Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Everett Episcopal priest suspended after report of sexual misconduct


An Episcopal priest was permanently suspended from his position at an Everett church last week.

Father Lawrence Perry, who has served as head of Trinity Episcopal Church since 2000, was asked to leave after two adult congregants accused him of sexual misconduct, said Norah Joslyn, a spokeswoman for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, which governs the Everett church. Perry did not dispute the accusations, she said.

Perry could not be reached for comment.

Church leaders don't know whether the two congregants plan to pursue the matter with police or in the courts, she said.

The suspension was effective Thursday, when Bishop Gregory Rickel met with members of the church to explain the situation, Joslyn said. The church has about 400 members, based on numbers from a few years ago, Joslyn said.

Further discipline is likely, Joslyn said. Perry likely will be suspended from serving in any role at the Episcopal Church, she said.

The Rev. Wayne Bond and the Rev. Robert Dunn, who both served under Perry at Trinity, are expected to preach and perform other duties until the diocese finds a permanent replacement.

http://heraldnet.com/article/20090512/NEWS01/705129884

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