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Monday, March 18, 2013

Religion Youth Pastor Watch

Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Mar 18, 2013 at 7:43 AM

MINNESOTA: "A former St. Joseph-area youth minister has pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal sexual conduct. Matthew David Feeney, 44, pleaded guilty in Washington County last week to second-degree and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, the Washington County prosecutor’s office confirmed. Feeney had entered not-guilty pleas Oct. 18 on the same charges. The prosecutor’s office offered no further comment, and Feeney’s attorney could not be reached. Feeney was accused of sexually assaulting two brothers, who were 9 and 14 years old when the assaults started, according to court documents."

TENNESSEE: A Madison County grand jury has indicted a Jackson church youth pastor on a theft charge. According to The Jackson Sun, Jason Lee Ray is charged with embezzling more than $60,000 from the First Assembly of God in Jackson. The specific amount was not disclosed. Ray was also the secretary-treasurer of the church. Court documents show the money was siphoned from church accounts between May 2011 and December 2012.

INDIANA: A South Bend youth minister was charged with sexual misconduct for allegedly touching himself in the presence of a 14-year-old between March 9, 2008 and April 8, 2010. The victim witnessed Sweeney masturbating under a blanket or cover while looking at a computer, according to court documents. Sweeney admitted to walking around his home naked. He also said he is addicted to pornography and has been for approximately 20 years.... Sweeney serves as the youth minister at the Christ the King Catholic Church. An internet search showed, Sweeney has been a youth minister for more than 11 years, and has worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Denver, Colorado.

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http://www.king5.com/news/cities/olympia…

Guy blacks out for several days, cops break into his house, find child porn and the charges are dropped due to the SPD not having a search warrant. Guy even works with children. But because he's not a religious fundamental, he gets a free pass, yes?

Posted by Kinison

on March 18, 2013 at 7:53 AM

Is walking around your home naked a sign of perversion?!

Posted by fletc3her on March 18, 2013 at 8:00 AM

He doesn't get a pass. But he does fall outside the purview of "Youth Pastor Watch." You are welcome to start a "Passed Out Asshole Watch."

Posted by Dan Savage on March 18, 2013 at 8:01 AM

From these posts I get the sense that all child molesters who go into religion are either skinny nerds, or have heads that look like fat thumbs.

@1: You are missing the point entirely.

Posted by Theodore Gorath on March 18, 2013 at 8:01 AM

@4 - Yoiu got a problrm with fAt thunmbs ?

Posted by MacCrocodile

on March 18, 2013 at 8:11 AM

@5: The fingers you have used to dial are too fat.

To obtain a special dialing wand, please mash the keyboard with your palm now.

Posted by Theodore Gorath on March 18, 2013 at 8:15 AM

@4. What is the point? It seems like retribution against non-stop attacks by the church on gays, except one side is using a horrific tragedy (child rape or molestation) to either push back or further an agenda.

Posted by Kinison

on March 18, 2013 at 9:06 AM

@7: The point is that for a very long time there has been a sentiment of "gay male = pedophile." This is the truthful counterpoint.

The posts, whether or not you think they are correct or valid, is to show that often times those who victimize children are those we are supposed to trust our children with the most, and that being religious or a moral authority does not make you trustworthy or right.

It is not that hard, do try and keep up.

Posted by Theodore Gorath on March 18, 2013 at 9:25 AM

When are the people who screen youth pastors, scout masters, or anyone who works with kids going to recognize that having moved around the country a lot is a red flag? It is not in itself proof of any wrongdoing, but it screams to be checked out. Or is any screening happening at all?

Posted by kwodell on March 18, 2013 at 10:10 AM

Feeney sexually assaulted a 14 year old male but don't dare call him homosexual.

Posted by Danny's head would explode on March 18, 2013 at 10:17 AM

3

Danny doesn't care about abused kids unless it advances his anti-religion bigotry.

Posted by sorry. you're on your own, squirt on March 18, 2013 at 10:19 AM

Sweeny's orientation is unknown from the post,
so today's crop of perverts is either 50% or 100% homosexual.

That seems about right......

Posted by butt, wait! they did this study in Denver!!! on March 18, 2013 at 10:21 AM

8

what percentage of gay males do molest underage boys?

what percentage of youth pastors?

this is not a 'counterpoint'.

there is no context.

it is Danny vomiting up his bigotry.

and Slog eagerly lapping it up.

Posted by pass the tobasco sauce, sport..... on March 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM

That Mr. Feeney is in for quite a wig-snatching.

Posted by gloomy gus on March 18, 2013 at 10:30 AM

@13 - There are 2 a's in Tabasco ya maroon.

Posted by sperifera on March 18, 2013 at 10:37 AM

Obviously the Youth Pastor Watch has a political angle, but I would think the fact that Dan links to stories about male pastors who molest boys would dispel the notion that he is only posting articles to further his agenda and ignoring articles that don't.

What articles is he ignoring exactly? I guess all the articles about youth pastors being really great and not molesting children?

Posted by fletc3her on March 18, 2013 at 10:51 AM

16

interestring point.

youth pastors and priests abuse teenage boys.

real world says 'damn homosexuals corrupt every institution they infest...'

danny says 'damn no good religion...'

Posted by High Priests of Gommorah on March 18, 2013 at 11:08 AM

and if you are keeping count 46% of the youth pastors danny posts are homosexual.

Posted by vs. 2% of the general population on March 18, 2013 at 11:10 AM

15

thank you.

it didn't look right but we were too lazy to look it up.

Posted by spell chucker on March 18, 2013 at 11:11 AM

Now look what you've done. You've got the troll all worked up. He's probably at his computer, masturbating under a blanket. (which is so disrespectful to his mother. He could at least learn to do his own laundry)

Posted by Catalina Vel-DuRay

on March 18, 2013 at 12:18 PM

damn

they barely fit in the screen shot anymore.

Posted by we need another blanket..... on March 18, 2013 at 12:29 PM

That dude is 44? I'm 5 years older, and he makes me look 30.

Posted by Max Solomon on March 18, 2013 at 12:35 PM

Pardon me for not being righteously horrified, but since when is walking around at home naked and masturbating under covers a perversion? I think that's profoundly normal. What was the kid doing at this man's home when he caught him masturbating? What parent hasn't worried about getting walked in on by their kids? Somehow, I think this story lacks for the hard facts to make a judgment.

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Posted by Christian87 on March 28, 2013 at 5:29 AM