wfn.org | Jury selection begins for Bailey

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3323 notes).

Note 3315 by UMNS on Dec. 4, 1996 at 16:47 Eastern (2415 characters).

SEARCH: Bailey, Fort Worth, trial, United Methodist
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                          603(10-21-71B){3315}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              Dec. 3, 1996

Jury selection begins in civil trial 
of former United Methodist clergyman

                 by United Methodist News Service
     
     Jury selection in the civil trial of former United Methodist
clergyman Barry Bailey began Dec. 2 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Attorneys in the case anticipate the proceedings will last
approximately three weeks.
     Bailey, 69, former senior pastor at First United Methodist
Church, the third largest congregation in the denomination, is
being sued by eight women and the husband of one for sexual
misconduct. 
     The $14 million suit accuses the ex-clergyman of "sexual
predatory conduct," which includes fondling, offensive language
and telephone calls, lewd behavior, and the seduction of some
women in his church office.
     Bailey retired after 18 years as pastor of First Church in
August 1994 after charges were brought against him.  He complied
with a request from the Central Texas Conference of the United
Methodist Church and surrendered his clergy credentials on March
31, 1995, rather than face a church trial. He has consistently
denied any wrongdoing. 
     If the current trial is not concluded by the Christmas
holidays, a recess is expected until Jan. 2. 
     The results of this civil trial can play a role in how two
other cases are pursued.
     In addition to suing Bailey, the women also are seeking
damages from First United Methodist Church, the Central Texas
Conference, and the church's Fort Worth West District. Another
suit names the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist
Church for damages. The women bringing the charges contend that
the church hierarchy was negligent ignoring complaints about
Bailey and that church officials breached agreements designed to
settle some of the claims. 
     Since the allegations against Bailey came to light in 1994,
approximately 27 women have filed written complaints with the
Central Texas Conference, and have alleged three decades of sexual
misconduct by Bailey. 
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