Sources close to the case tell Anglican Watch that, absent unforeseen circumstances, prosecutor Antonia Barry intends to retry Episcopal priest Richard Losch over allegations that he raped a boy at a New Hampshire boy scout camp in the 1970s. A previous trial ended in a hug jury.
Anglican Watch endorses plans for a retrial, particularly in light of defense counsel Michael Iacopino’s ethically questionable claims during the trial, including that the victim, known by the pseudonym “Jack,”:
- Was motivated by a desire for fame and fortune, despite the victim’s request to remain anonymous.
- Sought money, despite the fact that the Boy Scouts have provided only nominal financial assistance to the victim – and by nominal, we mean de minimus.
- Was motivated by anti-Catholic sentiment — despite the fact that “Jack” was born and raised in the Catholic faith, and has never made anti-Catholic statements.
- Was motivated by political perspective.
- Was egged on by this and other “priest abuse” publications. This is a fabrication, as “Jack” began pursuing the issue long before being in contact with Anglican Watch.
Anglican Watch rejects any effort by defense counsel to blame the alleged victim in cases of church abuse, and believes that Iacopino violated his ethical duty of candor to the tribunal by advancing frivolous claims entirely unsupported by the evidence.
Moreover, while we have been unable to independently verify the information, we have received credible claims that a second individual has come forward, alleging that he too was sexually assaulted as a minor by Losch.
We also reiterate our deep dismay in judicatories in the Episcopal Church, who to date have failed to notify affected communities of the potential risk Losch poses to vulnerable populations. Moroever, the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama lied to law enforcement officers investigating the case, telling them that Losch had no access to children and did not serve a parish. The reality is that Losch lives less than two miles from a school and served two Episcopal churches in Alabama.
Compounding matters, none of the relevant Episcopal judicatories subject to state mandatory reporting statutes requiring reports of historic abuse complied with these laws. Among those who ignored these requirements were Massachussets bishop Alan Gates, Presiding Bishop MIchael Curry, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, and then-Bishop for Pastoral Development Todd Ousley.
The denomination’s failure to report the allegations involving Losch are particularly disturbing as public records suggest Losch lived in a Masssachussets apartment for portions of the recent criminal trial.
Further, the Episcopal Church ignored entreaties to address the matter from a bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), as well as the ELCA’s legal department.
To date, the national Episcopal Church has refused to hold any of the bishops involved accountable under the Title IV clergy disciplinarcy canons, instead saying it will offer a “pastoral response” to the alleged victim. Previously, officials even ignored the canonical requirement of a pastoral response to the victim.
In closing, Anglican Watch reiterates our condemnation of the Episcopal Church’s shambolic, feckless non-response to the allegations against Losch. We also categorically reject defense counsel Iacopino’s efforts to smear/discredit the alleged victim in this matter. Finally, we call on Diocese of Alabama bishop Glenda Curry to resign over her ongoing disregard for the provisions of the Title IV clergy disciplinary canons, including ignoring multiple complaints forwarded by this organization involving allegations of sexual abuse.
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