Sunday, January 18, 2009

More stories of clergy debauchery

I'm actually behind on posting these. My inbox overflows with the crap. It seems like the Catholics are dominating the press coverage. In the battle for abusive supremacy, the Baptists and the Catholics seem to relish their position atop the shit pile.

Arkansas Pastor Accused Of Sexual Assault

Leroy Spears Jr., 56, was arrested after the 17-year-old told police Spears called her into his study Dec. 30 at Union Baptist Church, locked the door and tried to kiss her. Police said the girl also reported that Spears grabbed her breast and tried to put his hand down her pants.

Trial set for two Delray priests accused of stealing from parish

The Revs. John Skehan, 81, and Francis "Frank" Guinan, 66, are scheduled for trial Wednesday, each charged with one count of grand theft over $100,000 - a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Each is accused of pilfering hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Roman Catholic parish they were tapped to grow and inspire, St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach.

Va. pastor to serve time for embezzlement

Fr. Rodney L. Rodis, a suspended priest of the Diocese of Richmond, was sentenced Jan. 14 to 13 years in state prison for embezzling funds from two parishes he served as pastor.

He will serve the sentence, handed down by Judge Timothy K. Sanner of the Louisa County Circuit Court, after he completes a 63-month term in federal prison.

Charity founder gets prison for tax evasion

The Rev. Albert Salmon Jr., who founded a mission intended to assist the poor and homeless in Charleston, on Thursday was sentenced to prison, probation and community service.

A jury convicted the Good Samaritan Mission founder of failing to report more than $465,000 in income from tax years 1999-2002. He also pleaded guilty to four counts of providing false information to the S.C. Secretary of State’s Office.

Mass. priest in abuse case returns to ministry

Church leaders said Friday that restrictions on the Rev. Eugene Sullivan's "exercise of public ministry" were lifted after an archdiocesan review board found the allegation against him was unsubstantiated.

Sullivan and two other priests were accused in 2005 of sexually abusing a boy in the 1970s. The church settled the case last month for $475,000 without any admission of guilt

Priest accused of sex abuse to hold town hall meeting

The Catholic Diocese of Venice is investigating claims of sexual misconduct by a priest in 1993. They announced the investigation in late December.

The Priest, Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph denies the allegation. His lawyer has told a local Anna Maria Island newspaper that the Reverend wishes to hold a public forum to discuss the allegations.

Each story is a tragedy of mistrust, abuse, and deceit. My life is so much healthier without religion.