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SYRACUSE: Priest abuse report checked. Financial mismanagement also
Episcopal bishop says diocese investigates financial mismanagement claim, too.
By Renee K. Gadoua, Staff writer
Post Standard
SYRACUSE (1/20/2005)-- The local Episcopal bishop Wednesday confirmed the diocese is investigating a report of alleged sexual abuse by a priest 30 years ago.
Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams would not identify the accused priest, except to say the priest is retired. He would not identify the gender of the priest or the victim.
The diocese also is investigating an unrelated allegation of financial mismanagement at a parish, Adams said. He would not name the parish or name the individuals involved.
He said no criminal charges have been filed in either case.
Adams met privately Wednesday afternoon with clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York to discuss the cases.
The diocese includes about 150 clergy and about 22,500 members from Canada to Pennsylvania and from Utica to Waterloo.
"The purpose of the meeting is to offer facts and attempt to clear up any rumor or unsubstantiated allegations that are being spread around the diocese," Adams said in an interview before the meeting.
He said diocesan officials received an allegation within the last several years, accusing a priest of sexual abuse. Since then, rumors have swirled about the alleged incident, but no victim has come forward, he said.
"Nothing could be substantiated," Adams said. "We want to get at the truth."
The diocese's policy includes a response team investigation and an offer of pastoral assistance to alleged victims, Adams said.
"Up to this moment, no victim has been presented to the response team," he said.
It's unclear if the person who notified the diocese is the alleged victim. Adams said he could provide no other information about the incident.
Adams said this is the first reported case of alleged clergy sexual misconduct he has dealt with since he was elected Central New York's 10th Episcopal bishop in 2001. It is also the only reported case in the diocese since 1992, when a high-profile priest resigned from the ministry after admitting sexual contact with several young men, including at least one teenager, Adams said.
The previous case involved the Rev. Wallace Frey, pastor of St. David's Episcopal Church in DeWitt for 28 years and chair of a national committee examining the Episcopal Church's position on sexuality.
Frey was not charged with a crime.
Adams said he issued what is known as "pastoral direction" for the priest now serving at the parish where the alleged sexual abuse occurred.
"It has been issued for the well-being of the priest and the well-being of the parish," he said. "It is a set of requirements the priest is expected to follow to help the priest personally and help the parish."
Adams said he has visited the parish and discussed the case with members of the congregation.
"We've been very open in our process," he said.
Adams said he has little information about a complaint of inappropriate financial procedures at a parish.
"That unsubstantiated allegation seems to have no merit," he said.
Adams said he does not know if the alleged financial impropriety includes criminal behavior.
"Unless this uncovers criminal wrongdoing we will not reveal the results. That is family business," he said.
© 2005 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.
