[BUMPED] An Ominous Trend: SNAP and the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
The Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests [SNAP] is well-known for its efforts to call public attention to the terrible cover-up of sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church.
Last year, SNAP turned their attention to John Bennison, [brother of Episcopal Bishop Charles Bennison of Pennsylvania], who had apparently engaged in a three-year affair with a 14-year-old girl back in the 1970s while serving as a parish youth director in the parish where brother Charles served as rector. The story was well-covered in newpapers and blogland and SNAP appeared prominently in those stories as it worked to encourage the resignation of John Bennison as rector of St. John’s.
The October 29 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, for instance, had this to say:
“Joey Piscitelli, cochair of the San Francisco-area chapter of the Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), last week said he believed Charles Bennison’s failure to report his brother was inexcusable.
“His brother was committing a crime, and he was covering for his brother, and that’s a crime. To say there was no need to report it is baloney,” said Piscitelli, who earlier this year led SNAP’s effort to remove John Bennison from St. John’s parish in Clayton, Calif., where he had been rector since 1982.
David Clohessy, national director of SNAP, said last week he thought “there should be consequences” for Charles Bennison.
He “at least has the moral obligation to publicly come clean,” Clohessy said, “to disclose fully his complicity, to reach out to his brother’s victims, and directly apologize and make amends to them and lead by example.”
A letter from SNAP to the clergy of the Diocese of California detailed the twists and turns of the 20 year saga, which appears to have included cover-ups by two bishops of Los Angeles and one bishop of California.
“A full church investigation took place in 1993 in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Bishop Swing participated in the investigation. Despite admission of criminal and unethical behavior, as proven by the Episcopal Church investigation, Bennison has remained in ministry and is currently working with children and families at St. John’s Parish in Clayton. He has never been reported to law enforcement. Rather, Bennison has been protected both by Bishop Swing and by ineffective Episcopal Canon Law that allows diocesan Bishops sole decision authority - autonomous ecclesiastical authority - in matters pertaining to clergy abuse.
Kendall Harmon covered the story too.
What does this depressing story in California have to do with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota?
It seems that SNAP is involved with another story about an ex-Episcopal priest and the retreat center, “Episcopal House of Prayer,” in the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota.
The Episcopal House of Prayer offers such helpful retreats as “Taking Jesus Seriously: Buddhist Meditation for Christians,” “Yoga: A Spiritual Practice,” and “Wisdom School Introduction”, this latter taught by Lynn Bauman. From the Retreat Center website is this helpful description of the course:
“Fifty years ago a very ancient and precious document from the beginning of Christianity came to light—the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. It was found in Egypt, and only surfaced onto the contemporary scene after much difficulty and intrigue. Clearly, this woman student of Jesus played an important role not only in his life, but also in the early formation of Christianity. Ultimately she and her Gospel were rejected and disappeared from view – only to surface 2000 years later.
Legends, such as those now told in the popular DaVinci Code, are widely available today. Though a mixture of fact and fiction, they point to a deeper reality that this Gospel uncovers and makes available now, after lying hidden from view for thousands of years. Are we ready for what it reveals?
Perhaps we are! In this seminar we will explore the legends, the Gospel, and the principles of the Divine Feminine all of which intrigue our modern imagination. Critical to each of us is the wisdom they bring to our own lives, and to the collective life of modern humanity. Come prepared for an adventure of Spirit. Cost: $310”
On Tuesday this week, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune revealed that Dr. Bauman is a registered sex offender:
“A group representing clergy sex-abuse victims criticized an Episcopal retreat center in Collegeville, Minn., on Tuesday for inviting a registered sex offender—the brother of the center’s director—to lead a retreat this weekend.
Lynn Bauman, 64, admitted to molesting an 8-year-old boy on a camping trip in 1996 and was sentenced to 10 years’ probation, according to the Texas Department of Corrections. He said Tuesday night that he admitted to wrongdoing and has not reoffended, and that it is “not germane” to his work now.”
Today, St. Paul Pioneer Press also picked up the story:
Organizers “are in denial. They should warn people. They have a responsibility to protect children; they owe society that,” said Bob Schwiderski of the Minnesota chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
But church officials and the Episcopal House of Prayers board president asked for understanding and forgiveness Wednesday.
“Clearly an incident occurred. And he has been judged and punished,” said Helen Hansen, of St. Paul, a longtime retreat center board member and its president. “He has taken the proper steps. We are not dealing with a repeat offender. … He has something important — insight and wisdom — to share.”
Of course, Abuse Tracker, a blog by retired religion reporter Kathy Shaw has noted the story.
The original story about the abuse, from an October 1999 issue of the Anglican Journal offered these details:
“Dr. Lynn Bauman, 57, pleaded guilty in Texas to indecency with a child by contact and inducing a sexual performance by a child. He was sentenced in August to 10 years probation, fined $1,500 and ordered to perform 240 hours of community service.”
Bishop Stanton, Diocese of Dallas, appears to have done the right thing:
“The charges relate to an incident at a north Texas retreat run by Dr. Bauman. Bishop James Stanton of the Diocese of Dallas said Dr. Bauman voluntarily resigned after the allegations came to light in April 1997.
“He said, ‘I want to save the diocese some grief,’ and he resigned,” Bishop Stanton said. The bishop sent a notice of renunciation (stating that Dr. Bauman was no longer licensed as a priest) to all U.S. Episcopal dioceses in May 1997. The church also notified civil authorities about the allegation, as required by law.”
But honestly, the quotes by Canadian Anglican leaders in this 1999 story reveal much about how far Anglicans had sunk in North America even 8 years ago:
According to the story, the dean of the Diocese of Calgary Robert Pynn said that Dr. Bauman “should not be “tarred in a sexual context” and “I’m not going to convict him in my heart and I hope that other people do not, either”.
The article goes on to say:
“I think people make mistakes and there are consequences, but I do not think we should tar him in a sexual context,” the dean said. He suggested media coverage of the incident did not reflect its true context. . . . Dr. Bauman had informed Calgary Archbishop Barry Curtis of the allegations, Dean Pynn confirmed. The dean, who has spoken with Dr. Bauman, expressed concern that society presumes total guilt before all the facts are revealed.
“The court system and trials are very expensive and unless you have the resources, it can be very difficult to defend yourself,” Dean Pynn said.
Dr. Bauman was advised to plea-bargain, which meant he could not defend himself, the dean said. “While he confessed to the charges I’m convinced that he is not guilty in the true moral sense of the word.”
I am not the only one that felt the statement by the Dean was unfortunate.
Letters to the editor of the Anglican Journal in November of 1999 also expressed dismay.
Dr. Cathy Campbell of Vancouver had this to say:
“. . . I was deeply distressed by the presumptuous judgment of Dean Robert Pynn: “While he confessed to the charges, I’m convinced that he is not guilty in the true moral sense of the word,” and by its inclusion in our national church newspaper (Theologian Convicted of Sex Offences in U.S., October Journal.)
A plea bargain not only silenced Lynn, but it also silenced the child. On what basis was innocence judged? The dean’s statement is a direct contradiction of Dr. Gilmartin’s closing remark on page 10 of the same edition of the Journal: “the church’s first obligation must be to the victim; the second must be to help the church; and the third must be to assist the cleric.”
M. Murray Hayes of Ontario commented:
“Then I read Theologian Convicted of Sex Offences with its defence of someone found guilty by church and court. And I realize it will happen again, as long as there are people who will excuse and condone. The article is based upon the opinion of someone totally separated from the events. There is no in depth interview with the priest’s bishop, no connection with the victim. I am sure that those in charge of church run residences told themselves, “I’m convinced that he is not guilty in the true moral sense of the word.” And so the victimization continued and will continue.
And Judy Watkins of British Columbia wrote:
“I was disappointed at the quoted reaction of Dean Robert Pynn of Calgary to Dr Lynn Bauman’s conviction on two charges of indecency with a child. The dean feels that this should not overshadow Dr. Bauman’s “positive contributions to the diocese,” and he characterizes Dr. Bauman’s conviction as the consequence of a mistake.
To me, there is a vast difference between a “mistake” and the crime of sexual abuse to which Dr. Bauman pleaded guilty. In spite of this, Dean Pynn lauds Dr. Bauman as an “influential teacher,” sees the whole affair as “a great tragedy for him,” and insists that this man should not be “tarred in a sexual context.”
Nowhere did I get a sense of empathy for the victim. Does not the image of a teacher convicted of assaulting a child who has worked in the Calgary diocese set off any alarm bells for Dean Pynn? He had better pray that this is an isolated incident even though the odds are that it is not.”
A little more web surfing reveals that Dr. Bauman blogs here at “Clusterflock” and here at the blogspot of the Oriental Orthodox Order in the West which appears to be a religious organization that decries the “dogma” of the West and values the gnosticism, creation spirituality, diversity, and inclusive values of “the East”.
From the web site, we learn that those involved in the Oriental Orthodox Order in the West value these things:
Spiritual Recovery in the West
The following elements, therefore, are integral to the spiritual consciousness and practice of western Christianity if we are to make a full recovery in the West.
The Eternal Wisdom of Jesus. Jesus the Jewish sage was a powerful teacher of unitive wisdom. We must recover his teachings as the source not only of historical Christian doctrine, but as a living transmission of wisdom. Such wisdom, however, cannot be taken simply from the past, it must also come to us from the present—from a living relationship to Jesus as the Master of wisdom now. Only in this way can Christianity once again become a sapiential transmission bringing unitive vision into the present and the future.
Full Restoration of the “Other” Christianity. As we have seen, in the West, Christianity has conventionally been conceived as a belief system reflecting a traditional dogma heavily influenced by the Augustinian and Latin worldviews. Early Christian teaching, however, expressed something far more remarkable—a vision full of hope. It is time that we articulate anew the revelatory vision of the divine Presence working intimately at the heart of human history for the completion of humanity.
The Fullness of the Mystical Tradition. The wisdom of Jesus, known by mystical experience and taught within the inner tradition of Christianity, was often transmitted in alternative systems of thought and symbol that now go almost completely unrecognized. We are heirs to ancient Semitic and Hellenic understanding, to Hermeticism, and to the Pythagorean mysteries of the ancient world. We are also spiritual descendents of medieval theosophists, alchemists, and metaphysicians, as well as Kabbalists and Sufis, all of whom have contributed to the rich treasury of spiritual perceptions that comprise our world today. Our work, therefore, must be to locate essential Christianity within this wider context—a fullness once lost but now being recovered.
A Comprehensive Orthodoxy. Reflecting the early experience of Oriental Orthodoxy, Christianity today must become more inclusive. There is need that it not only be in conversation with its own age and culture, but with all the ages of humanity and the other sacred cultures and traditions with which it shares this planet. And because Christianity is one among the many expressions of perennial wisdom (sophia perennis) it must acknowledge and transmit this metaphysical foundation as an integral part of its understanding of orthodoxy.
And of course, there is so much more.
Dr. Bauman is the director of The Praxis Learning Center, which is connected with the Oriental Orthodox Order of the West. The Praxis web site offers these interesting books for sale:
A Handbook to Practical Wisdom: A Study Guide
A Short Course on Wisdom
Ancient Songs Sung Anew: The Psalms as Poetry
The Anglican Rosary
The Book of Prayers
Foundations of Christian Spirituality - The Biblical Tradition: Revised Edition with Study Guide
The Gospel of Thomas: Wisdom of the Twin
NEW!—In Trouble and In Wonder, Vol. I - a spiritual commentary on the wisdom tradition of the Gospel of Thomas
Living Presence: A Sufi Way of Mindfulness and the Essential Self
Living the Presence: A Manual for Contemplative Christian Practice
Finally, Dr. Bauman will be speaking at the gay activist organization DignityUSA Convention [the Roman Catholic equivalent to Integrity] in Austin this year; his topic will be on the “Gnostic Gospel of Thomas and Wisdom Christianity”. The keynote speaker at the DignityUSA Convention is Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong.
Let’s recap.
—The Episcopal Retreat Center seems to be largely interested in presenting workshops on eastern religion, with a thin and obscuring glaze of Christianity baked on
—It chooses as a key presenter a person who is heavily and intensely involved with gnostic spirituality and a presenter at a gay activist organization
—He is also a convicted sexual offender
I need to be clear. Those who are convicted of crimes—any crimes—are certainly allowed to support themselves and be contributing members of society. That is not the issue here, nor does it seem to be the issue of SNAP.
But the entire array of facts raises some interesting questions for Episcopalians in the Diocese of Minnesota.
1. Is anyone concerned about the non-Christian and rather unbalanced teaching that is going on at the retreat center?
2. Is it significant that Ward Bauman, the director of the retreat center, is Lynn Bauman’s brother, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press?
3. What should the diocese of Minnesota do, if anything, about assuring the moral character of spiritual leaders of the flock of Jesus Christ?
4. Is anyone—particularly laity—in the Diocese of Minnesota awake out there?
5. And . . . [this appears to be SNAP’s issue] should the diocese have been up-front, at the least, about the criminal activities of Dr. Bauman at a retreat in 1997 so that parents could be informed, rather than appear to be keeping retreat attenders and Episcopalians in the diocese in the dark?
As I have [cautiously] observed the activities of SNAP over the past years, I know one thing. If SNAP gets a religious organization “in its sights”, suspecting it of a pattern of coverups, transfers, lies, and deceit, it will track that organization down and hound it to the grave.
It will never stop.
I don’t know what SNAP is thinking about the past two “experiences” its had with leaders in our denomination.
Their issue with the retreat center and the diocese of Minnesota seems to be best described in this quote from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
“SNAP believes retreat participants “should not be kept in the dark” if a facilitator is a sex offender.
“We want to be fair to the institutions involved, and this might be an excellent program, but let’s call a spade a spade,” he said. “Sex offenders are registered for a reason. People should not be kept in the dark about who they’re dealing with.”
As I ponder the last three rather eye-opening years for me and other traditional Episcopalians, I think I know exactly what SNAP means when it talks about people being “kept in the dark.”
Traditional Episcopalians are quite familiar with that sensation about a broad array of other matters.
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62 comments
“Clusterflock” is clearly a takeoff on the slang term “Clusterf*ck.” It’s used to describe a chaotic situation, but is also well-known for its obvious group-sex meaning as well.
By their fruits ye shall know them, I guess.
[1] Posted by Greg Griffith on 2-9-2007 at 08:15 AM · [top]
Greg, Sarah, someone!!! You might want to pick up on the “story” in TX that KSH has posted this morning.
“Episcopal Rector charged with sexual assault of teen”
In my mind, there is NO question that we are willingly walking the path of the Roman Catholic Church, only difference, no one even bothers to “hush it up”.
Horrible,
Grannie Gloria
[2] Posted by Grandmother on 2-9-2007 at 08:35 AM · [top]
Glad you made the connection, Grasshopper. Apparently Bishop Jelinek regards a Primate of the Anglican Communion as more of a danger to the church’s ministry than an abusive sex offender and heretic. And if past experience means anything, the 1996 Texas case was just the one for which he was caught and convicted. While the bishop and others in the diocese may be (intentionally) blind to it, the irony and the tragedy were not lost on some of us in Minnesota. May the Lord deliver us from such arrogance—maybe next week!
[3] Posted by notworthyofthename on 2-9-2007 at 10:33 AM · [top]
How deep are the pockets of TEC? Rome found out its wasn’t ever deep enough according to some lawyers and the press. But of course, the worst offending diocese (that I know of) was Boston’s and it tried to squash the immoral behavior and its effects on the victims through arrogance, transfers, fear, and cheap payments with stipulations attached that furthered the coverup.
While it seems horrific now, just wait and have a lot of money in those deep pockets.
[4] Posted by Steven on 2-9-2007 at 11:10 AM · [top]
This story would have been better served if writer Sarah Hey had fact checked re John Bennison. The SNAP letter is from June of 06 and much has happened since then to resolve this long standing and troubling situation.
[5] Posted by Bruce Linsenmayer on 2-9-2007 at 11:33 AM · [top]
Bruce,
Not sure you read the entire article. The story is not about Bennison but Dr. Baumann, a convicted child abuser and defrocked Episcopal priest, who is being given access to Diocese sponsored events. I believe she was simply referencing the problem with Bennison.
[6] Posted by JackieB on 2-9-2007 at 11:43 AM · [top]
Please re-read the opening paragraphs for more clarity.
[7] Posted by JackieB on 2-9-2007 at 11:44 AM · [top]
RE: “. . . much has happened since then to resolve this long standing and troubling situation.”
So true, Bruce. That is why I posted within the story the link to the blog story headlined “Episcopal bishop asks Clayton priest to resign” along with several other links, so that on the off chance that those who had not followed that particular story wanted to they could. ; > )
But as the story is not about John Bennison and his resignation [he did resign] but about SNAP and the Episcopal church in the Diocese of Minnesota, I only used the early paragraphs in the story as background.
It is, after all, a story that the Titusonenine and the StandFirm commenters are grindingly familiar with as it played out last year.
Thanks for commenting here, Bruce!
[8] Posted by Sarah on 2-9-2007 at 11:45 AM · [top]
Excuse me folks and Sarah Hey, but this piece is muckraking in its lowest form.
1. The Episcopal Retreat Center seems to be largely interested in presenting workshops on eastern religion, with a thin and obscuring glaze of Christianity baked on… Not true. See The Episcopal House of Prayer web site:
[url=http://www.ehouseofprayer.org/]http://www.ehouseofprayer.org/ [/url]
2. It chooses as a key presenter a person who is heavily and intensely involved with gnostic spirituality and a presenter at a gay activist organization… So what? Big deal…to YOU. It’s a sin to talk to gay people?
3. He is also a convicted sexual offender… Muckraking! By your own admission all those in authority, religious and secular, were made aware of the facts about Lynn Bauman. There was no involvement of minors at these events at The House of Prayer. Bauman served his sentence, was removed from the ministry and has had a clean record for over ten years.
4. Is anyone concerned about the non-Christian and rather unbalanced teaching that is going on at the retreat center? I guess not. Why do you call this “Non-Christian?” What’s wrong with these titles from Praxis?
* A Handbook to Practical Wisdom: A Study Guide
* A Short Course on Wisdom
* Ancient Songs Sung Anew: The Psalms as Poetry
* The Anglican Rosary
* The Book of Prayers
* Foundations of Christian Spirituality - The Biblical Tradition: Revised Edition with Study Guide
* Living the Presence: A Manual for Contemplative Christian Practice
Gnostic?? Since when is contemplative prayer Gnostic? In your imagination…
It’s not so much SNAP that has The House of Prayer in its sights, as it’s Sarah Hey and her “traditionalist” companions here going after a good work of the Minnesota diocese by furthering the use of character assasination.
Shame!
[9] Posted by Robert Zacher on 2-9-2007 at 11:48 AM · [top]
If the Roman Catholic church can be sued for actions of homosexual priests with parishioners, will the Episcopal Church be any less liable for knowingly ordaining practicing homosexual priests and bishops in contravention to its own rules and principles against homosexuality when involved with parishioners?
Adults in authority must act now to save the Episcopal Church by enforcing its own rules and principles regardless as to how un-politically correct this might appear to others.
[10] Posted by MasterServer on 2-9-2007 at 11:54 AM · [top]
Hi Robert,
Glad to have you commenting here.
One question.
Was the the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press “muckraking” this week as well, when they broke the story this week?
[11] Posted by Sarah on 2-9-2007 at 11:56 AM · [top]
Sarah did not assassinate this guy’s character, she merely publicized it.
[12] Posted by Cousin Vinnie on 2-9-2007 at 12:00 PM · [top]
I think it might be helpful for our readers to see the list of 14 courses listed at the Episcopal House of Prayer Retreat Center on the calendar for this year, which link is already posted in the story:
1. Writing from the Heart
2. Taking Jesus Seriously: Buddhist Meditation for Christians
3. Participation in God
4. Wisdom School Introduction
5. Listening To Your Life: A Retreat for Those in Mid-Life Transition
6. Spirituality and Addiction
7. Kenosis: the Prayer of Self-Emptying
8. A School of Contemplative Wisdom
(Week 1)
9. A School of Contemplative Wisdom
(Week 2)
10. Benedictine Experience
11. Cooking Your Life
12. Yoga: A Spiritual Practice
13. Dancing With God
14. Writing From the Heart
[13] Posted by Sarah on 2-9-2007 at 12:00 PM · [top]
Sarah,
Thank you for all the information you provided. I pray that someone has been sending every one of these stories to the other primates in the Communion - and providing them with a list and description of the books flowing from Church Publishing, Cowley Press, Morehouse, and linking them to the inspirational material in the Women’s Caucus and Gay Ministries pages of the ECUSA’s website. I’ve been astounded that the cases of child abuse and sexual misbehavior among ECUSA clergy have been so little reported. We are awash in this stuff - sometimes, I have the feeling the rest of the Communion hasn’t a clue just how strange and weird life in this church has been for the past 20 years.
Keep up the good work.
[14] Posted by Dan Crawford on 2-9-2007 at 12:01 PM · [top]
Oh, my, I can’t believe Lynn Bauman is back in the news…it just is sickening. You see, Edwin (my husband) and I are members of the small Texas church that he ‘pastored’ so many years ago. And, dear Robert, I can assure you that, at that time, Mr. Bauman did indeed espouse gnostic and unChristian viewpoints. I feel that his time at our church is still, years later, causing problems and confusion with false doctrine and belief.
I would also think that it is important to let others know about Mr. Bauman’s convictions, since child molesters, statistically, have difficulty with recidivism.
On a personal level, I am sitting here totally upset and nauseous knowing that Mr. Bauman is in a position of spiritual authority and teaching. It is very hard to pray for his soul as our Lord commands.
Edwin’s wife, Jane
[15] Posted by Edwin on 2-9-2007 at 12:39 PM · [top]
Here’s a portion of a course-description (led by Mr. Bauman and his brother) found at the House of Prayer - A School of Contemplative Wisdom (Week 2), Aug 2007:
“. . . The first of God’s creations and God’s endless delight, Wisdom (also known as Chochma and Sophia) is the Mother of all life, the guide to right living – She is God manifest in the world you encounter moment to moment.”
Sure. This is orthodox Christianity.
[16] Posted by anglicanhopeful on 2-9-2007 at 01:17 PM · [top]
I knew the name as soon as I saw it - this is the guy who came up with (or maybe just popularized, but I’m pretty sure he actually came up with the idea) the Anglican rosary (many protestants use it now, not just Anglicans).
I personally love the Anglican rosary, use it, have made and given away hundreds of them. I didn’t use his formularies, didn’t like them, but the rosary itself has been great in helping me concentrate and focus in prayer. It depresses me that he would be involved in that kind of darkness.
Then again, several of my very favorite rosary prayers were written by Michael Peers. I always wondered, how could he pray those prayers and yet treat the orthodox as he did…
[17] Posted by Angels Heard On High on 2-9-2007 at 01:24 PM · [top]
Hi Robert,
Glad to have you commenting here.
One question.
Was the the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press “muckraking” this week as well, when they broke the story this week?
I have read both articles from the Star-Tribune and the Pioneer Press. The pieces in both papers were prompted by the SNAP press release of Feb 6, and a letter the editor of the Star-Tribune on Feb. 7. To further enhance the notoriety of the situation, a “sidewalk news conference” is planned by SNAP for later today, Fri, Feb 9, on site at The Episcopal House of Prayer, Collegeville - unless the monks call the police and prevent it. These shenanigans are reported on the SNAP Great Plains Chapter web site which I will link here:
[url=http://www.snap-greatplains.org/]http://www.snap-greatplains.org/ [/url]
To answer your question Sarah, I can only say this in brief. Given the situations with SNAP and Bauman and the pressure appled that prompted them, both newspapers did pretty fair and balanced pieces of reporting. Each paper did a reasonably good job in brief of looking into on SNAP’s gripes about Lynn Bauman. They also reported fairly the position of the the institutions concerned. In my estimation, both newspapers made an honest attempt, in other words, to examine all sides of the story as far as it had developed. I call that fair reporting and not muckraking.
On the other hand, SNAP is in the business of muckraking by its own charter and self definition. What SNAP turns up may not be very pleasant, but someone has to do it, as they say. The problem comes when such good works become partisan and driven by ideology. In other words, there is an ax to grind. That’s when muckraking ceases to have any virtue connected to it.
I would say, Sarah, that you do have an ax to grind, and its obvious to all that you are grinding away with The Episcopal Church in mind. Just look at this Stand Firm web site for Pete’s sake! To answer your question, I think you are guilty of muckraking, editorializing, over reaching without evidence, furthering general hysteria and calculating incitment to riot - all with the highest partisan motives.
If anything, what you have done is worse than SNAP muckraking, for which they are notorious. The newspapers are merely reporting. It was not my intention to call you on that so severely, but I’m going for that opportunity since you asked my opinion.
Thank you for your warm welcome.
[18] Posted by Robert Zacher on 2-9-2007 at 02:22 PM · [top]
Now that I think about it, I do recall Sarah encouraging some elves to riot if things didn’t change around here. And some of her satires are almost as hysterical as Greg’s….Perhaps Robert is right. There’s something about Sarah….
[19] Posted by Craig Uffman on 2-9-2007 at 02:31 PM · [top]
Of all the first-rate minds, generous hearts and rock-solid characters of people in the orthodox Anglican tradition, why would any person, group or body choose to associate itself with such vile men? The only conclusion I can arrive at is that they either agree with them or don’t think it’s any big deal.
Behold the new orthodoxy.
[20] Posted by Jeffersonian on 2-9-2007 at 02:36 PM · [top]
Sounds like ol’ Robert’s ox is being gored.
the snarkster
[21] Posted by the snarkster on 2-9-2007 at 02:59 PM · [top]
Robert,
The purpose of this website is to provide a forum where news and events are made public and available for civil comment. If you lament such sites, you have only have ECUSA to blame. Their actions over the last 40 years all the while reaffirming that All Is Well have forced those who adhere to orthodox Christianity to seek other avenues to find out the truth.
While you may not like what SNAP exposes, I haven’t been able to find where they have espoused something that was not true. Mr. Baumann is, in fact, a convicted child abuser. Yes, he served the time as determined by the court but that does not change the facts. Had the Diocese been open in advising that the speaker was a convicted child abuser then SNAP would not have had anything to announce. All we seek is the truth - nothing more - nothing less.
[22] Posted by JackieB on 2-9-2007 at 03:31 PM · [top]
Robert… is that an axe grinding I hear in the background as you accuse Sarah of axe grinding? I have a low irony threshold, especially where the oblivious are concerned.
Bauman ought to be forgiven, by all of us, by the church, by SNAP, by the victim; however, Bauman ought not to be trusted ever again with the cure of souls…. he has forfeited the right to such a vocation. And judging by the content of his teaching, in apparent dissonance with that of the apostles, perhaps he should never have been trusted with the cure of souls.
Forgiven? Yes. Trusted with millstone opportunities? No.
[23] Posted by Christoferos on 2-9-2007 at 04:05 PM · [top]
You know, I touched on this in the article, but it bears further comment.
I understand that the leaders of the Diocese of Minnesota do not appear to have a problem with the list of questions that I offered at the close of the article.
That is certainly their right.
What I find so distressing is that, judging by the two comments on this thread, and by the past behavior of ECUSA, it appears that what people object to is the *knowledge* of these matters being brought before a wide public eye.
It’s as if not only do revisionist leaders have the right to decide how they will run a retreat center and whom to invite to lead . . . but they also have the right for other Episcopalians in that diocese not to know anything about the facts and decide for themselves.
That’s one of the most disturbing things I see about ECUSA these days . . . and maybe it’s been like this for the past 40 years.
It’s okay—in the minds of revisionist leaders—for the leaders to do what they like and to base their decisions on their own values and knowledge of the facts.
But it’s NOT OKAY for the laypeople in a diocese or in ECUSA to have knowledge of the facts and make up their own minds based on their own values.
That appears to be anathema.
But I have a feeling that there are plenty of laity in this diocese—and elsewhere—who do not have the same values as some of the leadership in ECUSA. And given the opportunity to have knowledge, they might make different decisions based on their values.
Now, in one instance, they have that opportunity.
[24] Posted by Sarah on 2-9-2007 at 04:32 PM · [top]
Sarah:
Re: It’s as if not only do revisionist leaders have the right to decide how they will run a retreat center and whom to invite to lead . . . but they also have the right for other Episcopalians in that diocese not to know anything about the facts and decide for themselves.
I agree this is a pervasive theme throughout the church and it’s intriguing on several counts:
1. That they think they can pull it off - obviously its a behavior that’s worked in the past so they think it should work now.
2. That they obviously have such a low opinion of laypeople that they don’t realize that they can get information from other sources.
3. That they think it’s necessary to do it - this last point is what I think is the most curious.
If one knows they are doing the right thing, they don’t have to hide it from other people. It is when they KNOW they are wrong, that they have to limit information, variant opinions, and other ideas.
So, not only are they wrong, but they know enough that they are wrong to try to hide it. How interesting is THAT???
[25] Posted by Eclipse on 2-9-2007 at 04:39 PM · [top]
Actually, if you really want to see this attitude in action, challenge a liberal priest on a biblical position.
[26] Posted by JackieB on 2-9-2007 at 04:58 PM · [top]
This is just sick! Unfortunately, I fear it is also more common than we know.
[27] Posted by Spencer on 2-9-2007 at 05:14 PM · [top]
What I don’t think can be emphasized enough is that a few weeks ago, Bishop Jelinik prohibited Archbishop Nzimbi of Kenya from even speaking at an Episcopal church in his diocese, but he has no problem with a registered sex offender who pled guilty to sexual misconduct with an eight-year old leading a prayer retreat.
That’s the whole current dysfunction of the Episcopal Church in a nutshell.
[28] Posted by Jason S on 2-9-2007 at 05:51 PM · [top]
Robert—I just took a look at the Episcopal House of Prayer site, and what I saw was a lot of talk about transformation through Christ WITHOUT ANY MENTION OF PENITENCE, REDEMPTION OR THE CROSS.
I also saw a picture of a circular chapel, WITH NO VISIBLE CROSS.
New Age-y ideas about transformation dressed up with some Christian terms do not make for orthodoxy—or even Christianity.
[29] Posted by In Newark on 2-9-2007 at 06:19 PM · [top]
Thanks Sarah for this information. It is certainly true that such information is truly unpleasant to be involved with. This is why those in authority, who are charged with responsibility to look out for such matters, need to bring out these details so the laity is not compelled to do it for them.
As for making public what was done in private, so long ago, if we truly believe in grace there should not be a problem. After all, apparently many people already know about what happened back in Texas.
I do think that if the laity of MN are as progressive as Robert et al, they will surely not be concerned at all about what this “theologian” has done. Sarah is just giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their “open mindedness”.
Really, Robert, is there anything to hide after all?
[30] Posted by Capn Jack Sparrow on 2-9-2007 at 06:57 PM · [top]
An 8 year old boy? Well, from what I know of crimes of this nature against children is that conviction rates are rather low. An 8-year old does not make an outstanding witness in court for a variety of reasons. A defense lawyer knows this and would use the knowledge advantageously. When someone pleads guilty in such cases it is usually because despite the fact that a prosecutor has an airtight case he does not wish to put the child through the trauma of testifying. He offers a sweet deal to the perpetrator so that the conviction does not require further harm to the young victim. He plead guilty under the advice of his attorney because going to court and being convicted under those circumstances would have cost him MUCH more. That’s how those sorts of things happen!
I don’t care if he is teaching auto mechanics or Chinese cooking or underwater basket weaving….THOSE COMING TO THOSE CLASSES HAVE A RIGHT TO BE INFORMED. CHILDREN MUST BE KEPT SAFE!!! If this man has gone through the process of reformation then he would not fear for the truth to be known. He would be aware of how repugnant his actions had been in the past. He would not be hiding behind some legalistic mumbo-jumbo that says, “I was told to plead this case.” Avoidance of responsibility for past acts leads me to believe there has been no repentance and consequential healing. I wouldn’t want this guy lurking around my neighborhood.
[31] Posted by Manny Publius on 2-9-2007 at 11:01 PM · [top]
Right, Manny. And his credibility is zero if he says he pleaded guilty when he was not guilty. Since he denies the sin in spite of conclusive legal proof to the contrary, we can safely assume there is no repentence.
[32] Posted by Cousin Vinnie on 2-10-2007 at 12:32 PM · [top]
This is a story that no novelist could have invented.
First, a man who pled guilty to molesting an 8-year-old in his care is giving courses at an Episcopal retreat center. His involvement is not casual: he’s teaching 5 courses in 2007.
Second, this man’s past was never a secret to those who hired him: he’s the brother of the director.
Third, the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota has a retreat center that offers, by my count, 5 courses of instruction using the Gnostic heresy in 2007. Even the cooking course has a Gnostic flavor: “The Father’s realm can be compared to a woman who takes a tiny bit of yeast, folds it into dough and makes great loaves out of it. Whoever has ears for this, listen!” Gospel of Thomas, #96.”
So, you’ve got pedophilia, nepotism, and heresy in this story. And no reaction from the Diocese. It is difficult to imagine less-responsible leadership.
I do note that the Diocese of Minnesota website does advertise a <a >“Safe Church Training Event”</a> coming up on March 24th in Plymouth, MN.
[33] Posted by Peter M. Vermigli on 2-14-2007 at 10:10 AM · [top]
Thanks for the comment, Peter. I can only hope that Episcopalians in Minnesota are forwarding this story to all of their friends. It’s truly a “Twilight Zone” story . . .
[34] Posted by Sarah on 2-14-2007 at 11:09 AM · [top]
I hope it is about how to make your parish safe from the diocese.
the snarkster
[35] Posted by the snarkster on 2-14-2007 at 11:18 AM · [top]
Sarah, you are to be commended for researching and publishing this story. While overshadowed by the enormous events happening in Tanzania, this story is important both for itself, and for the fact that it clearly illustrates the moral bankruptcy of much of our church’s leadership. It’s not necessarily morally bankrupt to disagree with the conservative views on ordaining active homosexuals. It is morally bankrupt to take a church salary while promoting heresy and practicing nepotism. It’s morally bankrupt for those who run the Diocese of Minnesota to permit this to go on. And I pass over the (at least) extremely poor judgement shown by a church organization that knowingly hires a convicted child molester. What kind of commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ does this behavior by the Diocese demonstrate? This is the kind of leadership that has brought us into the mess we are in today.
[36] Posted by Peter M. Vermigli on 2-14-2007 at 11:38 AM · [top]
As a former member of a parish in the Diocese and personally aware of the dark side of what they promote in the diocese, I wrote the Bishop J. a couple years ago about the promotion of Eastern meditation and yoga in the diocese. He is basically clueless. It is a interfaith lovefest here. It is amazing that a few years ago they had to raise over $60,000 for a new kitchen for Episcopal House of Prayer so that the could prepare the appropriate food for those that had to accomodate the bodily changes that were happening due to the spiritual “awakenings” that were occuring through yoga and eastern meditation.
[37] Posted by Rev12_11 on 2-18-2007 at 10:54 PM · [top]
Is there an ongoing landlord/tenant relationship between St. John’s Abbey and the “House of Prayer”? From the Episcopal House of Prayer Website:
Given the Roman church’s ongoing problems with sex offenders, the Abbot or the RC diocesan bishop may be quite interested that a child sex offender is being invited onto their property several times a year, even if the Episcopal ordinary seems to care less.
[38] Posted by Mt 5.17 on 12-22-2007 at 11:54 AM · [top]
Sorry! Not New Ulm, but St. Cloud.
[39] Posted by Optimist on 2-12-2008 at 03:21 PM · [top]
Unfortunately, St. John’s Abbey has many monks who are ‘under restrictions’ for their past behavior. I would be highly suspicious, at this point, of any organization such as this “House of Prayer” that is so closely identified with them. For reference, check this site and search under the Minnesota diocese of New Ulm:
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/
[40] Posted by Optimist on 2-12-2008 at 03:21 PM · [top]
Eclipse, we are on the same side of this issue, however, here is my take on the points you raise:
1)Hell, they have gotten away with it. It works.
2)Most Ep. laypeople don’t care, as long as the weddings and funerals look good.
3)They don’t think they are wrong, they just think the masses are too stupid to get to their level of understanding of the intricacies of the situation, therefore it’s just too much trouble to have a big blow up over the situation. Anyway, just my two cents worth.
[41] Posted by Looking for Leaders on 2-12-2008 at 04:08 PM · [top]
Addendum to my post: People like Sarah are not “most people”. Most Ep. laypeople can’t be bothered with this, even as bizarre as it is. The value of SFiF is that 1)it’s a good place to get info, exchange info, ideas, 2)Many of the people here are very intelligent, and very funny, 3)This is the repository of the resistance. One day a long time from now, people will say “What happened?” This will be the treasure trove vault that will show that there was valiant resistance. It will show that this small resistant band inside the US church, along with some likeminded souls from different parts of the world something glorious started (or re-started). It will also be interesting to future generations that many of these like minded souls that hooked up with Africans, S. Americans, etc… were from south of the Mason-Dixon. Many who will have been schooled in the politically correct fashion will be hard pressed to figure that one out.
[42] Posted by Looking for Leaders on 2-12-2008 at 04:26 PM · [top]
I think Sarah is okay to publish this. Registered Sex offenders are required to register in most communities- so that people are aware of the heneous crime that they commited and to keep children- safe.
Lynn Bauman- commited a heneous crime of the worst magnitude. He violated the trust of a child- by touching him. Nothing Lynn could ever do will return the victims loss of his childhood- Nothing.
Lynn can be forgiven, Lynn can serve punishment, Lynn can reenter society. Lynn can be full of wisdom and insight- but he must- for the rest of his life- be identified publicly as one who commited one of the worse and most heaneous crimes possible. Period.
SNAP is right to pursue this and so is Sarah.
(no hell did not freeze over)
[43] Posted by sarahsnemisis on 2-12-2008 at 04:32 PM · [top]
I agree totally with the notion of forgiveness and restoration for all offenders, including this gentlemen, he is no less deserving than I.
That doesn’t mean, however, that he should be a retreat counselor. The very desire to be one, given the history, raises alarm bells, just as Ted Haggard’s reported desire to remain in ordained ministry.
[44] Posted by Going Home on 2-12-2008 at 04:43 PM · [top]
“I think people make mistakes and there are consequences, but I do not think we should tar him in a sexual context”
Of course not. ECUSA revisionists are saving the tar for courageous orthodox bishops like Duncan and Iker. Perish the thought of disciplining a mere convicted pedophile.
[45] Posted by Irenaeus on 2-12-2008 at 05:21 PM · [top]
Sexual misbehavior, promiscuity and perversion, etc., is not a great big deal in TEC or the USA these days. Fetuses, infants and children are not valued so highly either…the month VGR was desecrated, Kansas legislature entertained a bill to lower the age of consent to twelve years old.
Homes aren’t safe ... the TV pours effluent into the children’s minds, teenage girls see Dad gawk at the cheerleaders and remark about their anatomy and never feel safe or holy with their dad again.
At the mall, the behavior of couples, the poses and attire of mannequins are sexually assaulting and this is the place young preteens hang on weekends. My daughter was a speech pathologist who worked in a variety of schools…she can attest to the fact that a child seeing sex acts (mama and her latest boyfriend) are harmed.
Everything that is seen, heard, done or is done to us affects a human spiritually, cognitively/emotionally and physically. We are like computers being programmed and programming others non-stop.
Rob Sanders in his article, ‘Healing of the Soul’ quotes Arnold Come’s ‘Human Spirit, Holy Spirit’: “the soul drinks in realities through sense impressions. From childhood onward these impressions help form the memories, language, insights, habits, hopes, and purposes that come together to establish the soul and its motive power, the heart.
When the realities that enter the soul are positive, beneficent, and strong, and when the heart is directed toward God, the soul can grow “in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Except for Christ, however, no one is rightly directed toward God, and further, we drink in harmful realities that distort, diminish, and impoverish our souls.
Here is Arnold Come:
Each man is in vital organic continuity with that whole in which he comes into being, and so he drinks into his life all to which his avenues of receptivity and sensitivity are open. It is by these realities, which flow and drive into his being, that he is shaped and empowered and filled, or perhaps shattered and destroyed.(2)
In biblical thought, each person’s words and deeds leave imprints that can enter the souls of others. For example, if person A is heard and seen by persons B and C, then B and C receive A’s words and deeds into their souls. When that happens, A is said to be in B and C, becoming an aspect of their souls and forming their very life.(3)
The soul is healed, strengthened, and renewed as Christ comes to live in the soul. This is neither magic, nor mysticism, nor accident. It happens as Jesus’ words and deeds, under the power of the Spirit, enter the soul as the very reality of Jesus himself. It is not magic or accident because one must choose to receive Jesus’ words and deeds and act on them. It is not mysticism because his words and deeds are given in Scripture and received through sense impressions, especially in worship. In worship, word and sacrament, the soul hears, sees, touches, and tastes realities that convey the very life of Christ. Worship is the foundation for Christian healing.”
As the children’s Sunday School song goes, “Be careful little eyes what you see…”
[46] Posted by Theodora on 2-12-2008 at 06:16 PM · [top]
Christoferos,
I you would like to read an avalanche of unintended irony from the oblivious I suggest kibbitzing on the TEC HOBD/ listserve for a while. I’ve never seen the like of the ability of some of the posters there to paint themselves while attempting to smear their opponents….
vu82
[47] Posted by vu82 on 2-12-2008 at 08:44 PM · [top]
Sarah, I now confer on you the office of “Prophet.” When folks like Robert accuse you of stirring up trouble by exposing the evil, you have passed the test! I’ll have headquarters sent you the card and secret decoder ring. Cheers +<(;>)—-+
[48] Posted by PROPHET MICAIAH on 2-12-2008 at 10:43 PM · [top]
In Newark #29:-
The crosses are visible on the home page. Not surprisingly however, they are all upside down. Take a close look at the doors and the windows.
[49] Posted by Tunde on 2-13-2008 at 03:24 AM · [top]
I have known about the TEC HOBD/ listserve for sometime but have never read it or even know how to find it. I googled it but only get links to other blogs that have talked about it. Can someone forvite a link and can anyone read the listserve?
[50] Posted by bob+ on 2-13-2008 at 07:07 AM · [top]
Here’s a linky to get you started. You will not be able to post (unless you are a delegate), but the rhetoric can be eye opening. In all fairness, sometimes it can be rather dull.
Come the Revolution, I’m going to be second up against the wall
[51] Posted by Matthew A (formerly mousestalker) on 2-13-2008 at 07:24 AM · [top]
Hi,
I am a humble lay person from the Diocese of Minnesota and first of this Diocese is dying, it is sinking, save a few parishes, it is in serious trouble. It seems that we can’t attract families with young children. And frankly and deservedly so, this story is not going to help.
From my basic observations, there are some good and decent clergy in the Diocese, but many are just plain weird. I am not engaging in slander, but calling some deviants is simply the correct use of the word. It is rather concerning how many odd-balls in the clergy here. The new age,Gospel of Thomas ,Zen Buddhist stuff here is deep.pervasive. Going to the Cathedral here is creepy, they have a banner there with the symbols of all the worlds religions including Wicca.Just reading the bulletin boards at the Cathedral is dishearting.It is everywhere. I actually looked at pamplets for this classes back a few months ago ,when at another parish that is not mine, and being deeply troubled by the content. It further adds to concern that one of the facilitators of these programs is molester of an eight year old boy. The Catholic facilities in Collegeville are also contaminated with New Age,Eastern Religion.
To show the spiritual rot, I recently got the pamplet of local Parish here, that has no mention of Christ whatso-ever, they talk about being GLBT friendly, and their Organ,their music program, but no Christ. This Diocese is dead, or soon to be dead. The Diocese is utterly irrelevent in many respects. Many lay people have little contact with it, except perhaps for ordinations and confirmations. The Diocese is like a feudal Lord that takes your assesments and in return you get nothing. They are increasingly sucking blood from corpses. God’s judegement is upon the Diocese of Minnesota, they will and are suffering the consequences of telling God to sod off. In the end bringing a boy molester to teach heretical claptrap to a bunch of aging,nut-case, baby boomer women is no suprise. Par for the course for such sterile, morally and spiritually degenerate fools. Last spring Bishop Jelinink had a Shinto Priest from Japan whom he introduced as his teacher and guide at an ordination service.
[52] Posted by Anglo-Catholic-Jihadi on 2-13-2008 at 08:51 AM · [top]
Sounds like more business-as-usual from the weird confluence of the Episcopal left, paganism, and pedophilia.
[53] Posted by Greg Griffith on 2-13-2008 at 09:07 AM · [top]
Sorry there are a few mistakes in my earlier posting, is should say first “off Diocese is dying”.Secondly ” how many oddballs are in the clergy here” and thirdly ” remember being deeply troubled”. Anyways Minnesota could be fresh ground for Church planting for Common Cause Partners, they could Evangelize the Non-Christian immigrants here TEC couldn’t be bothered to Evangelize because TEC are universalist and they could provide a church home for disgruntled Lutherans and Presbyterians and Methodist. As they too are hopping the fast train to hell. Both the Methodist and Episcopal Bishop here are friends and both preside over putrifying corpses of churches, nobody does or should gave a damn about. Anyways this is all par for the course. Bishop Jelinink retires in 2009 and Lord only knows what nightmare follows. Lord willing the money troubles grow and this retreat center has gotta go at some point.
[54] Posted by Anglo-Catholic-Jihadi on 2-13-2008 at 09:28 AM · [top]
Anglo-Catholic-Jihadi, Your report is chilling. If what is going on in MN is happening all over TEC, these things should be documented carefully gathered hard evidence is difficult to refute in a court of law or church. This situation is ugly and will get uglier as the righteous depart.
Hard evidence needs to be put together by those who can tolerate or stomach such work…a Christian friend who works for a state Bureau of Investigation, gathering evidence against pedophiles for state and federal prosecution says it is very very hard to look at the pornography, esp. that involving children.
[55] Posted by Theodora on 2-13-2008 at 09:46 AM · [top]
I should be clear the brochures at the church I was at where for the Baumen courses taught in Collegeville. I wasn’t sure I was clear on that detail.
[56] Posted by Anglo-Catholic-Jihadi on 2-13-2008 at 11:10 AM · [top]
Thanks, Sarah, for tracking the various associations of Dr. Bauman. Once again we find a link between Swing, the United Religions Initiative emphasis on “diversity” and homosexualism. It is good to bring these connections to light.
[57] Posted by Alice Linsley on 2-14-2008 at 11:21 PM · [top]
I know the notorious Catholic Parish of ” Saint Joan of Arc” is in Minnesota. Is it by chance nearby? This Lent is a good time to remember that fasting is not only a sign of penance but can be a weapon of spiritual warfare.
[58] Posted by Paula Loughlin on 2-14-2008 at 11:45 PM · [top]
Being a lay member of the Dio. of Minn., I can say I had no idea such things were going on. I am also a lay delegate. This doesn’t surprise me at all. Minnesota is a great example of what happens when a non-Christian sexual ethic is put in practice. You noted the casual dating of Eastern thought. They really want to go steady though.
Hope is kindled however, because the BCMS has really taken off. It really is an honest look at the state of the diocese and it reflects the need to actually believe something.
What the diocese is really lacking is that mere Christianity that so focuses one’s life on Jesus that the world’s folly is ignored.
Pray for us.
[59] Posted by Saint Dumb Ox on 2-15-2008 at 11:12 AM · [top]
On a further note,
Anglo-Catholic-Jihadi is quite the smart guy. His assessment, while chilling, doesn’t mean there is no hope. After all he is still there and so am I (and many others…even Jesus). I promise I am not a pie-in-the-sky dreamer, but even the dry bones of the Diocese of Minnesota can live.
Now lets get Christians on the bishop nominating committee. I think Anglo-Catholic-Jihadi is a perfect pick to help select the next bishop. (I’d say “just kidding” but I’m not)
[60] Posted by Saint Dumb Ox on 2-15-2008 at 11:24 AM · [top]
Yep! Do you need a nomination form for A-C-Jihadi? The Search Committee for the next Bishop of Minnesota is key, but don’t stop there. There’s the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and Trustees, all needing good folks like you, Saint D O. Nominations for those positions generally are solicited in May.
http://www.anglikin.blogspot.com
[61] Posted by Anglicat on 2-19-2008 at 11:23 AM · [top]
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