EULESS (TX)
The Dallas Morning News
05:48 PM CST on Tuesday, December 6, 2005
By DEBRA DENNIS / The Dallas Morning News
The senior pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Euless was suspended Tuesday for 90 days following allegations he fondled a man.
The Rev. James Leonard Finley, 68, was suspended by Bishop Ben R. Chamness, who oversees more than 300 churches as part of the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Mr. Finley was relieved of all pastoral duties, said Carolyn Stephens, a spokeswoman for the conference.
The 1,400-member church will be headed by Charles McClure, a retired minister, Ms. Stephens said.
Mr. Finley was arrested last week and charged with public lewdness, a misdemeanor. He is accused of fondling a 21-year-old man at his home.