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	Former Student Says Chaplain Molested Him at St. Stephen's in Late 1960s Ex-Student, 57, Said School Officials Discounted His Story Twice By Eileen E. Flynn The American-Statesman [Texas] May 26, 2007 http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/26/26abuse.html One of three St. Stephen's Episcopal School alumni who have accused the school chaplain of molesting them in the 1960s has come forward with details of his alleged abuse and his attempts to alert school officials over the past four decades. Bob Haslanger, now 57 and living in Washington state, said the Rev. James L. Tucker, a popular priest on campus, abused him once or twice a month in his dorm room for four years. Officials at the Episcopal Diocese of Texas confirmed Friday that Haslanger is one of the three former students to claim abuse by Tucker in the 1960s. In a letter this week to alumni, the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly, bishop of the Houston-based diocese, said he believes the allegations have substance. Haslanger said he decided to go public with his story after Wimberly sent the letter to St. Stephen's alumni who attended school during Tucker's decadelong tenure as chaplain, describing the allegations and the diocese's ongoing investigation. "My concern now is for others who were abused," Haslanger said. "It has taken many years for me to incorporate my experience of abuse by Tucker and the school's cover-up into a healthy life. Others may be on that journey and need help." In 1964, Haslanger was 14, a freshman at St. Stephen's Episcopal School in what was then a rural campus west of Austin. Haslanger said Tucker would come into his dorm room after the boys were required to turn off their lights for the night. He said he dreaded going to bed and hearing Tucker's footsteps in the hallway. He said he never told his parents, teachers or friends. Then, in the spring of 1966, Haslanger said he summoned the courage to report the abuse to a school official — who, Haslanger said, accused him of inventing the whole thing. The abuse, Haslanger said, continued until 1968 — the year he graduated and the year Tucker and his family moved out of their house on campus and relocated to Houston. Nearly 40 years later, the diocese is investigating Haslanger's claims, as well as those from two other alleged victims who reported being molested by Tucker in 1968. A detective at the Travis County sheriff's office said he is also investigating the claims, even though the statute of limitations has expired and criminal charges aren't likely. Tucker, 79, who went on to serve as rector of St. James Church in Houston, retired in 1992. He could face a church trial and could lose his ability to act as a priest. He could not be reached for comment, but family members said they don't believe there is evidence of abuse and said they are disappointed church officials have publicized the allegations. "To believe students suffered sexual abuse at our school at any time, even 40 years ago, to hear the depth of pain, I am heartbroken," Wimberly said in a written statement Friday. "It is imperative that the victims be heard and that they receive our apology." Haslanger said he left Texas in 1986 and said the effects of the abuse and the school's reaction to his outcry haunted him. As an adult, he said, he has struggled with depression but didn't seek therapy until the 1990s. Then, in 1993, a letter arrived from St. Stephen's. The school was raising money for a scholarship honoring Tucker and was inviting the priest to return to campus to mentor students. "I could not abide the thought of students being put at risk again," Haslanger said. He said his therapist suggested it might be good for him to confront his past. So Haslanger said he traveled to Austin and met with a school official. Sitting in the office, he said, he couldn't bring himself to say Tucker's name. The official, he said, asked if Jim Tucker had molested him. Haslanger said the memories hit him with such force that he couldn't breathe. The school promised to investigate, he said. A few weeks later, Haslanger said he received another solicitation for the Tucker scholarship. "I told the school I did not wish to receive any more material promoting an endowment dedicated to a child molester," he said. According to a spokeswoman for the diocese, the school receives gifts for financial aid in Tucker's name, but he did not return to campus as a mentor. Haslanger said he became clinically depressed after the 1993 confrontation and took a leave of absence from the manufacturing company where he was chief operating officer and executive vice president. Wimberly's letter said St. Stephen's officials didn't report Haslanger's allegations in 1993, but noted them in Haslanger's file. Haslanger said he didn't hear from St. Stephen's again until this week, when the Rev. Roger Bowen called. According to Haslanger and Wimberly's letter, Bowen, St. Stephen's current head of school, had heard about another person accusing Tucker of abuse at a 2005 alumni gathering, then discovered the 1993 note in Haslanger's file. Following the diocese's current abuse-prevention policy, Bowen notified the diocesan officials. In September 2006, Haslanger said he received a call from an investigator hired by the diocese, and the investigator later traveled to Washington to interview him. In the months that followed, Haslanger said he talked with diocesan officials, who have offered an apology. He said diocese has treated him fairly, and that Bowen was "gracious" with him in the phone call. Haslanger said he has not lost his faith and has reclaimed his life. As for Tucker, Haslanger said, "I bear no malice toward (him). He is accountable to a higher power than I can invoke." Contact: eflynn@statesman.com or 445-3812.
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