Former Bethlehem Staff Member Found Guilty
Episcopal News Service. September 4, 2002 [2002-201-3]
A seven-member Ecclesiastical Trial Court of the Diocese of Bethlehem announced August 22 that the Rev. Dane C. Bragg, who served on diocesan staff as missioner for youth and social ministries from January 1999 to October 2001, was guilty of four charges of immorality and 21 charges of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy.
Charges of alleged inappropriate conversations, emotional attachment, and actions (not including sexual contact) on the part of Bragg with young people in his pastoral care were listed in a presentment returned in late February 2002 by unanimous vote of the diocesan standing committee.
The court has still to hand down a sentence.
'Attorneys of considerable experience and reputation determined that the complaints did not come under any criminal statute,' said the Rev. Bill Lewellis, diocesan communication minister. 'Additionally, the complainants were referred to separate psychotherapists to be sure they did not need to be subjected to the legal system. The psychotherapists, mandated reporters, did not believe any of the events were reportable offenses.'
Advised that the complaints did not amount to a criminal offense, Bishop Paul Marshall determined that they would, if true, constitute grounds for charges according to church canons. After consulting with the diocesan chancellor, the archdeacon and the president of the standing committee, Marshall terminated Bragg as a member of diocesan staff on the basis of his admissions in the presence of a witness. Bragg was given a termination package that included salary until the end of 2001 as well as health insurance and help with his mortgage to June 2002. Marshall also suspended Bragg from exercising priestly ministry and representing himself as a priest.