders acknowledged that the conduct met the definition of sexual abuse by a religious authority figure.
The church stated that Cavey’s actions violated both internal policies and broader ethical standards governing pastoral care.
Public Persona vs. Private Allegations
Cavey had built a national profile as a progressive evangelical voice, frequently addressing sexuality, faith, and morality from the pulpit. While he was not publicly known as an anti-gay crusader in the most extreme sense, critics noted the contradiction between church teachings that emphasized sexual restraint and holiness and the alleged private behavior of its senior leader.
The case reignited debate about how religious institutions handle sexuality, power, and accountability — particularly when leaders position themselves as moral guides while counseling congregants behind closed doors.
Criminal Charges and Legal Outcome
In 2022, Cavey was arrested and charged with sexual assault. The charges were later stayed due to legal technicalities related to time limits, not because the allegations were deemed false. The stay of proceedings meant the case did not proceed to trial, but church leadership maintained that the internal investigation’s findings remained valid.
Following the investigation, The Meeting House permanently revoked Cavey’s credentials, removed him from leadership, and issued public apologies to survivors.
Cavey has denied the allegations, stating through his legal team that the encounters were consensual. Survivors and advocates countered that consent cannot exist in relationships defined by spiritual authority and dependency.
Broader Impact on Faith Communities
The Cavey case has become a touchstone in discussions about spiritual abuse, a form of harm that experts say is often misunderstood because it may involve adults rather than minors. Advocates argue that when religious leaders use scripture, prayer, or claims of divine authority to override personal boundaries, the damage can be profound and long-lasting.
Faith organizations across Canada cited the case as a reason to re-examine policies governing one-on-one counseling, transparency, and reporting mechanisms within churches.
The allegations against Cavey have not been adjudicated in criminal court, and he has not been convicted of a crime. Still, the findings of the church’s independent investigation and the public fallout continue to shape conversations about power, trust, and accountability in religious spaces.
