JACKSONVILLE (FL)
Spero News
Monday, July 25, 2005
by Tita Parham
The Rev. Eric Young was suspended from his duties as pastor of Fort Caroline United Methodist Church in Jacksonville in response to allegations that he used a computer at the church to access web sites featuring child pornography.
Those allegations led to a two-week police investigation and Young's arrest July 8 on a state felony charge of possessing child pornography.
The Rev. Rick Neal, Young's superintendent, filed a formal complaint against Young with Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker July 11.
"I have a responsibility to care for children. I have a responsibility to the church and pastor," Neal said. "In that list, children come first, and after taking into consideration many factors, I felt a formal complaint and request for suspension was warranted."