A 51-year old vicar has been suspended by the Bishop of Long Island following his arrest for possession of narcotics and child pornography.
A 51-year old vicar has been suspended by the Bishop of Long Island following his arrest for possession of narcotics and child pornography. On 3 Feb 2017 Nassau County detectives arrested the Rev. Christopher King, (pictured) vicar of St James of Jerusalem by the Sea in Long Beach, New York. He was charged with five counts of possessing materials depicting sexual abuse of boys under the age of 12 and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police stated the pornographic materials were found on the priest’s computer, while a search of his home unearthed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Following his arrest the Bishop of Long Island, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Provenzano issued a statement saying: “The diocese and the entire Episcopal Church have a zero tolerance policy with respect to criminal conduct of any kind including the allegations made against Father King. As a result of these allegations, I have today terminated Father King’s license to function as an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Long Island.” On Sunday the bishop met with members of the congregation to break the news of their vicar’s dismissal. Bail for Fr. King was set at $100,000 bond, or $50,000 cash. Ordained deacon in 1999 and priest in 2000 for the Diocese of El Camino Real, Fr. King remains a priest canonically resident in the California diocese. He was appointed priest in charge of the ocean side parish in 2008. The case continues.
