The music director at a New Jersey church was terminated February 21 over credible allegations of child abuse while he served in a Pennsylvania church. The allegations against Thomas Whittemore stem from his time as an employee of served as the director of music at St. Peter’s Church, Pine St., Philadelphia, 1984-2004. He had previously worked at All Saints, Wynnewood. Both parishes are in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.
The allegations were first made to the Diocese of Pennslyvania which informed the Diocese of New Jersey. Whittemore was placed on administrative leave in September 2021 by Trinity Church, Princeton. An on-going investigation concluded the allegations were credible and Whittemore was terminated from his position at Trinity.
The bishop of Pennsylvania and New Jersey issued letters last week that invited others with allegations to come forward and inform the dioceses or law enforcement. Those letters are posted below:
Bishop’s Letter to the Diocese of Pennsylvania: Protecting our children
By The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez
Friday, February 25th, 2022
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
My Siblings in Christ,
It grieves me to tell you that several months ago, we were contacted by someone who reported that he had been sexually abused as a child by Mr. Thomas Whittemore during the time Mr. Whittemore served as the director of music at St. Peter’s Church, Pine St., Philadelphia. Mr. Whittemore was employed by St. Peter’s from 1984 to 2004 and employed from 1980 to 1983 at All Saints, Wynnewood. At the time we received the report, Mr. Whittemore was employed by a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.
We immediately reported the allegations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities; shared the report with Bishop William Stokes of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey; and offered ongoing pastoral support to the courageous person who had come forward to disclose the alleged abuse. Mr. Whittemore was immediately suspended by the New Jersey parish.
Together, Bishop Stokes and I agreed to commission an independent investigation of the allegations, free of involvement from any parish or person who might have an interest in the outcome. This independent investigation is being overseen by our dioceses and conducted by Michael J. Rinaldi of Duane Morris LLP. In addition, both dioceses and the independent investigator are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities, and I have directed the parishes in our diocese where Mr. Whittemore worked to do the same.
Although the independent investigation is not yet complete, it has recently concluded that the allegations we received against Mr. Whittemore are credible based on compelling evidence. As a result, he was terminated from his position in New Jersey earlier this week.
At this stage of the ongoing investigation, I ask anyone who has any information about allegations against Mr. Whittemore, or who wishes to speak about any related situations, to email reporting@diopa.org or call 215-627-6434 ext. 109. All conversations will be kept confidential. You will be connected with one of several people in our diocese trained to respond appropriately and pastorally to allegations of abuse, and who share my commitment to treating anyone who calls as a beloved child of God, deserving of respect, confidentiality, comfort and care.
I also encourage anyone who has an allegation of child abuse of any kind to make a report to Pennsylvania law enforcement authorities using ChildLine: 1-800-932-0313. I have also asked the parishes involved in this situation to direct anyone who reaches out to them to our diocesan phone/email (above) to ensure the ongoing independence of the investigation.
Our decision to conduct this investigation at the diocesan level, in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, reflects the serious nature of the allegations, the importance of independence in investigations of this sort, our shared and absolute commitment to ensuring that every corner of our church offers a safe space for all children and youth, and our commitment to investigate all claims, whether they be made about clergy, lay employees or volunteers. As part of this commitment, we handle credible allegations of abuse with transparency and pastoral sensitivity, loving one another as Christ loves each of us. Our faith also calls us to account for and learn from our past — and we will.
Even at the most difficult times in our common life, Jesus lights the way toward justice and wholeness. As your bishop, I pledge to continue working closely with law enforcement authorities and the independent investigator, taking all necessary steps to preserve the independence and integrity of the investigation. By doing so, I hope to gain a greater understanding of this matter and understand how it may help us strengthen our already extensive safe church practices and improve how we manage and respond to any future complaints of abuse.
Jesus is clear in scripture about those who harm a child, and we will follow him by doing everything possible to protect our children. I cannot emphasize enough that this type of evil will not be tolerated.
I will communicate with you again when there is more news to share. Until then, I ask that you join me in prayer for all children who have ever been abused or harmed by those in authority, as well as those who suffered this abuse and are now living with the resulting trauma.
The Rt. Reverend Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez
XVI Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Bishop’s Letter to the Diocese of New Jersey: “Sad and Disturbing News”
February 25, 2022
Dear People of the Diocese of New Jersey,
I am writing to inform you of sad and disturbing news. In early September of 2021, I was contacted by a person who had also contacted the Bishop’s Office of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, with a complaint against Tom Whittemore, at the time, Music Director at Trinity Church, Princeton. The complainant alleged multiple instances of child sexual abuse against himself by Mr. Whittemore when Mr. Whittemore had served congregations in the Diocese of Pennsylvania in the 1980s and 90s. The allegations were serious and credible. I notified the leadership of Trinity Church, Princeton, and they immediately placed Mr. Whittemore on administrative leave pending further investigation.
Subsequently, the Bishop of Pennsylvania and I, in consultation with our Chancellors, the leadership of the parish in Pennsylvania where the alleged incidents occurred, and the leadership of Trinity Church, Princeton, agreed to retain qualified, independent persons to investigate the matter further. Michael J. Rinaldi, Esq. of Duane Morris has been investigating this matter on behalf of the two dioceses. The allegations were also reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Based upon his investigation, Mr. Rinaldi concluded that certain of the allegations made against Mr. Whittemore were credible based upon compelling evidence. Having been on administrative leave since September 2021, Mr. Whittemore was terminated for cause from his position at Trinity Church on February 21, 2022.
With the complete support of the leadership of Trinity Church, Princeton, Mr. Rinaldi’s investigation is ongoing and has been expanded to include a determination of whether Mr. Whittemore engaged in any acts of sexual abuse, inappropriate behavior, or boundary violations while he was Music Director of Trinity Church. The leadership of Trinity Church, Princeton and the Diocese of New Jersey are committed to a fair, thorough and transparent investigation.
I am writing not only to inform you of this heartbreaking matter, but also to urge anyone who has information about sexual abuse or other misdeeds involving Mr. Whittemore, to contact Trinity Church via email using the email address confidential@trinityprinceton.org, which is an address only to be used for matters related to this investigation. You may also leave a telephone message at (609) 216-7680. This extension is solely dedicated to the investigation and the Rector is the only person able to access these messages.
If you wish to speak about any related situation involving Mr. Whittemore you may contact the Rector of Trinity Church, Princeton, the Reverend Paul Jeans III at: jeanesp@trinityprinceton.org. You may also contact the Reverend Joanne Epply-Schmidt at epplyschmidtj@trinityprinceton.org or the Reverend Canon Dr. Kara Slade at sladek@trinityprinceton.org.
If you require pastoral care or have been impacted by another instance of sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct that is not related to Trinity Church or this complaint against Mr. Whittemore, I urge you to contact our Pastoral Response Officer, Deacon Carol Pepe by email at pastoralresponse@dioceseofnj.org. If you are aware of any instance of child sexual abuse in our diocese or in our state, I urge you to immediately notify legal authorities by calling 1-877-NJ-ABUSE.
Please be assured that the safety, security and healthy nurture of all persons, especially children and youth, are a central mission of the Diocese of New Jersey and The Episcopal Church. This is a sacred trust. We require background checks and train staff and other volunteers who work with children to be on guard and proactive in preventing child physical, emotional and sexual abuse. We strive to conform to the highest standards, and all laws and policies of the State of New Jersey and the Episcopal Church, concerning child safety and protection.
If you require additional information about this matter, please refer to a letter issued by the Bishop of Pennsylvania which can be found here, or to the letter and additional information released by the Rector and Wardens of Trinity Church, Princeton which can be found here.
The world in which we all live is filled with evil and sin. The physical, sexual or mental abuse of children and youth is a particular manifestation of this and is always tragic. I hope we will hold all of those impacted in our prayers, especially those who have been victims, for whom the hurt is especially egregious and deep.
Faithfully yours in Christ
The Right Reverend William H. Stokes
12th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey