The Episcopal Church of the United States has for many years made it mandatory that all clergy (and any church staff) that have contact with minors be trained in Sexual Misconduct and give proof of that training before they are eligible for any posts within the Episcopal Church. Providing leadership in this area has caused many other denominations to do the same.

We, here at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Charleston, stand strongly behind all efforts directed toward protection of the sanctity of childhood, and do everything within our power to insure the safe and secure treatment of all children who come to us with their families. For this reason all of our staff who are in contact with children must be trained through the diocesan program that provides for such training. Are hearts are broken when boundaries of this kind are violated by anyone, not only clergy, and we pray fervently for the healing of the resulting wounds that affect all of us - children and adults - when these boundaries are crossed.

In all things we believe that God can heal the wounds of those who have been damaged by the sexual misconduct of others, and we pray especially for all children who have suffered from such misconduct. The embrace of the Almighty God is ever present with the children of this world, and we wish it to be especially present with those who suffer from any kind of sexual misconduct at the hands of adults.

At the same time we of St. Stephen's are deeply saddened by these allegations regarding our former Rector, and hold him and his family in prayer.

--The Rev. Dr. David A. Williams is rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC

END
Updated News...

POLICE SAY MAN FELL FOR INTERNET CHILD SEX STING

Staff and wire reports
Feb. 20, 2006

FAIRBORN, Ohio - A retired Episcopal priest with ties to Charleston has been arrested and accused of trying to meet a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex, authorities said Friday.

Jim V. Bills, 68, of Urbana, Ohio, was charged with importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Bills is free on bond pending an appearance Tuesday in Fairborn (Ohio) Municipal Court.

Bills had served as rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Anson Street in downtown Charleston beginning in 1998. He retired recently.

The Rev. Kendall Harmon, a spokesman for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, declined to comment. Harmon said he was aware of the allegations.

According to the recent charges, Bills made contact in an Internet chat room with a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Bills is accused off arranging to meet the girl for sex, and was arrested Thursday when he came to the meeting spot in this Dayton suburb, Fairborn police Sgt. Mark Stannard said.

Reached at his home Friday, Bills declined to comment.

--Staff reporter Noah Haglund contributed to this report.

PASTOR PLEADS NO CONTEST IN ONLINE SEX ARREST

WHIOTV.COM

February 22, 2006

GREENE COUNTY, Ohio -- A pastor arrested for allegedly trying to meet an underage girl online for sex pleaded no contest in court on Wednesday morning.

Roy Burton was arrested last year for importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Prosecutors said Burton traveled from northern Ohio to Greene County to meet a 15-year-old girl who turned out to be an undercover police detective.

Burton entered his plea to avoid a trial. He will be sentenced at a later date.