NC vestry member faces child sex abuse charges

A vestry member at a North Carolina church has been charged with sex crimes involving his 5-year-old adopted son. The Raleigh News and Observer has the story. To read Bishop Michael Curry's statement, click Read more.

Bishop Curry:

"Frank Lombard is a parishioner of a congregation in the diocese of North Carolina. It is the bishop’s policy that in matters such as these, clergy will cooperate fully with law enforcement and allow the judicial process to run its course. In keeping with this same policy, clergy will not comment on investigations which are still in progress. The bishops and clergy of this diocese are committed to making certain that all of our churches remain safe places where all may worship and serve God. The Church is providing pastoral care and spiritual guidance for all parishioners who have been affected by this painful situation.”

Posted by Jim Naughton on July 2, 2009 1:36 PM | |
Comments (4)

I guess that I shall put on my asbestos hip waders to see how this fares at STiF. They will be all over this because the guy is gay!

Statistically, most pedophiles are heterosexual men, but that will doubtfully phase any of them.

Posted by David Allen |dah • veed| [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 2, 2009 6:45 PM

So the guy is a vestry member. Nothing in the story indicates that the abuse itself occurred in a church setting or was connected with his position within the church, so why is this story considered to be of particular interest to the wider church? Just wondering.

Posted by Bill Ghrist [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 2, 2009 8:11 PM

Fair question, Bill. The story appeared in a mainstream newspaper and that the bishop made a statement, so I thought the charges were worth taking seriously. On this issue in particular, I think we have to be accountable. Otherwise worse things happen.

Posted by Jim Naughton [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 2, 2009 9:47 PM

Jim, I'm glad you posted this if only to remind us all to pray - not only for Lombard and these children - but also for the Church of the Advocate, a small, wonderful, faithful church that is very dear to my heart.

Pamela Grenfell Smith
Bloomington, Indiana

Posted by Baba Yaga [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 3, 2009 8:54 AM

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