Priest Jogging Naked at High School Track
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:56 pm
FREDERICK, Colo. -- A Catholic priest faces an indecent exposure charge after police said he went jogging in the nude about an hour before sunrise.
The Rev. Robert Whipkey told officers he had been running naked at a high school track and didn't think anyone would be around at that time of day, a police report said.
He told officers he sweats profusely if he wears clothing while jogging.
...Whipkey, 53, was arrested June 22 in this small town about 20 miles north of Denver. An officer said he saw a naked man walking down the street at 4:35 a.m.
...The Archdiocese of Denver said it takes the incident seriously but is awaiting the outcome of the case. Whipkey, who also officiates at parishes in the nearby towns of Mead and Erie, remains an active priest.
...It was not clear why the June incident was not reported by the newspaper until this week.
Read the rest here.
UPDATE:
The Archdiocese of Denver says Whipkey is on administrative leave from his three parish assignments for an undetermined period of time.
"Until this matter arose, the Archdiocese had received no complaints of any kind about Father Whipkey's personal conduct for the past eight years. Over eight years ago, while Father Whipkey was pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Sterling, the Archdiocese did respond to concerns of inappropriate personal behavior by Father Whipkey," said the statement from the Archdiocese.
"When the Archdiocese first learned of this matter eight years ago, the Archdiocese promptly brought the issue to the attention of the appropriate local authorities. No charges of any kind were made by the authorities. In addition, the Archdiocese of Denver convened its Conduct Response Team, which traveled to Sterling to investigate the matter and to visit with those who had raised concerns about Father Whipkey."
"Father Whipkey's conduct eight years ago did not involve any physical or sexual contact with another individual. Father Whipkey immediately entered therapy regarding his personal issues and his therapy lasted several years.
Read the rest here.
The track
The Rev. Robert Whipkey told officers he had been running naked at a high school track and didn't think anyone would be around at that time of day, a police report said.
He told officers he sweats profusely if he wears clothing while jogging.
...Whipkey, 53, was arrested June 22 in this small town about 20 miles north of Denver. An officer said he saw a naked man walking down the street at 4:35 a.m.
...The Archdiocese of Denver said it takes the incident seriously but is awaiting the outcome of the case. Whipkey, who also officiates at parishes in the nearby towns of Mead and Erie, remains an active priest.
...It was not clear why the June incident was not reported by the newspaper until this week.
Read the rest here.
UPDATE:
The Archdiocese of Denver says Whipkey is on administrative leave from his three parish assignments for an undetermined period of time.
"Until this matter arose, the Archdiocese had received no complaints of any kind about Father Whipkey's personal conduct for the past eight years. Over eight years ago, while Father Whipkey was pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Sterling, the Archdiocese did respond to concerns of inappropriate personal behavior by Father Whipkey," said the statement from the Archdiocese.
"When the Archdiocese first learned of this matter eight years ago, the Archdiocese promptly brought the issue to the attention of the appropriate local authorities. No charges of any kind were made by the authorities. In addition, the Archdiocese of Denver convened its Conduct Response Team, which traveled to Sterling to investigate the matter and to visit with those who had raised concerns about Father Whipkey."
"Father Whipkey's conduct eight years ago did not involve any physical or sexual contact with another individual. Father Whipkey immediately entered therapy regarding his personal issues and his therapy lasted several years.
Read the rest here.
The track