A priest in an Episcopal church in Texas has been arrested and charged with on-line solicitation of a minor and has been suspended from his place on the church.
Roar. Jason Myers, affiliate rector at Trinity Episcopal Church of Fort Price, was arrested on felony costs April 11 by authorities in Collin County.
Roar. Robert F. Tempo, rector of Trinity Episcopal, despatched a letter to the congregation on Saturday detailing the state of affairs, noting that “Bishop Andy Doyle has suspended Jason's ministry beneath Title IV of the Episcopal Church's Clergy Disciplinary Canons. “
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“Which means Jason isn’t permitted to function an Episcopal priest in any capability throughout the investigation and pending authorized proceedings,” Tempo wrote.
“It will likely be unimaginable for him to have contact with anybody in our ward. Please know that he and his household could have pastoral assist because the authorized state of affairs develops.”
Tempo went on to clarify that whereas “we’ve got no purpose to consider that anybody in our church or faculty has been harmed,” there are “plenty of issues that we don't know or perceive, and we’ve got plenty of questions that we are able to't reply but. .”
“I need to guarantee you that we’re cooperating absolutely with legislation enforcement and can share data with you because it turns into out there,” he continued, including that “this case is stunning.”
“As we mourn this information and search understanding, please be part of me in praying for all these affected. We pray for all youngsters and adults who’ve skilled hurt. We pray for our parish household. We’re praying for Jason's spouse and their youngsters. Please pray for Jason as effectively.”
Lately, there was a lot debate throughout the Episcopal Church about how clear it has been relating to ethical complaints made in opposition to clergy, particularly bishops.
In February, the mainline Protestant denomination launched a three-part protocol to make sure higher transparency about disciplinary circumstances introduced in opposition to clergy.
These three elements included the creation of an internet site for reporting alleged misconduct, one other web site that gives up-to-date data on circumstances, and an annual report documenting complaints.
In a letter despatched final month, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry stated “expertise over the previous a number of years with Title IV issues involving bishops has prompted requires higher transparency within the course of.”
“The protocol will present higher transparency in Title IV processes whereas adequately defending privateness, all within the service of furthering the targets set forth in Canon I of Title IV,” Curry wrote.
