Watchdog Group Pleas For Pornographer's Removal From ECUSA Parish
A watchdog group claims to have imagery proving an individual living at the NYC parish is producing porn on site.
Anglican Watch, a volunteer, nonprofit that bills itself as "the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church of the United States, is calling upon St. Thomas Episcopal parish on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, to remove what it terms is a "well-known pornographer from the church campus," according to a press release.
Anglican Watch did not identify the person other than stating that he is believed to live on the campus of the historic church with his same-sex "husband in close proximity to children at the St. Thomas Choir School." The school has long been famed for its choirboys and choral concerts. “Although we support the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the church, and are ardent supporters of the First Amendment, we believe that free speech requires responsible behavior,” Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti said.
“Having an individual who produces religious-themed pornography living in the same building as boarding school students is both foolish and inappropriate,” Bonetti continues. “That is especially the case when, as here, adults at the church have a documented history of violating boundaries, including with children. We are providing suitably redacted screen captures of this individual’s work on our website so that the public — and parents of St. Thomas Choir School students — can decide for themselves if this person should live on the St. Thomas campus,” Bonetti adds.
Anglican Watch and others have filed formal complaints with the Episcopal Diocese of New York after church officials and the Diocese retaliated against individuals who have complained about sexual assault and harassment at the church, according to the group's statement. “Adult men should not have to physically defend themselves against sexual assault and battery in order to attend church,” Bonetti concluded
And while St. Thomas’ cites security concerns (including claims that the individuals involved filed false complaints of sexual misconduct) as the basis for its retaliation, according to the release, Anglican Watch has identified two convicted felons working at the church. In both cases, the situation allegedly involved children, the group stated.