Diocesan Investigation Continues into Long Island Scandal
Episcopal News Service. December 19, 1996 [96-1654]
Jerry Hames, Editor of Episcopal Life
(ENS) An investigation into allegations that Brazilian men were sexually exploited by a group of Long Island clergy will continue for several weeks, according to the president of the standing committee of the Diocese of Long Island.
The Rev. Richard Brewer said December 17 that interviews with those involved in, or with any knowledge of, the alleged events could conclude by the end of January. "But it's difficult to say because as the interviews progress we find there are others we should speak with," he said.
The diocesan investigation follows an article in the December Penthouse magazine describing alleged homosexual orgies in St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York, involving clergy and several Brazilian men. A "wedding" between then-rector Lloyd Andries and one of the Brazilians was also depicted.
The interviews are being conducted by James F. O'Rorke of the New York law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, and Bishop O'Kelley Whitaker, whom Bishop Orris Walker of Long Island has named to participate in the independent investigation.
Brewer said Whitaker, retired bishop of the Diocese of Central New York, will be involved in preparing a report to the standing committee and diocese after the interviews are completed.
Walker, meanwhile, left the diocese in November to begin a rehabilitation program for alcohol abuse. There is no definite word as to when he will return, although he has not delegated his diocesan responsibilities to another bishop.
The consecration of the diocese's new suffragan bishop, the Rev. Canon Rodney Michel, likely will be held in April if the necessary consents are received from diocesan standing committees. Brewer said that despite the difficulties in the diocese, there has been no delay in preparing and mailing information to the standing committees.
Edgar "Kim" Byham, Andries' legal counsel at the inquiry, said another lawyer will file a libel suit against Penthouse on Andries' behalf. Andries said Walker forced him to resign as rector of St. Gabriel's and to renounce his orders after the article, which featured photos of the naked priest with a Brazilian man, were published in the sexually explicit magazine.
In the article, Walker acknowledged hearing rumors about the same-sex blessing but said he did not see a need to investigate.
At a reconciliation service at St. Gabriel's on December 7, parishioners expressed their appreciation for Andries' 17 years of service. "It was recognized that the rector had provided leadership in assisting the parish to grow dramatically in size and commitment as a faith community," according to a report published in the diocesan paper.
Clergy, health-service chaplains, clinicians, social workers and a psychologist have met with parishioners as they talked about how they had been affected by the Brazilians' charges and the subsequent media reports.
Walker appointed the Rev. Blair Martin Hatt, his deputy for diocesan pastoral care, to oversee the parish until an interim pastor is named. Bishop James Ottley, Anglican observer to the United Nations, continues as bishop-in-residence.