Cell-ibate Priest
A reader sent me the following story:
BERKELEY, California (AP) -- Trading in his state-issued blue denim for a black robe and white collar, the Rev. James Tramel left prison and arrived at the small Episcopal church where he'll now serve as assistant pastor.
"I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful to be home," Tramel said.
Tramel, 38, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1986 for his role in the stabbing death of a homeless man and was paroled Sunday. He was driven directly to the church after meeting with parole officials.
A trim man with glasses and short hair, Tramel spoke quietly and nervously, and seemed to be holding back tears as he clutched a weathered Bible. When he entered a small dining hall for breakfast, many congregants yelled, clapped and shouted their greetings.
"I really want to get in and see everyone that's been supportive of me," he said with his arm wrapped around his fiancee, the Rev. Stephanie Green, also an Episcopal priest.
Tramel is believed to be the only Episcopal priest ordained while in prison. He earned a master's degree in theological studies from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley in 1998.
Known as 
While I have no doubt that God affects drastic change for the better in the most sinful of us, I wonder about the prudence of putting one's shingle out so soon as a professional man of God.
Why, it's Batman and Robin !
I'd like to think this is a parody but sadly I had heard the story. The picture is priceless. 1000 words. Says it all.
Will we be reading these types of articles when the sex abusers (Catholic priests) get out of jail?
[Shudder]
I'm with Laura on this one -- a more suitable place might be some quiet monastary in the middle of nowhere where he can spend some time prayerfully tending vegetables and other crops.
Bender, that's exactly where I want to take my family sometimes to escape the madness...
Conversion is a good thing ... but has anyone witnessed the fruits of this conversion .... has it been tested .... personally, it reminds me of the Mayor Barry (Wash.DC) stories of "conversion" and back to the Mayor's office routine .... I always wonder where the individual's humility is hiding ... I have always felt that there would be some "shame" to take such a position of such responsibility when other worthier candiates might be called to fill the post .... it is a little strange to me .... does it seem a bit uncharitable to put someone so newly converted into a stress filled & demanding position?
I pray the couple will have a good life ....
He entered prison at age 18--basically fresh out of high school.
Now he's "graduating" into life outside of prison, graduating into ministry and graduating into marriage.
Big adjustments there!
I fear most for his marriage.
The photo says it all. I'm glad this guys not been ordained a Catholic priest.
I had heard that the Episcopalians would ordain just about anyone......and now we see that it is true.
If he really is a changed man then I'm glad for him but to step right out of prison into the pulpit seems as if he is moving too quickly.
Why does this photo make me think of that painting "American Gothic" ??!!!????
...
my question is, why are they letting him out? he's a murderer. Yes, God changes hearts, but... he killed someone. That's not to be taken lightly.
I'm not overly fond of the idea myself, but some of the Church's greatest Saint's have been murderers before their conversion. Just a thought.
God Bless.
With the exception of the nearby female clergy, I sincerely hope his conversion is true.
It is a tribute to the power of God and His merciful grace that He can bring someone from the lowest depths of hell to the summit of heaven. With God, all things are possible. Pray for the man, that his conversion is sincere.
It is worse for a man of God to turn to sin, then for a sinner to become a man of God.
Anybody who's done 20 years in a prison is either very close to God, or very far away.
I wish him every success and happiness, but a more sheltered first assignment might have been more prudent. Still, the congregation knows his story, and are presumably prepared. I can't imagine that he'll be a danger to anyone, certainly.
"I always wonder where the individual's humility is hiding ... I have always felt that there would be some 'shame' to take such a position of such responsibility when other worthier candiates might be called to fill the post."
Great post - I couldn't agree more. Even with my own wretched sins (not enough to put me in prison), now absolved, most of what I feel is humility and gratefulness that God loves me. I am perfectly happy to hide in a corner in gratitude (though I do, of course, whatever work God calls me to do).
You just can't make this stuff up.
Rev. Stephanie Green, priest?
Wouldn't her correct title be "priestess?"
waiter - waitress
steward - stewardress
lion - lioness
fraud, fraudess?
TbaaOT comment6 ,
TbaaOT comment6 ,