NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
March 31, 2025
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 31, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ — A criminal trial of Episcopal priest and alleged child rapist Richard Losch is set for April 8-9, 2025 in the Grafton New Hampshire Superior Court. The case is State v. Richard Losch, docket: 215-2023-CR-0609.
The case stems from allegations dating from the 1970s that Losch drove a boy across state lines to a Boy Scout camp in New Hampshire, where he sexually assaulted the boy.
A particularly troubling aspect of the case is that the Episcopal Church has brushed off the issue at every level.
Indeed, despite more than a dozen pleas for help from the victim and intervention by an ELCA bishop, officials at every level of the church ignored the matter. Those who did so include:
● Then-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
● Bishop for Pastoral Development Todd Ousley
● Title IV Intake Officer for Bishops Barb Kempf
● President of the House of Deputies Julia Alaya Harris
● National Youth Ministry Officer Canon Myra B. Garnes
● Safe Church Manager Bronwyn Skov
● Assistant to the Presiding Bishop Sharon Jones
● Bishop of Alabama, Glenda Curry
● Alabama Title IV Intake Officer Rob Morpeth
● Executive Assistant to Massachusetts Bishop Alan Gates, Laura Simons
● Diocese of Massachusetts Title IV Intake Officer Starr Anderson
Furthermore, one retired bishop, Herman “Holly” Hollerith said, in an email he accidentally sent to the alleged victim, “I got this this morning. It’s from “Jack”. I’m just glad it’s directed toward Barbara and not us. Needless to say, I wouldn’t touch this complaint with a 1000 ft. pole.”
Additionally, Alabama diocesan staff lied to Massachusetts police investigators, saying that Losch did not have access to children and was not serving at church. This despite serving as acting rector at two churches and living close to a school building.
Alabama diocesan staff also lied to an ELCA bishop who requested assistance with this matter and to the ELCA legal department.
None of the church officials identified above have apologized or accepted responsibility in this matter. Nor has the church made any effort to comply with mandated reporting laws of the various jurisdictions involved.
A few church staff did help, including Diocese of New Hampshire Canon to the Ordinary Tina Pickering, Connecticut Bishop Ian Douglas (now retired), and the Rev. Canon Robin Hammeal-Urban, who was profoundly helpful and supportive throughout.
As a matter of law, Losch is innocent until found guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Anglican Watch encourages other media outlets to cover the story, and for all Christians to demand accountability from the Episcopal Church and an end to corruption in the denomination.
Founded in 2015, Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church, but covers both sexual and non-sexual abuse in all faith traditions. Anglican Watch is online at www.anglicanwatch.com.
SOURCE Anglican Watch
CONTACT: Eric Bonetti, 240-630-3767, [email protected]
Leave a Reply