Posted on 07/18/2008 10:57:36 AM PDT by SmithL
James Tramel went from convicted murderer to priest while in prison, a transformation that the Episcopal Church used to successfully lobby for his parole and celebrate him before politicians and the press.
But the church is now grappling with the sexual abuse of a parishioner under his care. Tramel has been suspended for sexual misconduct, temporarily stripped of his priestly authority and left searching for a new job.
The San Francisco-based Episcopal Diocese of California now faces questions of whether, in its haste to proclaim Tramel's story, it redeemed and promoted him too quickly.
Convicted of second-degree murder in a 1985 slaying, Tramel went to seminary and was ordained a priest while incarcerated in a state prison in Solano County. After he was paroled early in 2006, at the urging of the Episcopal bishop of California, Tramel was quickly placed at the helm of the historic Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco.
It's there that the victim said Tramel, who is married and has a young child, took advantage of her during counseling sessions.
"They didn't give an honest depiction of this man," said the victim, a 36-year-old San Francisco resident. The Chronicle does not identify victims of sexual abuse.
The diocese acknowledges that Tramel abused his power and committed sexual misconduct, according to diocesan spokesman Sean McConnell, as well as a letter from diocesan Chancellor William Orrick and other documents. Tramel has been suspended for two years, but he can apply for reinstatement after the suspension is served. Tramel did not return calls.
The victim has asked for $265,000 for therapy and to move from her rent-controlled apartment, which is near the Bush Street church, where the relationship started. She also asked that Tramel be prohibited from resuming priestly duties.
The diocese countered with an offer for "spiritual support"
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
FYI
Murder, prison, sexual sins, and TEC...oh my...
Well it was only second degree murder, how would they have known?
“Misprize common sense at your peril is my motto.”— Kingsley Amis, Stanley and the Women.
If he’s for gay marriage, ordination, etc., give him a pass.
[2005] In prison as murderer, he is now (Episcopal) priest
[2006] Schwarzenegger to parole murderer who became priest in prison
Yeah, good luck with that counteroffer < /s>
It's hard to believe this isn't satire. An Episcopal Church actually had a prison-minted "clergyman" delivering sermons to a congregation via telephone, on account of how he couldn't leave the prison yet ??? Then lobbied to get him paroled early and sent the parolee straight from prison to being in charge of a whole congregation ?????
San Francisco...waddya know...
So who is surprised. It is a church of Satan, especially in San Francisco.
Tramel is scheduled to be released Sunday (2006), said the Rev. Richard Helmer, a San Francisco clergyman who coordinated a campaign for his parole.
I wonder if Tramel is gay. Why would a man kill a homeless person unless he was homeless himself or a druggie or involved in some homosexual argument.
Just what the Episcopalian clergy needs -- another gay pastor.
Ooops. That’s what I get for not reading the thread, but just your links. Of course he’s gay.
Though I still think he's gay.
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Sounds like he’s almost qualified to be a Bishop.
It also sounds like the victim is a bit greedy.
No, he's a heterosexual predator.
These liberals prove once again that they have NO real world sense whatsoever.
We pray for all bishops, priests and deacons. That they may be faithful ministers of (God's) Word and Sacraments...
Is that from the ‘79? Why the parens?
It took me a little while to locate one of my copies of the ‘79 book (we keep them in boxes in the basement) but there it was on page 383.
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