By Joan D. Warren
EastBayRI
August 21, 2007
http://www.eastbayri.com/story/289644161488539.php
Barrington - A man who served as interim pastor at St. John's Episcopal Church in Barrington recently admitted to sexually abusing four adolescent boys while serving as rector of a church in New York. J. Edward Putnam, 66, has been suspended from all ministerial and pastorly duties for the next 20 years, according to Retired Rev. Gladstone B. Adams, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. Mr. Putnam reportedly abused the boys between 1985 and 1993.
Local officials said there are no indications that Mr. Putnam acted inappropriately while serving in Barrington at St. John's. Mr. Putnam served at St. John's in 2000 and left in Oct. 2001. Rev. C. Neal Goldsborough was appointed rector in early November of that year, replacing Mr. Putnam who served as interim for about a year.
Rev. Goldsborough said he and the members of the parish are saddened by the actions of the former pastor.
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| J. Edward Putnam |
"We at St. John's are shocked, angered and saddened that the wonderful priest and pastor we knew could have done such terrible things. We also pray for the healing, forgiveness and reconciliation for everyone who has been hurt by his actions," Rev. Goldsborough said.
The Central New York diocese began an investigation after receiving a complaint from a man in May and immediately prohibited Mr. Putnam from acting as a priest while the investigation continued.
In July, Mr. Putnam signed a document that outlines the accusations and admits he engaged in "inappropriate conduct with minors" while at St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles, New York.
"Ed Putnam is a man whom the Church entrusted with the care of its youth and to whom the Church granted authority as a priest to lead its faith community. Through his actions he has abused and betrayed that trust and he has harmed those entrusted to his care. His behavior is reprehensible and is not tolerated in this Church," Rev. Adams wrote in a statement.
The district of attorney in Onondaga County has said that Mr. Putnam can not be charged criminally since the statute of limitations had run out.
The former priest is married with three children.
Contact: jwarren@eastbaynewspapers.com
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