Priest Arrested For Allegedly Soliciting A Prostitute

wftv ^ | 08..05.2003 | AP

[RedBloodedAmerican]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Roman Catholic priest was arrested for soliciting a prostitute and masturbating in his car, sheriff's officials said Monday.

The Rev. Thomas Vellappallil, 40, was charged late Friday with soliciting a prostitute and committing a lewd act for offering to pay an undercover police officer $20 for oral sex, according to a report from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Father Thomas was driving a car owned by his religious order, The Missionaries of Lasalette in Connecticut. The undercover female officer posing as a prostitute wouldn't have known he's a priest. He was not wearing his collar when he was arrested, but rather an ivory shirt and khaki slacks. And he might not have admitted it to investigators. The report lists Thomas' occupation only as "Good Shepherd Church."

He was released on $750 bond.

Vellappallil has been removed from the ministry, said Carol Brinati, spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Orlando. "He can't work as a priest in our diocese pending the outcome of the investigation," she said.

Vellappallil had served at his church, Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Orlando, for four years, Brinati said. He was an associate pastor.

"I dearly love the man. I know him fairly well. I've talked to him many, many times. He's just a very loving Christian man," says Parishioner Steve Brook. "The Lord told us anybody without failures can pick up stones and throw them at other people. But other than that, you better not try to do that stuff. That's why I won't do that. I've got my own problems and failures."

The Orlando Catholic Diocese says it's up to his religious order to decide what to do with him once his prostitution charge is resolved. One way or the other, he's charged with misdemeanors so he won't go to prison.

But the Orlando Diocese is not obligated to tell other dioceses that Father Thomas was arrested. So it's possible he'll be transferred to another Catholic church that knows nothing about all of this.

A call placed to Vellappallil at Good Shepherd was referred to the diocese.

[NYer]

Just think, if he had solocited a man, he could be a Bishop.

No, this is a catholic priest ...... not an Episcopalian prelate.

[AppyPappy]

Well, it should at least be good for a transfer to a position dealing with prostitutes.

[truenospinzone]

Well, to play devil's advocate (poor choice of words, I know), this priest was clearly guilty. He solicited sexual favors from an undercover cop; no room for he-said she-said there. The allegations of child molestation are just that, allegations, made several years after the fact in some cases, and with no clear proof. While I believe most of the accused priests are guilty, it's quite obvious that there's a difference between accusations of abuse and concrete proof of illegal activity.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Really. There is some hope although a man who would visit a prostitute is pretty much a loser

So you suggest he try to DATE?

[Bluntpoint]

Since the allegations of child abuse were not reported to civil authorities by the church hierarchy, "proof" could not be fleshed out.

[Semper Paratus]

Must have been inspired by Hugh Grant.

[AppyPappy]

I thought that was what house keepers were for. Or whatever they call those women who live in the parish house.

[Bluntpoint]

So you suggest he try to DATE?

It certainly would be less stessful for all those involved.

[Bluntpoint]

stessful = stressful

Maybe my wife should let me "date."

[fr_freak]

A Roman Catholic priest was arrested for soliciting a prostitute and masturbating in his car

If he was doing this, what the hell did he need to solicit the prostitute for? To clean his car afterwards?

[Chi-townChief]

Better yet; give him a TV show like Swaggart and Bakker.

[George W. Bush]

Rome's minions are improving. I greatly prefer heterosexual sex scandals involving priests.

Better get word to the Episcopalians.

[LouD]

Catholics can protect themselves from priests such as this

Why do you feel you need protection? He succumbed to earthly desire, and committed a sin. Are you without sin? I'm not, and I don't know anyone else who is, either.

There is nothing in this story to indicate that this priest poses a threat to anyone. Did he commit a crime in soliciting a prostitute? Yes, but one could argue that of the avenues open to him once he decided to sin, this was the least harmful way for him to proceed.

It was wrong. It is an unfortunate episode. He exhibited poor judgement. But there is nothing here to indicate that he deserves to be viewed in the same light as any of the highly publicized pedophile cases.

[Prince Caspian]

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues." Rev 18:4

[Onelifetogive]

There is nothing in this story to indicate that this priest poses a threat to anyone.

If you take physical violence or abuse as the only way a priest is a "threat" to his subjects, you are correct.

I think the role of "spiritual leader" goes far beyond that. How can someone who solicits a prostitute lead his people to a "deeper relationship with God." He doesn't have a deep relationship with God!

The members of the parish should have the option of selecting their own priest. One they can be comfortable with. One who meets their needs. One they can trust.

[goldstategop]

Aren't Catholic priests required to uphold a vow of celibacy?? Hmmm... looks like he's in serious trouble before God and the Church cause he broke his vows.

[cmsgop]

Love the Sinner ???????

[Steve0113]

"Come hither, my lovely one. I shall absolve you of your sins.

FYI, under Church law any priest who gives absolution to a partner in sexual sin is excommunicated and, if I recall correctly, only the diocesan bishop has the authority to lift that excommunication. A priest would be playing with very serious fire to do such a thing.

[Steve0113]

Aren't Catholic priests required to uphold a vow of celibacy?? Hmmm... looks like he's in serious trouble before God and the Church cause he broke his vows.

He certainly is, with both. Morally, it's as bad as a man cheating on his wife. Vows are serious.

[ejo]

" best are not able to reproduce"

Huh! haven't you heard of sperm donations?