The Dallas Episcopal Diocese’s stockbroker-priest scandal is getting uglier.
A second clergyman is leaving his pulpit, at least temporarily ”“ and he fired a parting shot Thursday at parishioners who have accused him of misconduct related to their investments.
“I’m going to respond aggressively to these charges,” said the Rev. Raymond Jennison, adding that he is contemplating legal action. “I feel I’ve been defamed.”
Jennison said he asked Bishop James Stanton for a 90-day leave of absence from his part-time post at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Garland. The bishop, he said, granted the request without showing emotion.
It still amazes me that no one until things turned sour apparently thought it was at all odd that a priest would have such financial relationships with parishioners. This is a blatant conflict of interest. And how is this any different that the various financial scams perpetrated by corrupt televangelists? One could argue that at least they are being up front about their avarice and intention to convince people to part with their money for the benefit of their lifestyles. That the bishop has to make plain that such dealings are inappropriate says a great deal about the ethical sensibilities of those who apparently didn’t think this was a big deal.
Actually, I don’t think that anyone suspected that Jennison or Warnky either one were selling securities to parisoners.
This is a danger in a “tent maker” priest – not just with parishoners, but with anyone who is a member of the Church. At no time should any clergy person have a fiduciary responsibility with a member in his parish or even a member of the diocese. If you are a lawyer-priest, you should ask another lawyer in your firm to represent the person. If you are a insurance salesman/broker priest, you sould do the same. If you are in sales or any “relationship” oriented business, you should not have direct customer responsibilities with a member of the diocese. There should never be the appearance that you are using your position as clergy to help you secure or build business.
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
There is more to the story. In the Friday Dallas Morning News,
“Stanton’s top aide, Bishop Suffragan Paul Lambert, later issued a news release whose tone contrasted sharply with Jennison’s.
“We are hopeful Ray will use this time wisely in his consideration of this situation,” it said. “Every member of the church must have full confidence in our clergy, and we believe that a dual relationship in financial matters and the mission of the church is a serious matter and may affect the spiritual and pastoral relationship which is a sacred trust.”
In an interview, Lambert said it would be “unfortunate” if Jennison sued parishioners.
The priest owns First Canterbury Securities, where his disgraced colleague William Warnky worked for years.
Warnky recently resigned from the priesthood after a Dallas Morning News investigation showed that he defrauded a parishioner while serving as his broker; ignored financial regulators’ order to pay the man $50,000; was barred from the securities industry; failed to pay child support; was put on probation for contempt of court; and didn’t pay federal income taxes. “