Dec. 6, 2007

Bishop James Stanton
Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
1630 N. Garrett Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206.

Dear Bishop Stanton:

A decade ago, you apparently did the right thing and expelled Lynn C. Bauman from the Episcopal ministry, after he was found guilty of child molestation. Now, we need you to do the right thing again and warn unsuspecting parents that Bauman may still be a threat to vulnerable kids.

Any reasonable person would consider Bauman to be potentially dangerous. He admitted abusing one young boy. He’s accused of molesting at least two others. He’s now a convicted, registered sex offender. He’s been formally defrocked as a clergyman. He’s never expressed remorse. He’s claimed that an eight year old was the ‘instigator’ of sexual activity with him. He molested a boy on a retreat. He still leads retreats today, both in Texas and elsewhere.

You might ask “But why should I take action about this matter?” Frankly, it would be easy to rationalize doing nothing. “We kicked him out years ago.” “He’s no longer our responsibility.” “Many of his retreats aren’t even being held in our diocese.” “Our main concern has to be on our current clergymen and church members.” “He may have rehabilitated himself.” All these statements sound reasonable at first glance. But we beg you to consider the potential harm of doing nothing: perhaps one, perhaps several young, innocent, trusting boys or girls may end up devastated by horrific child sex crimes that could have been prevented.

Keep in mind also that Episcopal officials ordained Bauman, welcomed him into ministry, supported him, and benefited, no doubt, from his contacts, prestige, preaching and writing. For years, Episcopalian families entrusted their children to Bauman and let them be around Bauman in large part because of his status as an Episcopalian clergyman.

So we are grateful that you defrocked him. But we believe your duty to safeguard others from him doesn’t and can’t end there.

We fervently beg you to write your colleagues in any state where Bauman has or will function. Warn them about his past. Urge them, in turn, to warn their flocks, through diocesan websites, newspapers, parish bulletins, pulpit announcements, and any other means. Put similar notices and warnings on your own diocesan website and newspaper and parish bulletins.

We especially seek your help with Minnesota church officials, both Episcopalian and Catholic. Several times each year, Bauman leads retreats at an Episcopal facility on the grounds of a Catholic boarding school and abbey there, at which dozens of kids live, study or spend time (both during the school year and the summer). In fact, Bauman is scheduled to facilitate a retreat there just two months from now.

Church officials at both of these facilities have been alerted to Bauman’s crimes. Yet they inexplicably and recklessly insist on letting him return and lead more retreats. These officials have essentially ignored our requests and warnings. If you warn and educate them about Bauman, they might ignore you too. But we believe it is worth a try. We beg you to write and call them about Bauman, and to share any information about allegations and evidence against him that may exist in your personnel files.

Perhaps he’s been ‘cured,’ you might say. But his behavior would suggest otherwise.

Reformed gamblers shun casinos. Reformed alcoholics avoid bars. Such wise behavior is often one clear sign that they’ve undergone treatment and are genuinely trying to prevent relapsing.

Bauman, however, shows no similar sound judgment. Years ago, he led retreats in remote settings He’s doing the same now. Years ago, he continually held himself out as a trustworthy spiritual guide and authority figure. He’s doing the same now.

Many criminals feign remorse, but some do indeed comprehend their wrong-doing and express regret for it, and make reparations to those they have hurt. There are no signs, however, that Bauman has done any of this.

Finally, history, psychology and common sense tell us that pedophiles rarely overcome their compulsive desires. What makes anyone think Bauman has managed to do so?

We’re left with the inescapable conclusion and fear that even now, Bauman is a risk to children, and that more must be done to keep kids away from him and warn parents about him. You have the ability, resources, and, we feel, the moral duty, to do so.

David Clohessy
National Director, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
7234 Arsenal Street
St. Louis MO 63143
314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915

Barbara Blaine
President, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
PO Box 6416
Chicago IL 60680
312 399 4747

Barbara Dorris
Outreach Coordinator, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
6245 Westminster
St. Louis MO 63130
314 862 7688

SNAPnetwork.org