St. Paul's ex-rector cleared of charges

Bollinger had been accused of financial misconduct at parish

By William Moyer
Press & Sun-Bulletin

OWEGO -- The former rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Owego was cleared Tuesday by an ecclesiastical court of all charges related to alleged financial misconduct at the parish.

The Rev. David G. Bollinger, of the Town of Owego, was cleared Tuesday at a church trial in Syracuse. The court based its decision largely on the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York's refusal to furnish Bollinger with copies of the evidence that claimed he misused money and broke ordination vows.

Bollinger, 52, who took a sabbatical from St. Paul's in early 2005 and retired a year later, said he was "elated" by the church court's ruling. By church law, Bollinger is permitted to resume priestly duties, which he had been "inhibited" from doing for the past two years.

"It's been my contention that all accusations against me were false. I've been exonerated," said Bollinger, who had been St. Paul's rector for two decades. "I have no regrets about blowing the whistle on a pedophile."

Bishop Gladstone B. Adams issued a statement Tuesday that read: "It is unfortunate that the facts regarding the charges were unable to be heard in an open court. My concerns and prayers remain with the members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church."

The case had roots in Bollinger's accusations of sexual misconduct by a former St. Paul's rector against a parishioner in the 1970s. In May 2006, the former rector, Ralph E. Johnson, then 79, voluntarily renounced his ministerial orders without admitting guilt after the alleged victim filed an affidavit with the diocese. Years earlier, though, Bollinger said he alerted diocesan officials in Syracuse of Johnson's alleged misconduct, but Adams rebuffed him.

In a lawsuit filed in a state court in January 2006, Bollinger had sought $4.35 million from the diocese, which he accused of retaliation by alleging financial misconduct at St. Paul's.

A judge has dismissed several complaints, reducing the claim to $1.25 million, Bollinger said Tuesday.

According to the church court ruling, evidence that the diocese refused to give Bollinger included an independent report that might have shown a diocesan official hacked into Bollinger's bank account.

Bollinger said he wants time to pray before deciding whether he will return to an Episcopal parish.