By Cynthia Daniels, Jennifer Brett
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 20, 2007
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2007/04/19/0420metinnocents.html
There were Sundays when the Rev. David A. Galloway needed no notes to deliver his sermon at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church. Instead, former congregants recall, his command of the Bible would flow easily into an extemporaneous message.
"He was a real scholar," said Jack Adams, a member since 1958.
What congregants may not have not known is that Galloway, the head of one of Atlanta's oldest Episcopal churches, misused more than $100,000 of parish funds, according to the church.
 |
| Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church found that the Rev. David A. Galloway misused parish funds. |
His preaching career may be over, but the church does not plan legal action.
The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta found that Galloway, 52, abused funds that were part of his discretionary account at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Sandy Springs, said the Rev. J. Neil Alexander, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.
An internal church investigation found "some legitimate expenses and others that were highly questionable," Alexander said. "Through normal processes of the church, we have addressed that on all levels and taken actions.
"The parish is moving on with its life in ministry, the priest is moving on with his life," Alexander said.
"As far as the Diocese of Atlanta is concerned, the matter is closed."
Alexander declined to comment further, citing a confidentiality agreement between the church and Galloway.
Efforts to reach Galloway, who had served the church since 2002 and lives in Sandy Springs, were unsuccessful Thursday evening.
Alexander said the church plans no legal action against Galloway. Instead, he said, the Diocese sought an "ecclesiastical remedy."
"They inhibited him, which means he can't be a priest in any parish in the U.S., period," said Adams. "That's a pretty big blow."
Through a spokesman, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said he was unaware of the particulars of the matter.
Generally speaking, Howard said, "as long as there is probable cause, the district attorney has the authority to initiate an investigation into alleged or suspected wrongdoing."
In addition to the 2,500-member church, Holy Innocents' is home to the fifth-largest private school in Atlanta, Holy Innocents' Episcopal School. The 46-acre site includes a new middle school, a fine arts building and an athletics complex for the school's 1,390 students.
In February, after questions arose about the use of his account, Episcopal officials removed Galloway from his duties and began an internal audit looking at his fiscal transactions over a five-year period.
The pastor's discretionary fund, a part of the church's budget, is designed to provide money that a priest can use for people in need. Often, it's supplemented by parishioners' donations.
The news, released to the media on Thursday, has left many in the flock stunned, angry — and wanting answers.
During a meeting last week at which church officials discussed the audit with members, many had to be turned away because the meeting site was filled to capacity, Adams said.
Carmen Noel has been a member for 29 years.
"I would never in a million years think he would've done anything dishonest," she said. "I was floored when I found out. And the amount—[at first] we heard $82,000, and then it kept going and going.
"And then, what got me was the fact he couldn't account for it— he just said 'I don't know what happened to it'— that was not good enough."
Bill Grove is about as dedicated as a church member can be. He's been showing up faithfully at Holy Innocents' for about 50 years. The situation at his longtime church has left him disappointed.
"If I did this kind of thing in the corporate world, I would be turned over to the legal system," Grove said.
Church member Carolyn Yost, who remembers Galloway preaching without notes, says the matter won't drive her from the church.
"It's a wonderful place to worship," she said.
"They're not going to lose me. It was a sad day when this happened, but they will be strong enough to overcome this."
She's proud of the church's mission work in Haiti and programs like the youth ministry and vacation Bible school.
"There's activities for everyone," she said. "Everything looks very positive."
Contact: cdaniels@ajc.com, jbrett@ajc.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.