May 08, 2005

Allegations shatter image of former church worker

HOUSTON (TX)
Houston Chronicle

By PAIGE HEWITT
Houston Chronicle

Stuart Murphy projected himself as a humble man of independent wealth, a Catholic of standing and influence.

He told co-workers he was among the socially privileged invited to the bishop's Christmas party.

He gossiped about Catholic brass.

And although Murphy, a choir director at Annunciation Catholic Church in downtown Houston and a part-time teacher's assistant at the Cardinal Newman School on the west side, was prone to bouts of self-promotion, those who knew him reasoned, he was, after all, a Ph.D.

That persona was shattered when Murphy was arrested March 30, charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and four counts of indecency with a child. Shock was followed by questions — about his relationship with the church hierarchy, about his education, even about where he called home.

Posted by kshaw at May 8, 2005 05:18 AM