Hey Kate! What Part of "Pedophile" Don't You Understand?

Hot on the heels of yesterday's James McGreevey story comes this report from David Virtue: Convicted Pedophile Episcopal Priest to Host Spiritual Retreats with Presiding Bishop's Blessing .  Is there now anything that TEO will not approve when the subject is sexual depravity?

The P.O. has now approved the use of facilities called the "House of Prayer" within the Diocese of Minnesota by C. Lynn Baumann, for the purpose of conducting so-called "spiritual retreats."  The problem here is that Baumann was convicted, and defrocked from the priesthood in the Episcopal Church in 1977 for sexual abuse of children, some of whom had been in attendance at similar "spiritual retreats" being conducted by Baumann in DioTex. Baumann received 10 years' probation, plus community service and a fine, after pleading guilty to charges of two felonies, second-degree child abuse of a then-eight-year-old boy.  The plea deal was reached to save the child from the further trauma of a jury trial.  Baumann has supposedly agreed with TEO that he will work only with adults and that all prospective attendees will be advised of his past with the upcoming retreats.  Yet apparently his own website and promotional materials make no such disclosure.

Some will no doubt argue that the church should be forgiving.  Forgive, yes, but not forget.  It is fine to forgive someone such as Baumann for his past sins, but it is utterly foolish to aid and abet him in going back into a highly-similar context to facilitate an adult retreat.  It is even more foolish for an institution such as TEO to do so, for it is taking on massive legal exposure should Baumann revert to form and molest someone at these retreats.  And it is beyond foolish for TEO to sign onto this nonsense given its rapidly-declining reputation for declining morality among American churchgoers.  Is TEO trying to replace the American Catholic Church as the home place for sexual depravity in America?  Seems like it.

Virtue also points out the inconsistency of this action with TEO's own stated position:

"In another note of irony the Episcopal Church passed two resolutions on child abuse in 2003, 9 altogether since 1985. The most pertinent one was in 1985-B014, which directed bishops to establish workshops for clergy on child abuse. At the 68th General Convention, it was passed overwhelmingly. In 2003, at the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church it passed resolution B008 titled "Protect Children and Youth from Abuse." It was overwhelming passed. "The 74th General Convention recommits itself to the vision of A Children's Charter for the Church, and directs each diocese to develop and adopt policies for the protection of children and youth from abuse."

So, here's the public perception of the TEO of today:  "Say, aren't you the gay church?  Yeah, and the one with the sex abusers and pedophiles in the clergy, even after they're convicted.  What's up with that?  Gee, I thought the Catholics were bad, but you guys take the cake."

Comments

[Undergroundpewster]

Another example that the leadership of the Episcopal Church is the problem not the solution. Where will the next generation of leaders come from? When will they arise?