[{"id":14360,"date":"2024-12-17T06:41:25","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T11:41:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14360"},"modified":"2024-12-17T06:43:33","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T11:43:33","slug":"central-florida-bishop-makes-culture-of-protection-a-priority-for-every-church-in-the-diocese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/central-florida-bishop-makes-culture-of-protection-a-priority-for-every-church-in-the-diocese\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Florida bishop makes \u2018culture of protection\u2019 a priority for every church in the diocese"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Anglican Watch\u00a0<\/em>endorses +Holcomb\u2019s efforts to make church safe for all persons, including those who have experienced abuse. We further note that he generally is considered a conservative bishop, which underscores our point that church safety is neither a liberal nor conservative issue, but rather a moral issue.<\/p>\n<p>We believe the church cannot grow and succeed until it takes seriously its failings on these matters and its tendency to protect the church at the cost of those it has hurt, while protecting egregious, often illegal conduct, by clergy. Moreover, far too few bishops understand the importance of disclosure and its relationship to healing.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Reprinted from <a href=\"https:\/\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/2024\/12\/16\/central-florida-bishop-makes-culture-of-protection-a-priority-for-every-church-in-the-diocese\/\">Episcopal News Service<\/a>. By Melodie Woerman<\/p>\n<p>Central Florida Bishop <a href=\"https:\/\/cfdiocese.org\/bishop-justin-s-holcomb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Justin Holcomb<\/a> has made it his priority since becoming bishop 18 months ago to create what he calls \u201ca culture of protection\u201d across the diocese, including for people who have suffered abuse, especially sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe church is supposed to be a safe place where abuse doesn\u2019t happen,\u201d Holcomb told Episcopal News Service, \u201cand it\u2019s supposed to be a refuge for people when it does happen. For those who experience abuse, it needs to be a safe place where they can be cared for and heal \u2026 a place of peace and healing with a message of hope for survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He has prioritized safety in part because he knows the statistics. During an April 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lambethconference.org\/phase-3\/phase-3-resources\/safe-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">webinar<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicancommunion.org\/community\/commissions\/the-anglican-communion-safe-church-commission.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Anglican Communion Safe Church Commission<\/a>, he laid out abuse statistics across American society: one in four women and one in six men have or will experience sexual abuse in their lifetime. One in five children experience sexual abuse before they are adults. One in five women and one in 20 men will suffer domestic abuse or domestic partner abuse.<\/p>\n<p>And he is keenly aware that those numbers are no different for the people who fill the pews in churches across his diocese.<\/p>\n<p>The Episcopal Church has had model policies and procedures to prevent abuse, known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/safe-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Safe Church<\/a>, for two decades, with other efforts going back another \u00a010 years. General Convention in 2022 created a staff position to manage Safe Church efforts, which in general exist to help Episcopalians know how to recognize, respond to and prevent power imbalances between those in authority and those they serve.<\/p>\n<p>Central Florida\u2019s existing diocesan Safe Church policies were good ones, Holcomb said, but he wanted outside experts to look at them for places where they could be improved. He brought in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgrace.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">GRACE<\/a>\u00a0(Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), a nonprofit based in Lynchburg, Virginia, that helps churches with prevention, healing and accountability around all kinds of abuse, to do that. Holcomb sits on the group\u2019s board.<\/p>\n<p>One existing diocesan policy he wants to strengthen concerns people who have been placed on Florida\u2019s sexual predator and offender registry. People are placed on the registry by state law, which may set a time limit for a name to remain there, Holcomb said. He wants the diocese to keep a list of those currently on the state registry, as well as those who were on it but have been removed because they no longer are required to be on it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe church should have a more expansive view\u201d than the state, Holcomb said. \u201cWe can do more than the law requires for safety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Holcomb knows this topic personally, as a victim of sexual abuse when he was 10 years old by a distant family member. In the webinar he described the sense of disgrace he and other abuse survivors often feel, along with helplessness, humiliation and confusion.<\/p>\n<p>He has been involved with preventing abuse and protecting victims for more than 20 years, including teaching about it when he was a professor at the University of Virginia and as the author of seven books about abuse written with his wife Lindsey Holcomb, a former case manager at a sexual assault crisis center who now works as an advocate for abuse survivors.<\/p>\n<p>In recognition of his commitment to abuse prevention, in 2023 he was invited to become a consultant to the Anglican Communion Safe Church Commission.<\/p>\n<p>He served as a canon in the diocese for 10 years before becoming bishop, and he said he was clear in the statements he submitted for his candidate profile that working to keep church members safe and helping those who have been abused recover would be central to his episcopacy.<\/p>\n<p>Holcomb sums up what he wants to see happen in every one of the 81 churches across the diocese in three phrases \u2013 prevent abuse, recognize abuse and respond to abuse, no matter where the abuse happens. Too often the church lags in its calling to care for people instead of being where it should be \u2013 on the forefront of these efforts, he said.<\/p>\n<p>In May the diocese sponsored a training event, titled \u201cShedding Light on Abuse: Prevention and Response,\u201d that was presented by GRACE. More than 100 people attended, Erik Guzman, the diocese\u2019s director of communications, told ENS, and professionally produced videos of the event were made available for additional training opportunities in smaller groups around the diocese. Holcomb and Mike Sloan from GRACE also will offer a one-hour training opportunity during the diocese\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/cfdiocese.org\/2025diocon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">annual convention<\/a> in January.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_123043\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-123043\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?resize=500%2C333&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?resize=272%2C182&ssl=1 272w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ens_121024_Holcomb_workshop.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-123043\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-123043\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bishop Justin Holcomb addresses a May 2024 safe church training event at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Screenshot courtesy Diocese of Central Florida<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The bishop also has started a new diocesan Safe Church Commission to look at ongoing efforts. One of the co-chairs is Monica Taffinder, a therapist who works with people who have been sexually abused. She is also a member of the diocese\u2019s Commission on Ministry and a former member of the Standing Committee. Taffinder sees Holcomb\u2019s efforts as shifting the diocesan conversation about Safe Church training from something that\u2019s \u201cgood to do\u201d to robust efforts that ensure people are safe and where those who have been abused \u201cfeel safe, known, heard and loved,\u201d she told ENS.<\/p>\n<p>The Safe Church Commission plans to work alongside the bishop to help clergy better understand the depth of trauma that many of their parishioners face, usually in silence. \u201cIt\u2019s safe to assume that a third of people coming through the church doors have had some kind of sexual trauma, because it\u2019s so underreported,\u201d Taffinder said.<\/p>\n<p>She rarely has heard a sermon about sexual abuse, she said, and while she doesn\u2019t recommend making it a regular topic, clergy do need to better understand the impact their words can have on abuse survivors. \u201cThe church certainly has inadvertently failed people who have been sexually abused, because a lot of times pastors speak from a context of a pretty trauma-less life,\u201d she said, and they don\u2019t think about how their words are heard differently by abuse victims than by others.<\/p>\n<p>For survivors of sexual abuse, hearing about forgiving people can sound like what happened to them not only doesn\u2019t matter, that it wasn\u2019t that big a deal, she said. \u00a0\u201cHaving everybody be more trauma-informed will greatly influence what people hear.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Taffinder said she hopes the church can be a place where \u201ceveryone who comes in is safe because we have such great communication and protocols in place, where children and adults who have been abused are safe because nothing\u2019s in secret \u2013 everything\u2019s in the light.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Holcomb also wants church members to know how to respond if an abuse survivor confides in them. \u201cThe moment of disclosure is one of the most powerful times in a survivor\u2019s life,\u201d he said, because they are taking a risk and hoping they aren\u2019t met with shame or suspicion.<\/p>\n<p>What they need to hear instead are simple phrases: I believe you. It wasn\u2019t your fault. I\u2019m sorry this happened to you. I hope you feel safe. It\u2019s OK to cry. Is there anything I can do to help? I\u2019m glad you\u2019re talking to me. Thank you for telling me \u2013 that took a lot of courage.<\/p>\n<p>ENS asked Holcomb about the impact on survivors when cases of sexual abuse are in the news, including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/2024\/11\/12\/archbishop-of-canterbury-justin-welby-to-resign-over-handling-of-child-sex-abuse-scandal\/\">resignation<\/a> over his failure to follow-up on reports of violent abuse by a British lawyer on young victims he met at youth camps beginning in the late 1970s tied to the Church of England, as well as the men President-elect Donald Trump has nominated for high-level jobs in his administration.<\/p>\n<p>Instances like these often activate memories of abuse and feelings of despair within survivors, even if the abuse happened years ago, he said, and they can raise questions about a lack of accountability for abusers. \u201cWhy is that abusive person given power instead of justice?\u201d is what survivors ask, Holcomb said, which then feeds into questions of whether it\u2019s worth it to speak up if they feel they won\u2019t be believed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVictim blaming is strong in America,\u201d he said, because it\u2019s easier for people to cope with the horrors of abuse if they think someone brought it upon themselves rather than recognize that perpetrators exist. This especially is true around sexual trauma, he said, and greater blame is often placed on victims of date rape and on victims who have been sexually active, intoxicated or engaged in non-stereotypical gender role behavior before the attack.<\/p>\n<p>Robin Hammeal-Urban has worked with Holcomb in her role as one of the 17 members of the Anglican Communion Safe Church Commission, which seeks to implement the communion\u2019s safe church guidelines across its 42 provinces in 165 countries. She is the former canon for mission integrity and training in the Diocese of Connecticut and was chair of The Episcopal Church\u2019s 2018 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/publicaffairs\/task-force-presents-updated-safe-church-policies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">task force<\/a>that produced new model Safe Church policies for <a href=\"https:\/\/extranet.generalconvention.org\/staff\/files\/download\/21314\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">adults<\/a> and for <a href=\"https:\/\/extranet.generalconvention.org\/staff\/files\/download\/21313\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">children<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In September she and Holcomb were part of the communion\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicancommunion.org\/community\/commissions\/the-anglican-communion-safe-church-commission\/anglican-safe-church-and-leadership-conference.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Leading Safer Churches conference<\/a> in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where she was surprised to find that people were eager to talk about abuse. Commission members were greeted by songs, one of which was about abuse as a reality, and this was followed by conversations about how widows and single mothers are treated badly.<\/p>\n<p>Hammeal-Urban led a panel about forgiveness that included Holcomb, two bishops from Africa and a bishop from England. During the discussion, some of the participants realized and then admitted that they had abused power while growing up and asked forgiveness for that. At the end of the session, a man raised his hand and said, \u201c\u2019I\u2019ve been a priest for 22 years, and this is the first workshop I\u2019ve been to about this topic. Why is that? How come?\u2019\u201d she recounted.<\/p>\n<p>She agreed with the emphasis Holcomb has placed on making churches in his diocese places of safety and healing, and she has witnessed the healing power that can come with telling one\u2019s story of abuse.<\/p>\n<p>A few years ago, a woman who had suffered sexual abuse in the church decades earlier asked Hammeal-Urban if she could tell her story to the diocesan bishop. He agreed, and along with Hammeal-Urban listened to her and then told her how sorry he was for what happened to her and reiterated that it wasn\u2019t her fault. After he left the room, the woman said she had realized for the first time that the shame she had carried all these years wasn\u2019t hers but instead belonged to the man who abused her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the healing that the Gospel is about,\u201d she said, \u201cand that\u2019s why over and over and over we tell people who have been victimized that it\u2019s not their fault, and that we believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014 Melodie Woerman is an Episcopal News Service freelance reporter based in Kansas\\<\/em><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anglican Watch\u00a0endorses +Holcomb\u2019s efforts to make church safe for all persons, including those who have experienced abuse. We further note that he generally is considered a conservative bishop, which underscores our point that church safety is neither a liberal nor conservative issue, but rather a moral issue. We believe the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14361,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9],"tags":[749,2284,1044,231],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-resources","tag-disclosure","tag-justin-holcomb","tag-safe-church","tag-title-iv"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9654.webp","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"n6n5sieXEI\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/central-florida-bishop-makes-culture-of-protection-a-priority-for-every-church-in-the-diocese\/\">Central Florida bishop makes \u2018culture of protection\u2019 a priority for every church in the diocese<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/central-florida-bishop-makes-culture-of-protection-a-priority-for-every-church-in-the-diocese\/embed\/#?secret=n6n5sieXEI\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Central Florida bishop makes \u2018culture of protection\u2019 a priority for every church in the diocese” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"n6n5sieXEI\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! 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Original on X <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elimcgowan\/status\/1858574471793459697?s=61\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Anglican Watch\u00a0<\/em>supports <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elimcgowan\">Eli McGowan<\/a> and his opposition to online racism.<\/p>\n<p>As for <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/pastorcmiller\">Pastor Miller<\/a>, we categorically reject any interpretation of scripture that prevents immediately addressing the egregious sin of racism.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Lovelady appears to be the owner of Texas Senior Agents, an insurance brokerage in New Braunfels, Texas, which is online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texassenioragents.com\/\">here<\/a>. His license information is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sircon.com\/ComplianceExpress\/Inquiry\/consumerInquiry.do?lastName=Lovelady&qualificationType=&licenseNumber=&state=TX&action=selectProducer&criteriaId=990460&addressType=01&firstName=&entityType=IL&city=New+Braunfels\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opc.org\/\">Orthodox Presbyterian Church<\/a> is an American Reformed Protestant denomination with nearly 34,000 members. They rarely gain media attention, and on issues of race spoke out as a denomination in the 1970s to affirm God’s love for all people and to condemn the sin of racial partiality. A few figures in OPC history, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opc.org\/GA\/race.html\">Rev. C. Herbert Oliver<\/a>, were recognized civil rights activists.<\/p>\n<p>His awareness of his own guilt and pollution should make a member of one race doubly concerned to approach a member of another race, which has been unjustly treated in the past, in a loving fashion, knowing that he himself is nothing apart from the grace of God in Christ. He should seek vigorously to root out injustices in any organization of which he is a member, especially in the church of Christ. \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opc.org\/GA\/race.html\">Report of the Committee on Problems of Race<\/a> (OPC, 1974).<\/p>\n<p>All off this makes the case of Ruling Elder Phil Lovelady (<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro?s=11&t=eg9S8g9EWH88zHVAWiiOBQ\">@TexSouthpresbro<\/a>), of <a href=\"https:\/\/heritagepresnb.org\/\">Heritage Presbyterian Church<\/a> in New Braunfels, Texas more incomprehensible. A quick perusal of Mr. Lovelady’s social media reveals something out-of-step not just with his denomination, but with core Christian doctrine.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14347\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14347\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14347 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9614-1024x698.jpeg\" alt=\"Mr. Lovelady using a slogan that calls for racial violence on his X account.\" width=\"900\" height=\"613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9614-1024x698.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9614-300x204.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9614-768x523.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9614-1536x1047.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9614-2048x1395.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14347\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mr. Lovelady using a slogan that calls for racial violence on his X account.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Replying this July to an account that shared a now-removed video of a black person having a public meltdown in a Costco (the post he replies to also uses the racial slur \u201cchimp\u201d), Phil uses part of the <\/span><a style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\" href=\"https:\/\/americanfuturist.net\/total-nigger-death\/\">known white supremacist slogan<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\"> \u201cTND,\u201d which stands for \u201c<\/span><a style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/Citations:TND\">total n***** death<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">.”<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14348\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14348 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9616-468x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Mr. Lovelady using a GIF that shows the destruction of "N" world.\" width=\"468\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9616-468x1024.jpeg 468w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9616-137x300.jpeg 137w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9616-768x1682.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9616-701x1536.jpeg 701w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9616.jpeg 874w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mr. Lovelady using a GIF that shows the destruction of “N” world.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Separately, Phil uses a giant \u201cN\u201d GIF in response to a video about a woman removing confederate flags from a cemetery. There\u2019s little doubt what this \u201cN\u201d (with \u201cN world\u201d being destroyed in the animation) was supposed to mean.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>These <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elimcgowan\/status\/1857123426093457864\">posts<\/a> and many more that engage in obscenity, antisemitic tropes, and promote the explictly kinist writings of men like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theamericanconservative.com\/thomas-achord-confesses\/\">Thomas Achord<\/a> aren’t the extent of his campaign of racism. Even without looking into the locked <a href=\"https:\/\/gab.com\/Phil4Texit\">Pro Gab account<\/a> he owns, which displays an antisemitic slogan in the bio, one can discover via a Google search that Phil was identified <a href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/fighting-hate\/intelligence-report\/2019\/identity-unmasked-meet-proprietors-internets-largest-neo-confederate-propaganda-machine\">by name<\/a> as far back as 2019 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as a leader in Identity Dixie, one of the largest neo-Confederate hate groups in the country, which calls for secession, and via secret online communities coordinates with other explicitly white nationalist groups. It is best known for helping organize the infamous Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, VA. Phil was connected to members of this and other white nationalist groups through his Facebook, <a href=\"https:\/\/mboroafa.blackblogs.org\/2019\/10\/06\/meet-christopher-cedeno-the-cuban-confederate\/\">including Christopher Cedeno<\/a>, a white nationalist charged with multiple felonies for assaulting protestors whose own Facebook is filled with many explicit uses of the N-word.<\/p>\n<p>Scripture and the OPC standards are clear on the qualifications someone seeking to be ordained as an elder should have:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.\u201d \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Titus%201%3A5-9&version=ESV\">Titus 1:7-8 (ESV)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Those who fill this office should be sound in the faith and of exemplary Christian life, men of wisdom and discretion, worthy of the esteem of the congregation as spiritual fathers. \u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/opc.org\/BCO\/FG.html#Chapter_X\">OPC Book of Church Order<\/a>, Chapter X.2<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Unfortunately, like in other cases of ecclesiastical sin being addressed, even public sin, the blame was quickly shifted to me for addressing these evil public remarks, publicly.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/pastorcmiller\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14349 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9618-1024x872.jpeg\" alt=\"Pastor Carl Miller runs interference for racism\" width=\"900\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9618-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9618-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9618-768x654.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9618.jpeg 1076w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/pastorcmiller\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14350 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9619-1024x891.jpeg\" alt=\"Pastor Carl Miller runs interference for racism\" width=\"900\" height=\"783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9619-1024x891.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9619-300x261.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9619-768x668.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9619.jpeg 1074w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I take John Calvin’s view, from his <a href=\"https:\/\/ccel.org\/ccel\/calvin\/calcom32\/calcom32.ii.lxiii.html\">Commentary on Matthew 18:15<\/a>, that there is not a requirement that general sins, and public sins, be addressed only privately:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>But there is an obvious limitation in the words of Christ; for he does not simply, and without exception, order us to advise or reprove privately, and in the absence of witnesses, all who have offended , but bids us attempt this method, when we have been offended in private; by which is meant, not that it is a business of our own, but that we ought to be wounded and grieved whenever God is offended. And Christ does not now speak about bearing injuries but teaches us in general to cultivate such meekness towards each other, as not to ruin by harsh treatment those whom we ought to save.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Against thee. This expression, as is evident from what we have said, does not denote an injury committed against any one, but distinguishes between secret and open sins. For if any man shall offend against the whole Church, Paul enjoins that he be publicly reproved, so that even elders shall not be separated; for it is in reference to them that he expressly enjoins Timothy, to rebuke them publicly in the presence of all, and thus to make them a general example to others, (<a href=\"https:\/\/ccel.org\/study\/iTim_5:20-5:20\">1Timothy 5:20<\/a>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>And certainly it would be absurd that he who has committed a public offense, so that the disgrace of it is generally known, should be admonished by individuals; for if a thousand persons are aware of it, he ought to receive a thousand admonitions. The distinction, therefore, which Christ expressly lays down, ought to be kept in mind, that no man may bring disgrace upon his brother, by rashly, and without necessity, divulging secret offenses.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Others have said public discussion draws attention to scandal and hurts our witness. Christ is not in the public relations business. He is in the business of calling sinners to repentance, and the more often and more publicly we as a church call blatant, wicked sin for what it is, the better. Historically, it has been the opposite which harmed our witness more.<\/p>\n<p>Since his public postings were noticed Mr. Lovelady has responded by boasting about new followers, and posting a selfie, before locking his account, which still includes “Ruling Elder” in his bio.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14351 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9620-692x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\" width=\"692\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9620-692x1024.jpeg 692w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9620-203x300.jpeg 203w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9620-768x1136.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9620-1038x1536.jpeg 1038w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9620.jpeg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 692px) 100vw, 692px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-14353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9622-1024x687.jpeg\" alt=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\" width=\"900\" height=\"604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9622-1024x687.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9622-300x201.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9622-768x515.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9622.jpeg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-14354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9623-954x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"https:\/\/x.com\/texsouthpresbro\" width=\"900\" height=\"966\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9623-954x1024.jpeg 954w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9623-279x300.jpeg 279w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9623-768x824.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9623.jpeg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A source on the session (gathering of Elders and the Pastor) of Heritage confirmed that an effort to call a session meeting about this topic was made but was not successful. I received an email from Rev. Miller also:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/pastorcmiller\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-14355\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9624-1024x856.jpeg\" alt=\"https:\/\/x.com\/pastorcmiller\" width=\"900\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9624-1024x856.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9624-300x251.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9624-768x642.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9624.jpeg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I am working to approach the session again, as well as the Presbytery of the Southwest, with properly formatted versions of my concerns about this public sin, and anyone who is already in that church, Presbytery, or the OPC may have more immediate success. I deeply appreciate anyone who takes time to address this, or anyone willing to assist.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing. \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=ESV\">1 Corinthians 13:1-3<\/a> (ESV).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reprinted with permission. Original on X here. Anglican Watch\u00a0supports Eli McGowan and his opposition to online racism. As for Pastor Miller, we categorically reject any interpretation of scripture that prevents immediately addressing the egregious sin of racism. Mr. Lovelady appears to be the owner of Texas Senior Agents, an insurance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[2283,2280,2279,2278,1067,2277,2281,186,2282],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-antisemitism","tag-cn","tag-naparc","tag-op","tag-pca","tag-phil-lovelady","tag-presbyterian","tag-racism","tag-whitenationalism"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9617.jpeg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"LqDs4Nyk6f\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/total-n-death-how-a-texas-church-elder-preached-a-gospel-of-hate-online\/\">Total N***** Death” \u2014 How a Texas Church Elder Preached a Gospel of Hate Online<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/total-n-death-how-a-texas-church-elder-preached-a-gospel-of-hate-online\/embed\/#?secret=LqDs4Nyk6f\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Total N***** Death” \u2014 How a Texas Church Elder Preached a Gospel of Hate Online” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"LqDs4Nyk6f\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14346"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14343,"date":"2024-12-15T10:50:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T15:50:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14343"},"modified":"2024-12-15T11:12:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T16:12:53","slug":"smyths-sadistic-behavior-could-claim-30-percent-of-the-cofes-evangelicals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/smyths-sadistic-behavior-could-claim-30-percent-of-the-cofes-evangelicals\/","title":{"rendered":"Smyth’s sadistic behavior could claim 30 percent of the CofE’s evangelicals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hometext\">\n<div class=\"field field-name-field-hometext-news field-type-text-long field-label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\">\n<p>By David W. Virtue, DD<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.virtueonline.org\/\">www.virtueonline.org<\/a><br \/>\nNovember 29, 2024<\/p>\n<p>The long knives are out. John Smyth’s sadistic behavior which has claimed the Archbishop of Canterbury, could claim as much as 30 percent of the Church of England’s evangelicals, a confidential source told VOL.<\/p>\n<p>There has been a conspiracy of silence — Omerta — to protect those accused of abuse, VOL was told. “Up to 30% of the CofE is tainted.”<\/p>\n<p>Evangelicals have grown rapidly in number and influence these past thirty years on the assumption that they “put bums on pews.” It has similarities with the prosperity gospel preachers who, one by one, have fallen from their prominent perches.<\/p>\n<p>The Archbishop of York, Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell has been credibly charged with failing to report 11 cases of sexual abuse. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, lost his Permission to Officiate (PTO) over failed safeguarding issues, and the former Archbishop of York, John Sentamu has also lost his PTO over similar accusations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hometext\">\n<div class=\"field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\">\n<p>It was confirmed this week that a former Bishop the Rt. Rev. Paul Butler, is among the clergy who have been asked to “step back” from ministry while “safeguarding” reviews prompted by the Makin review are conducted.<\/p>\n<p>The Makin review concluded that John Smyth’s abuse became an “open secret amongst a whole variety of people connected with the Conservative Evangelical network with individuals named in the report, running into dozens, ranging from those who actively covered up the abuse in the 1980s to those who learned of it in the past decade, after survivors made disclosures to the diocese of Ely.”<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, the Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen Ann Hartley, wrote on social media: “It’s clear from the 100s of emails I continue to receive that there’s a crisis of trust in the episcopate (not surprising, and not new). Makin must be a watershed and (all) named in the Review must step back from public ministry now pending independent investigations.”<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, dioceses are taking decisions about the ministry of clergy named in the Makin review. A Rev. Sue Colman who has served as a part-time voluntary associate minister in the Diocese of Winchester and her husband Jamie who were named in the Makin report have agreed to step back from their ministries.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I have made it clear that the National Safeguarding Team will investigate every clergy person or others within their scope of whom they have been informed who knew and failed to disclose the abuse.” This commitment was also made to survivors, with the archbishop saying that a list held up by one survivor would act as the basis for investigations. The Makin review records that “this is not what then happened,” and that victims felt that a promise had been broken.<\/p>\n<p>It would now appear that whatever leverage evangelicals might have had in their desire for a “parallel province” to separate themselves from the pro homosexual LLF report and a liberalizing progressive church on human sexuality has all but gone.<\/p>\n<p>We await the other shoe to drop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By David W. Virtue, DD www.virtueonline.org November 29, 2024 The long knives are out. John Smyth’s sadistic behavior which has claimed the Archbishop of Canterbury, could claim as much as 30 percent of the Church of England’s evangelicals, a confidential source told VOL. There has been a conspiracy of silence<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7253,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2614222C-F2AC-4AAA-BE92-5080F3C2E97B-scaled.jpeg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"6FQqZ3Or6G\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/smyths-sadistic-behavior-could-claim-30-percent-of-the-cofes-evangelicals\/\">Smyth’s sadistic behavior could claim 30 percent of the CofE’s evangelicals<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/smyths-sadistic-behavior-could-claim-30-percent-of-the-cofes-evangelicals\/embed\/#?secret=6FQqZ3Or6G\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Smyth’s sadistic behavior could claim 30 percent of the CofE’s evangelicals” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"6FQqZ3Or6G\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14343\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14343"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14342,"date":"2024-12-14T11:50:34","date_gmt":"2024-12-14T16:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14342"},"modified":"2024-12-14T11:50:34","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T16:50:34","slug":"bishop-singh-issues-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/bishop-singh-issues-statement\/","title":{"rendered":"Bishop Singh issues statement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ed: The following was approved for release by ++Rowe. While we remain unconvinced of Singh\u2019s integrity, we publish this in the interest of furthering discussion of the underlying issues.<\/p>\n<p>We further note that talk is cheap, but actions matter. We will continue to assess the situation based on Singh\u2019s conduct, versus any statement he may make to the media.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE \u2013 DECEMBER 14, 2024, 10:00 AM CST:<br \/>\nScott A. Smith<br \/>\nSMITH LEGAL PLLC<br \/>\nCanon Counsel to The Rt. Rev. Prince Singh<br \/>\n(612) 987-6546<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:scott@smithlegalpllc.com\">scott@smithlegalpllc.com<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>As the Accord notes, Bishop Singh disputes the allegations brought against him by the<br \/>\nComplainants in these Title IV matters. Nonetheless, and in keeping with the goals and purposes<br \/>\nset forth in Canon IV.1 and as authorized by the Canons, Bishop Singh voluntarily entered into<br \/>\nnegotiations with the Presiding Bishop to alleviate further distress, begin the healing process,<br \/>\nspare all parties, other affected persons and the Church from the emotional and spiritual trauma<br \/>\nof a full hearing on the merits, and bring much-needed closure to these matters. The Presiding<br \/>\nBishop sought and received substantial input on a proposed Accord from the Complainants in<br \/>\nboth matters and other affected parties, and the Presiding Bishop and Bishop Singh agreed to<br \/>\nmodify the proposed Accord in consideration of their comments. The final Accord was then<br \/>\napproved by the Disciplinary Board for Bishops, again in conformity with the Canons.<\/p>\n<p>Bishop Singh has voluntarily consented to the terms of the Accord and is fully committed to<br \/>\nfaithfully completing the work required of him. In particular, Bishop Singh deeply regrets the<br \/>\npain suffered by his sons and former spouse and is pledged to pursue reconciliation and healing<br \/>\nwith them. Bishop Singh is grateful for the Presiding Bishop\u2019s devoted efforts to resolve these<br \/>\ndisputes consistent with the stated aims of Title IV and for his ongoing supervision and guidance.<br \/>\nWith God\u2019s help, Bishop Singh looks forward to returning to active ministry and continuing his<br \/>\nservice to God and The Episcopal Church at some future date.<\/p>\n<p>Given the Holy Silence required of him by the Accord, Bishop Singh will have no further<br \/>\ncomment on these matters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ed: The following was approved for release by ++Rowe. While we remain unconvinced of Singh\u2019s integrity, we publish this in the interest of furthering discussion of the underlying issues. We further note that talk is cheap, but actions matter. We will continue to assess the situation based on Singh\u2019s conduct,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[2270,1063,231],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-presiding-bishop-sean-rowe","tag-prince-singh","tag-title-iv"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9517.webp","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"7YfESwYASG\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/bishop-singh-issues-statement\/\">Bishop Singh issues statement<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/bishop-singh-issues-statement\/embed\/#?secret=7YfESwYASG\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Bishop Singh issues statement” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"7YfESwYASG\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14342"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14342"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14340,"date":"2024-12-13T20:48:14","date_gmt":"2024-12-14T01:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14340"},"modified":"2024-12-13T20:48:35","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T01:48:35","slug":"bishop-singh-suspended-for-three-years-as-the-episcopal-church-shows-a-glimmer-of-integrity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/bishop-singh-suspended-for-three-years-as-the-episcopal-church-shows-a-glimmer-of-integrity\/","title":{"rendered":"Bishop Singh suspended for three years as the Episcopal Church shows a glimmer of integrity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There\u2019s good news in the air today, and it\u2019s not just the bells of Christmas. Specifically, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has <a href=\"https:\/\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/2024\/12\/13\/presiding-bishop-suspends-prince-singh-for-three-years-resolving-two-title-iv-cases-against-bishop\/\">suspended Bishop Singh<\/a> for three years in settlement of two of the Title IV clergy disciplinary cases against him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Per the terms of the disciplinary agreement, reinstatement is neither automatic nor guaranteed but rather predicated on the successful completion of mental health and substance abuse treatment and counseling about the appropriate use of power and authority. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Specific provisions under the accord per a letter from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/publicaffairs\/letter-from-presiding-bishop-sean-rowe-on-bishop-singh-title-iv-accord\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Rowe<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Be suspended from ministry for at least three more years. The suspension will conclude only when I am satisfied he is fit for ministry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Undergo a thorough psychiatric and psychological assessment conducted by a professional in the United States designated by me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Participate in truth-telling work related to both sets of allegations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Participate in psychological work, education, and training in domestic abuse as required by me in consultation with a psychological professional.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Participate in psychological work, education, and training in anger management, as required by me in consultation with a psychological professional.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Participate in psychological work, education, and training in proper exercise of authority, as required by me in consultation with a psychological professional.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Undertake work addressing his relationship with alcohol and its behavioral consequences in a program approved by me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Undertake work to address reputational harm suffered by people in the Diocese of Rochester as appropriate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Make visits and apologies to people, congregations, and other groups whom I identify and who are willing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Participate in education and training in Title IV values, process, and procedures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Some of the specific Title IV allegations against Singh are now online and can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/pastoral-development\/title-iv-for-bishops\/hearing-panel-cases\/\"><span class=\"s2\">here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">Our take<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This outcome has been much too long in the offing. It reflects an often willful decision by Todd Ousley, who is the outgoing Bishop for Pastoral Development, and other judicatories in the denomination to disregard and contort the requirements of Title IV.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For starters, Title IV is not a burden but an opportunity for the church and its officials to troubleshoot problematic situations. That is the case even when the behavior in question may not rise to the level of a Title IV offense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">However, far too many treat Title IV as if it were the old, courtroom-style process, with a winner and a loser. As such, many bishops diocesan regard the only actionable behavior as that which involves murder, plunder, and pillage\u2014and even then, the complainant\u2019s odds of success are low. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As mentioned earlier, much of this problem has been trickle-down in nature. With Ousley and the Office of the Presiding Bishop taking a \u201cno-blood-no-foul\u201d approach to clergy discipline, it should come as no surprise that feckless bishops take an equally lackadaisical approach to Title IV.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In the instant case, the church would have saved itself a great deal of time and trouble if PB Michael Curry, Todd Ousley, and others had engaged appropriately long ago. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">That means, instead of babbling on about the Way of Love, they tried actually to show some love by picking up the phone as soon as a complaint came in and, in the words of Joan Rivers, saying, \u201cWe need to talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Indeed, the problem long predates the Singh complaint. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Ousley has been up to his sneaky, duplicitous games for a long time, even back when he was a bishop diocesan, and displayed a remarkable ability to ignore even the most outrageous clergy misconduct.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">But even if that behavior didn\u2019t garner attention, Ousley\u2019s insane and outlandish efforts to help out Episco-bro and adulterer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/frank-griswolds-legacy-speaks-to-currys-questionable-ethics\/\">Whayne Hougland<\/a> with a golden parachute should have been enough to ring the curtain down on this buffoon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Going back to the Singh complaint, an earlier, healthier approach to the complaints would have protected the reputation of all involved and reduced the trauma arising from this situation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Indeed, while we have our misgivings about the Singh brothers, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Their farcical attempt to launch a grassroots campaign against their father while controlling the underlying messaging via their \u201cnothing about us without us\u201d approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Their sense of entitlement, even as they decry the very tokenism that got their father his six-figure job as a bishop.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We also recognize they should never have been put in a position where they felt that their only recourse was to go public.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">Curry and Ousley need to be held accountable<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There\u2019s more to the Singh saga, and that includes the need to hold Curry and Ousley accountable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A careful reading of the complaints against Singh reveals that one issue is that he likes to wing it on Title IV clergy disciplinary complaints, including ignoring specific canonical requirements, like forwarding complaints to the diocesan intake officer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The problem is that this is exactly what Curry and Ousley did\u2014they ignored the issue, sat on it, hoped it would go away, and basically engaged in what one judicatory we know refers to as \u201cthe routine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In Curry\u2019s case, we could live with an outcome where he agrees to go away quietly and not come back. His tenure was largely a waste, and we have yet to see any sign that he actually follows the Way of Love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">But in Ousley\u2019s case, he\u2019s been around for a while, and he\u2019s done a dismal job of training existing bishops. So we hope he will face discipline over his misfeasance, malfeasance, and nonfeasance. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Indeed, Ousley loves to mischaracterize cases that have come to him as seeking to overturn an adverse Title IV complaint when the reality is that the complaint is about the bishop diocesan\u2019s failure to follow Title IV. And yes, Nick Knisely and the Disciplinary Board for Bishops continue to fall for this BS.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Let\u2019s not forget that Ousley\u2014along with bishops Alan Gates, Glenda Curry, and Michael Curry\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/todd-ousley-removed-from-all-title-iv-functions\/\"><span class=\"s2\">ignored<\/span><\/a> the victim in the Richard Losch case, despite the fact the case involves allegations of felony child rape. All involved need to face clergy discipline over their willful mishandling of that case, even as we are left wondering what kind of jackass ignores the rape of a child.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">A good start<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Remember the old joke about a lawyer on the bottom of the sea being a good start? Well, the same holds true in this case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In addition to Ousley, Michael Curry, Glenda Curry, and Alan Gates, many other Episcopal bishops are equally guilty of Title IV shenanigans, including knowingly mishandling complaints.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Among these bishops:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frank_Clayton_Matthews\"><span class=\"s4\">Clay Mathews<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, whose behavior during his tenure in the Office of Pastoral Development was every bit as feckless as that of piece-o\u2019-snot Todd Ousley.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/corrupt-episcopal-bishop-alan-gates-announces-retirement\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Alan Gates<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who has knowingly brushed off allegations of criminal conduct by clergy in his diocese and gravely mishandled the Anderson case at Church of the Advent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/diocese-of-virginia-portrait-of-a-diocese-in-dire-trouble\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Shannon Johnston<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who repeatedly ignored the requirements of Title IV, ranging from the need for a pastoral response to simply saying, \u201cI don\u2019t want to get involved,\u201d even in the face of allegations of criminal conduct by clergy. He also covered up allegations of sexual harassment of an adult woman by Episcopal priest Stephen McWhorter, then canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/molly-james-and-other-national-officers-of-the-episcopal-church-continue-to-ignore-sexual-harassment-and-retaliation-by-bishop-george-sumner\/\"><span class=\"s4\">George Sumner<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, whose retaliation against Episcopal priest Rich Daly, support for the sexual harassment of an adult woman, and his deliberate mishandling of an ensuing Title IV complaint warrant immediate suspension. Meanwhile, the Title IV case against Sumner, which was filed with the appropriate intake officer more than a year ago, still has not even cleared the intake phase.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/spotlight-on-abuse-episcopal-bishop-susan-goff\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Susan Goff<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who has refused to forward allegations of criminal conduct by clergy under her supervision to the diocesan intake officer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/spotlight-on-abuse-rt-rev-jennifer-brooke-davidson\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Jennifer Brooke-Davidson<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who also has refused to forward allegations of criminal conduct by clergy under her supervision to the diocesan intake officer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/calling-bs-on-episcopal-bishop-chilton-knudsen\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Chilton Knudsen<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who has held as acting bishop diocesan, that allegations of criminal conduct by a priest are not \u201cof weighty and material importance to the ministry of the church.\u201d She also has refused to report child sexual abuse to law enforcement on two known occasions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/the-episcopal-church-needs-to-take-criminal-conduct-by-clergy-seriously\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Gayle Harris<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who has refused to forward allegations of criminal conduct by clergy to her diocesan intake officer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/time-for-paula-clark-to-shape-up-or-ship-out\/\"><span class=\"s4\">Paula Clark<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, who continues to sandbag allegations of perjury by Episcopal priest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/episcopal-priests-will-bouvel-and-walter-smedley-sued-for-alleged-civil-conspiracy-and-civil-rights-violations\/\">Will Bouvel<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Additionally, myriad canons to the ordinary, intake officers, and disciplinary board members, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/spotlight-on-abuse-episcopal-priest-william-clay-parnell\/\">Bill Parnell<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/diocese-of-alabama-the-rev-rob-morpeth-ignores-allegations-of-child-molestation\/\">Rob Morpeth<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/further-reflections-on-the-max-debacle\/\">Melissa Hollerith<\/a>, and others, need to make themselves scarce or be defrocked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Without accountability, the bad habits of the past \u2014 including deliberate malfeasance \u2014 will continue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s4\">Speaking of Title IV training\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While we\u2019re on the topic, the Singh accord raises an important issue: the need for Title IV proficiency. Specifically, even well-meaning bishops rarely fully understand the current version of Title IV. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Nor is <\/span><span class=\"s5\">Anglican Watch <\/span><span class=\"s1\">the only place raising these issues. <a href=\"https:\/\/anglicanmusicians.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/AAM_Abuse_Taskforce_Report.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">Says<\/span><\/a> the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM):<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThere exists no formal mechanism whereby abuses of power in the church workplace can be constructively addressed and resolved. One could argue that Title IV is such a mechanism, but although the canons of the Episcopal Church do not limit application of Title IV solely to fiscal and sexual impropriety, the reality seems to be that Title IV is only<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">invoked in such cases.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Nor is misconduct within the church unusual. The same AAM study cited above reveals that 22 percent of members have experienced sexual abuse. Just shy of 65 percent of all AAM members report non-sexual abuse, including psychological abuse and gaslighting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Thus, <\/span><em><span class=\"s5\">Anglican Watch <\/span><\/em><span class=\"s1\">believes that judicatories need to recognize, as in the Singh case, that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Title IV is not confined to fiscal and sexual misconduct. In other words, abuse is abuse and must not be brushed off as interpersonal conflict or not of \u201cweighty and material importance to the ministry of the church.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">All allegations of criminal conduct or sexual harassment are, by definition, actionable under Title IV.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Title IV violations can be substantive or procedural. Substantive violations are those that are expressly forbidden, like the rape of a parishioner. Procedural violations are those in which, for example, a bishop dismisses a complaint on a pretextual basis. For the record, procedural violations in Title IV cases are endemic and rarely addressed, either on appeal or by contacting the national church. Further, judicatories quite commonly resort to procedural misconduct to avoid addressing inconvenient Title IV complaints.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Even now, the Disciplinary Board for Bishops plays fast and loose with Title IV. For example, recent decisions wrongly instruct complainants that the matter is confidential. That is wrong under Title IV, which (with one recently added minor exception) applies only to clergy. Moreover, telling an injured party that they cannot discuss the case is, per se, unethical, just as using a nondisclosure agreement is unethical.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">Disclosure, truthtelling, and accountability<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Singh case raises the important issue of disclosure and truthtelling \u2014 an issue lost on most Episcopal bishops. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Far too often, the assumption is that communities \u2014 typically the church itself \u2014 will \u201csuffer\u201d or experience trauma if the truth about misconduct comes out. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While that conclusion is normally convenient for the church and its judicatories, and may be seen as protecting the denomination\u2019s reputation, such behavior disincentivizes a culture of accountability. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Moreover, members of the Episcopal Church cannot be in right relationship with one another when they do not know the truth about so-called leaders. Nor can the church be in the right relationship with God or the world around it until it is willing to tell the truth about its myriad failings. \u201cYou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Thus, it is imperative for the survival of the church that judicatories and members alike understand the importance of disclosure. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Relatedly, with disclosure comes accountability, for without accountability, there cannot be repentance, healing, or potential reconciliation. In other words, until the Episcopal Church learns to conduct itself as a Christian church \u2014 versus a religious social club \u2014 it will continue to falter, for people increasingly reject organizations that demonstrate hypocrisy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Thus, <\/span><em><span class=\"s5\">Anglican Watch <\/span><\/em><span class=\"s1\">hopes that, at every level, bishops and other judicatories will look at the Singh settlement with an eye toward lessons learned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Further, we note that Singh\u2019s misconduct is far too common in the episcopacy. Indeed, his behavior mirrors that of Easton bishop Santosh Marray, George Sumner, Shannon Johnston, and Alan Gates. The Disciplinary Board of Bishops thus needs to review pending cases involving these bishops with a discerning eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s3\">Final thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the record, we extensively researched the Singh case prior to pulling the plug on coverage due to requests by the complainants (the bishop\u2019s family) to censor our content. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As a result, we can confidently say that Singh is a bully and probable narcissist\/sociopath. His behavior, viewed over time, is inconsistent with the message of the Gospels, and we include both his professional behavior and his conduct towards his family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">And so, a three-year suspension with tough conditions is entirely warranted. Moreover, we hope Singh will make life easy for all involved and choose not to return to ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s good news in the air today, and it\u2019s not just the bells of Christmas. Specifically, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has suspended Bishop Singh for three years in settlement of two of the Title IV clergy disciplinary cases against him. Per the terms of the disciplinary agreement, reinstatement is neither<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[294,1623,1275,1063],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources","tag-bishop-sean-rowe","tag-episcopal-news-service","tag-episcopal-title-iv","tag-prince-singh"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9517.webp","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"SqL67RRfMg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/bishop-singh-suspended-for-three-years-as-the-episcopal-church-shows-a-glimmer-of-integrity\/\">Bishop Singh suspended for three years as the Episcopal Church shows a glimmer of integrity<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/bishop-singh-suspended-for-three-years-as-the-episcopal-church-shows-a-glimmer-of-integrity\/embed\/#?secret=SqL67RRfMg\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Bishop Singh suspended for three years as the Episcopal Church shows a glimmer of integrity” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"SqL67RRfMg\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14340","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14340"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14340\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14340"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14338,"date":"2024-12-12T22:55:59","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T03:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14338"},"modified":"2024-12-12T22:55:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T03:55:59","slug":"justin-welby-let-convicted-sex-offender-work-at-cathedral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/justin-welby-let-convicted-sex-offender-work-at-cathedral\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Welby let convicted sex offender work at cathedral"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hometext\">\n<div class=\"field field-name-field-hometext-news field-type-text-long field-label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\">\n<p><i>The Archbishop of Canterbury allowed Canon John Roberts to continue officiating even after a further allegation of sexual assault<\/i><\/p>\n<p>By Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter<br \/>\nTHE TIMES<br \/>\nNovember 22 2024<\/p>\n<p>The Archbishop of Canterbury allowed a convicted sex offender to continue working at Liverpool Cathedral even after he was accused of further crimes.<\/p>\n<p>The Most Rev Justin Welby, who announced last week that he would resign over his handling of allegations about the prolific sex abuser John Smyth, is facing further questions about his approach to a second case in which a paedophile worked in the church for five decades.<\/p>\n<p>In 2007 Welby allowed Canon John Roberts to continue officiating despite being told he was convicted for sex offences committed in 1989. In 2011, when another man came forward to complain of unwanted sexual advances, Welby accepted Roberts’s denials and banned the victim, who he said was angry and aggressive, from the cathedral.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hometext\">\n<div class=\"field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\">\n<p>John Roberts, 90, was convicted in 2020 of nine charges of indecent and sexual assault against three victims<\/p>\n<p>Welby told Roberts he could continue practising but to make sure he was not alone with parishioners, writing to him that “for obvious reasons you are more vulnerable to unfounded accusation [sic] than others”.<\/p>\n<p>The archbishop has apologised and said he regrets his handling of the incident, but claims that he did not have all the information.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts, 90, was finally brought to justice in 2020 when he was convicted of nine charges of indecent and sexual assault against three victims. He was convicted again this year in relation to a further victim, and three years were added to his jail term, making a total of 12 years.<\/p>\n<p>Craig Freedman, 51, who has waived his right to anonymity, was abused by Roberts in the 1980s, resulting in the original 1989 conviction, but said the church swept the crimes under the carpet.<\/p>\n<p>Craig Freedman was abused as a child by Roberts, but says the church put him down and discredited him. Freedman, 51, says that Welby should leave the post of Archbishop of Canterbury immediately.<\/p>\n<p>He told The Times that there should be a full inquiry into the actions of church officials, including those of Welby. The archbishop has said he will formally complete his duties on January 6, but Freedman said he should go now: “The suffering has been emotional, physical and mental. Even though in 1989 I proved my innocence and his guilt, they chose to put me down and discredit me.”<\/p>\n<p>Welby announced his resignation after a damning report into Smyth, a prolific child abuser who died in 2018 and was never brought to justice. The Makin review found that Welby, 68, and senior colleagues had a “distinct lack of curiosity” to ensure that allegations into Smyth were properly followed up by police. Four other priests have had their permission to serve suspended.<\/p>\n<p>Richard Scorer, the head of abuse law at Slater and Gordon, said of the Roberts case: “At the very least Justin Welby appears to have exhibited the same lack of curiosity and concern which we saw recently revealed in the Smyth case”.<\/p>\n<p>The Roberts case was “one of the most egregious failures that I’ve seen”, he added.<\/p>\n<p>Scorer, and David Greenwood of Switalskis Solicitors, who both acted for victims of Roberts, are both calling for an external independent review to examine the church’s conduct.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts was convicted in 1989 of the indecent assault of Freedman for which he was fined \u00a3500 and required to sign the sex offenders register. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IISCA) was told he was allowed to remain at St Peter’s Church in Woolton, Liverpool, because David Sheppard, then Bishop of Liverpool, considered it was a miscarriage of justice.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts was based at St Peter’s Church in Woolton, Liverpool.<\/p>\n<p>Roberts was promoted to become a canon of Liverpool cathedral in 1995 and, after his retirement in 2002, was given permission to carry on providing ministry and undertaking church services.<\/p>\n<p>He was not supposed to carry out one-to-one sessions although IISCA found these lines were consistently crossed or blurred. In 2007 he administered at services where children were present.<\/p>\n<p>Welby, who became dean of Liverpool that year, said he was told of the conviction and that Roberts and his colleagues believed it to be unjust, but that he never knew the details. He said that Roberts was doing “valuable” work with refugees and warned him not to be alone with worshippers.<\/p>\n<p>Giving evidence at Roberts’s criminal trial in 2020, Welby was asked whether he was told the 1989 conviction involved a sexual act on the boy, who was aged 15 and in care, and that Roberts had told him he loved him, kissed him and touched him. According to a transcript obtained by The Times, Welby replied: “No. I would certainly remember that.”<\/p>\n<p>Justin Welby accepted Roberts’s denials of sexual assault of a vulnerable man and banned the victim, who he said was angry and aggressive, from Liverpool cathedral<\/p>\n<p>Welby told the court that “safeguarding was something that concerned me deeply” and was “something we talked about a great deal”. He told Roberts to follow the rules he set for himself, which “is not to see anyone vulnerable, and certainly not young people, in private, but to find public places where you could be observed but not overheard”.<\/p>\n<p>In 2011 a vulnerable man, who had sought support at the cathedral, claimed that Roberts had inappropriately touched him during a home visit and made unwanted advances. Welby wrote to colleagues that the complainant had past drug and alcohol abuse problems and that he had banned him from the cathedral when he became abusive and threatening to staff.<\/p>\n<p>Welby told the complainant that Roberts’s account was “totally different to yours” and in the absence of independent evidence no more could be done.<\/p>\n<p>Privately he wrote to Roberts that the complainant had made abusive phone calls and “in light of his behaviour today we accept your account”. He said that dealing with pastoral matters was risky when it involved “potentially troubled people”, again urging Roberts not to see people alone as “for obvious reasons you are more vulnerable to unfounded accusations than others”.<\/p>\n<p>The complainant later wrote to Welby that his attitude was of “casual indifference” and sarcastically congratulated Roberts that his “repeated, deeply unprofessional and sexual advances in my own home have managed to slip under the radar”. He added: “It seems Welby looks after his own over there at the cathedral.” In 2020 Roberts was convicted of sexual assault in relation to the incident.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019 Welby told IISCA — which did not fully investigate the Roberts case because of the police investigation and sub judice issues — that he regretted his handling of the 2011 allegation, adding: “With the benefit of hindsight … I would not have permitted [Roberts] to be on my staff.”<\/p>\n<p>Lambeth Palace said in a statement that Roberts’s crimes were “an appalling breach of trust and have damaged the lives of his victims and the survivors. The Church [of England] must always be accountable and learn lessons from its handling of these cases.”<\/p>\n<p>It said the archbishop followed the process at the time, notifying colleagues of the 2011 complaint, but “regrets the handling”. The complainant’s threats towards members of staff “affected his judgement and handling. He has apologised for his response, and has said publicly that had he known the full detail of John Roberts’s 1989 conviction, he would have handled it differently. At no stage did he conceal information”.<\/p>\n<p>Greenwood said: “This scandal is a mirror image of previous cases in which bishops have protected convicted clergy and reintroduced them into risky positions, failing to heed the abuser’s previous behaviours.” He said that the inaction of Welby and other bishops should be publicly scrutinised.<\/p>\n<p>END<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Archbishop of Canterbury allowed Canon John Roberts to continue officiating even after a further allegation of sexual assault By Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter THE TIMES November 22 2024 The Archbishop of Canterbury allowed a convicted sex offender to continue working at Liverpool Cathedral even after he was accused of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-resources"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9508.png","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"T9RBrYSzQO\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/justin-welby-let-convicted-sex-offender-work-at-cathedral\/\">Justin Welby let convicted sex offender work at cathedral<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/justin-welby-let-convicted-sex-offender-work-at-cathedral\/embed\/#?secret=T9RBrYSzQO\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Justin Welby let convicted sex offender work at cathedral” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"T9RBrYSzQO\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14338"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14327,"date":"2024-12-11T23:47:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T04:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14327"},"modified":"2024-12-11T23:58:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T04:58:49","slug":"busted-episcopal-diocese-of-alabama-and-rob-morpeth-cover-up-child-rape-by-episcopal-priest-john-cruse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/busted-episcopal-diocese-of-alabama-and-rob-morpeth-cover-up-child-rape-by-episcopal-priest-john-cruse\/","title":{"rendered":"Busted: Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and Rob Morpeth cover up child rape by Episcopal priest John Cruse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been a hectic last few weeks, and we apologize for the delay in posting and calling multiple people back. Nothing like health issues at home and the holidays to gum up the works.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Anglican Watch<\/em> recently had the opportunity to speak with David Burchell, a victim of sexual assault and rape by the late Episcopal priest John Cruse.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll go into the details in a moment, but for now, let\u2019s just say that his experience underscores the profound corruption and dysfunction of the Episcopal Church and, more particularly, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dioala.org\/\">Episcopal Diocese of Alabama<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Who is David Burchell?<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14329\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14329\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_1737.jpeg\" alt=\"David Burchell (left) and his husband, Darrell Johnston (right)\" width=\"480\" height=\"585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_1737.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_1737-246x300.jpeg 246w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14329\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David Burchell (left) and his husband, Darrell Johnston (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Originally from Crossett, AR, David is the consummate Southern gentleman in every sense, including being consistently polite.<\/p>\n<p>For many years, David struggled with his sexual orientation.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, he appears to have worked through these issues, and he\u2019s now happily married to another man, Darrell Johnston, whom he met through <a href=\"https:\/\/stdunstansauburn.org\/\">St. Dunstan\u2019s<\/a> at Auburn University.<\/p>\n<p>But there\u2019s an ugly and traumatic backstory to David\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n<p>David came to the Episcopal Church as a teen and attended <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StMarkCrossett\/\">St. Mark\u2019s Church<\/a>, located in his hometown of Crossett, AK.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, St. Mark\u2019s rector, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/George-Hart-100007903514813\/\">Fr. George Hart<\/a>, verbally abused Burchell, but despite Hart\u2019s behavior, David grew to love the denomination and its inclusive nature.<\/p>\n<h2>Things go sideways at St Dunstan\u2019s<\/h2>\n<p>Things went sideways, however, when David went to Auburn University in 1997 and connected with the St. Dunstan\u2019s community there.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, from where we sit, things followed a predictable pattern.<\/p>\n<p>The rector of St. Dunstan\u2019s, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/obituaries\/name\/john-cruse-obituary?pid=187318970\">the late Rev. John W. Cruse<\/a>, took an interest in David that extended to confiding in David, asking David to housesit for him, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Predictably, Cruse steered the conversation to a variety of inappropriate topics, including porn and sex. As a result, David confided in Cruse about his struggles with his sexual orientation.<\/p>\n<p>It comes as no surprise that the culmination of the grooming process came when Cruse invited David to his home for dinner. Included with the meal was that staple of Southern life, sweet tea, which Cruse appears to have spiked with a date rape drug.<\/p>\n<p>Today, David remembers bits and pieces of the events that followed, which included being on the floor, sexual assault, penetration, and Cruse holding a knife to his throat, telling him that it was all his fault, and threatening to kill him if he ever told anyone.<\/p>\n<p>David eventually made his way to his car and made his way home before calling his mother in despair, coming out to her, and telling her in very general terms about the sexual encounter.<\/p>\n<p>Later, after fleeing to his mother\u2019s home, David was relieved to discover that his mother and grandmother, who also lived there, were loving and supportive, encouraging him to contact the bishop\u2014even though they didn\u2019t know that the situation involved rape.<\/p>\n<h2>Coming forward \u2014 and running into a brick wall<\/h2>\n<p>By 1999, David had recognized the importance of coming forward and sharing his abuse.<\/p>\n<p>Early in that process, David went to Little Rock to speak directly with <a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Larry_Maze\">Bishop Larry Maze<\/a>, who was sympathetic and supportive \u2014 but quick to point out that he had no canonical authority over Cruse, and that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dioala.org\/\">Episcopal Diocese of Alabama <\/a>was the venue with jurisdiction.<\/p>\n<p>From there, David contacted <a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Henry_N._Parsley_Jr.\">Alabama Bishop Henry N. Parsley, Jr<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Henry_N._Parsley_Jr.\">,<\/a> who was empathetic and had David come to the diocesan offices, meet with him, and while on-site, write out a statement about the rape.<\/p>\n<p>Subsequently, the Diocese of Alabama called David, telling him that Cruse had admitted to the assault, but refusing to say anything beyond that.<\/p>\n<p>Before we go further, we\u2019re calling BS on the Diocese. By not sharing details with David, it\u2019s not possible to know what Cruse actually admitted to, if anything. Moreover, rape is a criminal offense, and <em>Anglican Watch<\/em> has uncovered zero evidence that a police report was filed. Moreover, when Cruse died, his obituary still referred to as a priest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Newsflash<\/strong>: Rapists should not serve as clergy. Full stop. No excuses, explanations, exceptions, or discussion.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, the Diocese is morally liable and should be both held both criminally and civilly liable.<\/p>\n<p>So, what did the Diocese do to make things right?<\/p>\n<p>It provided a few counseling sessions to David and paid for his mileage. Nothing more.<\/p>\n<p>Sorry, folks: Rape warrants more than a few meetings with a therapist. If this is the best the Episcopal Church can do, it\u2019s a sorry day, both for the church and its members. In fact, it\u2019s time to sell off the real estate, donate the proceeds to those of limited means, and call it a day.<\/p>\n<h2>Litigation and seminary<\/h2>\n<p>So how did David react to the Diocese of Alabama\u2019s lame \u201cpastoral response\u201d?<\/p>\n<p>Besides grief and anguish, he rightly consulted with an attorney, who offered to take the case on a contingency-fee basis and predicted a high likelihood that the matter would settle prior to going to trial.<\/p>\n<p>But there was an obstacle: David felt called to go to seminary. And those in the know \u2014 including former rector George Hart and Bishops Maze and Parsley \u2014 told him he would not be able to go to seminary if he told anyone, or sued the church.<\/p>\n<p>On that score, we\u2019re calling BS on the Episcopal Church and the clergy involved in this situation:<\/p>\n<p>1.\u00a0\u00a0 Christians are called to bring light to the darkness. We cannot be in right relationship when we do not know the truth about the church and its clergy.<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0\u00a0 Those who suffer abuse at the hands of the church or its clergy should not have to sue to be made whole. Nor should they have to deal with the abusive conduct of the Church Pension Group (the church\u2019s captive insurance carrier) and its deny, avoid, equivocate, and litigate approach when confronted by misconduct.<\/p>\n<p>3.\u00a0\u00a0 No one should have to choose between their wellbeing and the opportunity to serve the church.<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0\u00a0 The sort of behavior described above is called aiding and abetting. Recall: Cruse\u2019s behavior is a felony.<\/p>\n<h2>Psychological fallout<\/h2>\n<p>The result of Cruse\u2019s criminal conduct, combined with the Episcopal Church\u2019s refusal to act with integrity in this matter, has caused predictable mental health issues for David, including bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n<p>Nor has David ignored these challenges. He\u2019s been diligent in getting mental health care, counseling, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/mental-health\/emdr-what-is-it\">EMDR<\/a>, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Yet despite David\u2019s diligent efforts, he continues to struggle. As a result, we expect he will soon be forced to file for long-term disability.<\/p>\n<h2>Seminary<\/h2>\n<p>Not surprisingly, David\u2019s struggles with sexual abuse and the resulting PTSD\/trauma impacted his time in seminary, despite a long-standing track record of academic success.<\/p>\n<p>David\u2019s seminary experiences began at <a href=\"https:\/\/theology.sewanee.edu\/\">Sewanee<\/a>, where he struggled to succeed due to the inherent ongoing reminders of being sexually abused.<\/p>\n<p>Following his decision to voluntarily withdraw from Sewanee, David tried again, this time at New York\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gts.edu\/\">General Theological Seminary (GTS)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Regrettably, despite his obvious love for the church and his fellow human beings, David\u2019s trauma again got the better of him, resulting in his withdrawal from GTS.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14331\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14331\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-14331\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_0024-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Letter from Bishop Larry Maze\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_0024-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_0024-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_0024-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_0024-rotated.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Letter from Bishop Larry Maze<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Diocese of Western Masschussets behaves badly<\/h2>\n<p>Still determined to find justice, David, then a resident of Holyoke, MA, filed a Title IV complaint with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.diocesewma.org\/\">Diocese of Western Massachusetts<\/a> over his abuse during the Episcopal Church\u2019s three-year suspension (2019-2021) of the canonical statute of limitations for sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<p>The response was about what we\u2019d expect: Cold and uncaring.<\/p>\n<p>Not surprisingly, David became increasingly angry as the Diocese stymied his concerns, ultimately losing his temper and crying.<\/p>\n<p>Even then, the Diocese was anything but compassionate, instead trying to shame David, and refusing to give him a copy of the \u201cinvestigative\u201d report.<\/p>\n<p>Our guess is that the Diocese behaved like most Episcopal judicatories. Specifically, we suspect a phone call was made to the Diocese of Alabama, which responded with something along the line of, \u201cWell, you know David has issues, and he\u2019s been complaining about these issues for a long time\u2014even after we paid for several counseling sessions!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Of course, this approach sidesteps any meaningful or independent consideration of the underlying facts. And while we can\u2019t say for sure that this is how the Diocese of Massachusetts handled the complaint, we\u2019ve seen an identical fact pattern in so many cases that we\u2019re can safely say it\u2019s pulled straight from the Episcopal clergy misconduct playbook.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, even if the perpetrator is dead, the matter should have been <strong>immediately<\/strong> referred to law enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>If nothing else, anyone willing to rape another human being, has used illegal date rape drugs, and threatened to commit murder has almost certainly engaged in other illegal conduct. And this situation is doubly appalling when the perpetrator is a priest \u2014 a person who occupies a position of inherent trust.<\/p>\n<p>Needless to say, the allegations have not been reported to law enforcement.<\/p>\n<h2>Sweet home Alabama<\/h2>\n<p>From there, David not surprisingly reached out the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama to find out what on earth was going on behind the scenes. His phone call was fielded by one of the great jackasses of the denomination, the now retired canon to the ordinary, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/diocese-of-alabama-the-rev-rob-morpeth-ignores-allegations-of-child-molestation\/\">Rob Morpeth<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For the record, Anglican Watch has dealt directly with Morpeth before and found him to be unresponsive and spectacularly ill-suited to ministry, let alone to serve as a canon to the ordinary.<\/p>\n<p>As such, Morpeth was a suitable missional partner to the equally feckless, arrogant, and dishonest Glenda Curry, who continues to ignore multiple cases of misconduct within her diocese, including that of child rapist and Episcopal priest <a href=\"https:\/\/thewartburgwatch.com\/2023\/09\/01\/fr-richard-loschs-indictment-for-child-rape-underscores-apathy-among-episcopal-leaders-episcopalstoo\/\">Richard Losch<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>So what transpired during David\u2019s call with Morpeth?<\/p>\n<p>Suffice it to say, the answer is that Morpeth\u2019s behavior was anything but Christlike and included:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Telling David that he was lying.<\/li>\n<li>Accusing David of being a \u201cfake,\u201d whatever the heck that is supposed to be.<\/li>\n<li>Hanging up on him.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Indeed, during the all-too-brief call, the then-bishop diocesan was heard to say in the background that the Diocese would not get involved.<\/p>\n<p>That approach of, \u201cI don\u2019t want to get involved,\u201d is all too common in the denomination, and makes a mockery of the church\u2019s claims that it opposes abuse, and that church canons have any relevance to the actual governance of the church.<\/p>\n<h2>The Episcopal Church piles on<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s another disturbing aspect to this case, and one that is a given in any case of abuse within the denomination, and that is the alacrity with which all levels of the Episcopal Church have tried to silence David and punish him for speaking out about criminal conduct.<\/p>\n<p>Specific examples of the church causing added trauma include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The previously cited examples of Rob Morpeth\u2019s unacceptable and abusive behavior.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Bishop Maze, in his role at Sewanee, challenging David by asking, \u201cWhat is wrong now?\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Bishop Maze telling David that, if he left a meeting with him, to never come back.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Rector George Hart, from David\u2019s childhood parish, telling him he must never discuss being raped, and that, if he filed a lawsuit, he was \u201cmoney hungry\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Bishops Maze and Parsley demanding silence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Church members shunning\/ostracizing David and criticizing him for speaking out, aka rocking the boat.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>To be clear, these are just a few examples of the church\u2019s unethical response to the victim of criminal conduct by clergy, and we could cite many more examples.<\/p>\n<h2>What would justice look like?<\/h2>\n<p>There is nothing the church can do to punish the perpetrator, John Cruse, who has died and presumably gone to wherever rapist priests go in the afterlife. There is, however, much that the Episcopal Church can do to fix the situation.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>It can start by recognizing that the canons and their statute of limitations are irrelevant in this situation. Rape is rape, and the highest priority is caring for the victim, not shielding the denomination from legal liability or conserving the Church Pension Group\u2019s billions of dollars in cash. That\u2019s how Jesus would handle the situation, and it\u2019s how the church needs to respond.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">The church can drop the BS excuses, backroom chatter, and furtive phone calls within the Pointy Hats Club, aka the House of Bishops, and take the matter seriously. That means actually listening to David, hearing what he\u2019s saying, and assuming he\u2019s telling the truth. To be clear: False reports of rape are very rare, and there is zero reason to conclude that David is not credible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">The church needs to stop using David\u2019s PTSD and other trauma, which it caused, in an effort to discredit him. This behavior is unacceptable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">The church needs to act with transparency. When someone is the victim, the whole bit about an investigatory report being confidential goes out the window. That approach is consistent with Title IV, which allows a bishop diocesan to waive confidentiality to address pastoral needs. (Canon IV.8.3) Further, rapists enjoy no privacy interest, and all involved should feel free to quote us.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">The church can tell the truth. That means disclosing what Cruse did, who knew about his misconduct, and what the church did \u2014 and didn\u2019t \u2014 do to address his criminal conduct. To be clear: We have evidence of other potential misconduct by Cruse, so a full investigation and referral to law enforcement are required.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">The church can pay for, or otherwise making possible, meaningful mental health care for David. It\u2019s called restitution, and it\u2019s a requisite part of repentance according to the Christian faith.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">The church can hold Rob Morpeth and others involved accountable for their conduct. The tired routine of \u201cmistakes were made and we\u2019re sorry\u201d isn\u2019t going to cut it. And we\u2019re tired of the church playing fast and loose with its own corruption<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Finally, the Episcopal Church can and must make clear to all involved, including people in the pews, that victims of rape and other criminal conduct by clergy who come forward are not the enemy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>In closing:<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>A quick note to the inevitable lawyers: Put the word \u201calleged\u201d in front of every assertion in this post. These are allegations and have not been proven in a court of law; all persons, including Cruse, are presumed innocent as a matter of law until found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Anglican Watch has, however, spoken directly with David and find him to be credible. We have confirmed key aspects of his allegations with third parties and have run a background check on him to verify specific dates and times. We therefore believe David without hesitation or reservation, and are mindful that his primary reason for coming forward is to help others.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">Our heartfelt prayers go out to David, his husband, and all who have been hurt by the Episcopal Church, both through things done and left undone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>We commend David for his courage in coming forward. Reaching out to a complete stranger takes courage, and even more so when in trauma\u2014and when the Church has done everything in its power to minimize, deny, avoid, and deflect David\u2019s anguish.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\"><em>Anglican Watch<\/em> calls on the Episcopal Church, the Dioceses of Alabama and Western Massachusetts, and all involved in the evil and abusive mishandling of this case to repent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">We hope that this article, in some small way, brings healing and closure to David, his husband, his family, his friends, and all who love him.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been a hectic last few weeks, and we apologize for the delay in posting and calling multiple people back. Nothing like health issues at home and the holidays to gum up the works. Anglican Watch recently had the opportunity to speak with David Burchell, a victim of sexual assault<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9476.jpeg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"h3DlGJAYc5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/busted-episcopal-diocese-of-alabama-and-rob-morpeth-cover-up-child-rape-by-episcopal-priest-john-cruse\/\">Busted: Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and Rob Morpeth cover up child rape by Episcopal priest John Cruse<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/busted-episcopal-diocese-of-alabama-and-rob-morpeth-cover-up-child-rape-by-episcopal-priest-john-cruse\/embed\/#?secret=h3DlGJAYc5\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Busted: Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and Rob Morpeth cover up child rape by Episcopal priest John Cruse” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"h3DlGJAYc5\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14327"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14327\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14327"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14321,"date":"2024-12-07T23:16:46","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T04:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14321"},"modified":"2024-12-07T23:18:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-08T04:18:53","slug":"safeguarding-bishops-apologise-to-survivors-following-archbishops-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/safeguarding-bishops-apologise-to-survivors-following-archbishops-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding bishops apologise to survivors following Archbishop\u2019s speech"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/anglican.ink\/2024\/12\/06\/safeguarding-bishops-apologise-to-survivors-following-archbishops-speech\/\">Anglican Ink<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Lead Bishops for Safeguarding, Joanne Grenfell, Julie Conalty and Robert Springett have written to survivors and their advocates following the Archbishop of Canterbury\u2019s speech in the House of Lords.<\/p>\n<p><em>We write after watching Archbishop Justin\u2019s farewell speech in the House of Lords yesterday.\u00a0 We have heard from several of you about the distress and anger that this has caused you.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Both in content and delivery, the speech was utterly insensitive, lacked any focus on victims and survivors of abuse, especially those affected by John Smyth, and made light of the events surrounding the Archbishop\u2019s resignation. It was mistaken and wrong. We acknowledge and deeply regret that this has caused further harm to you in an already distressing situation.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>We know that the Church of England has seriously failed over many years at many levels in relation to safeguarding, and we are so sorry that yesterday\u2019s speech was the antithesis of all that we are now trying to work towards in terms of culture change and redress with all of you.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>As lead bishops for safeguarding in the Church of England, we apologize to you.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>We will continue to do all we can to change the culture of the Church, so that abuse is exposed and prevented, those in authority are held to account, and the searching light of truth is allowed to shine into every corner of our lives.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>If you are or are in contact with someone affected by this letter, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on <a href=\"tel:0300 303 1056\">0300 303 1056<\/a> or visit\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.churchofengland.org\/safeguarding\/reporting-abuse\"><em>this webpage<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0where other support services are listed.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anglican Ink The Lead Bishops for Safeguarding, Joanne Grenfell, Julie Conalty and Robert Springett have written to survivors and their advocates following the Archbishop of Canterbury\u2019s speech in the House of Lords. We write after watching Archbishop Justin\u2019s farewell speech in the House of Lords yesterday.\u00a0 We have heard from<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[27,1269],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-archbishop-justin-welby","tag-church-culture"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9411.jpeg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"vMWgXhaNR7\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/safeguarding-bishops-apologise-to-survivors-following-archbishops-speech\/\">Safeguarding bishops apologise to survivors following Archbishop\u2019s speech<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/safeguarding-bishops-apologise-to-survivors-following-archbishops-speech\/embed\/#?secret=vMWgXhaNR7\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Safeguarding bishops apologise to survivors following Archbishop\u2019s speech” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"vMWgXhaNR7\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14321\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14321"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14297,"date":"2024-12-03T09:48:44","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T14:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14297"},"modified":"2024-12-03T17:32:46","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T22:32:46","slug":"calling-bs-on-cayce-ramey-and-his-eucharistic-fast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/calling-bs-on-cayce-ramey-and-his-eucharistic-fast\/","title":{"rendered":"Say farewell to a fraud: reflections on Title IV and the lies of Cayce Ramey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In news likely only of interest to church nerds, Virginia priest <a href=\"https:\/\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/2024\/11\/26\/virginia-priest-defends-his-eucharistic-fast-to-court-of-review-in-fight-against-removal-from-priesthood\/\">Cayce Ramey<\/a> has appealed to the Title IV Court of Appeals over the decision to defrock him for refusing to serve or partake of the Holy Eucharist \u2014 a position he claims he takes over his opposition to the legacy of slavery in the Episcopal Church. That said, we\u2019re here to call BS, both on Cayce Ramey and the Episcopal Church, with particular reference to Ramey\u2019s lies about the matter.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hate is alive and well in the Episcopal Church<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To be clear, we recognize that today\u2019s church remains deeply racist, homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic. Further, most of the church\u2019s efforts to address these issues \u2014 to the extent the church makes any such effort \u2014 are transactional, feel-good measures like book groups and Sacred Circles. Not to mention the church moves so damned slowly that we\u2019ll be playing Pickle Ball on Mars before anything comes of the church\u2019s so-called efforts to address racism.<\/p>\n<p>Even paying reparations is done in an amount too small even to begin to compensate victims, and many of the clergy involved in deciding how to spend reparations are, to put it bluntly, losers whose main interest is \u201cdoing church,\u201d versus actually ending injustice.<\/p>\n<p>So, the Episcopal Church may say it rejects racism. Yet in doing so, there are damned few parishes that do anything to actually encourage persons of color to participate in the life of the church. Things like getting a van to pick up those who lack transportation or advertising in minority communities, things that might actually get black people to church, are of zero interest in most parishes. But our little Sacred Ground group\u2014now THERE\u2019S progress. In fact twelve people attended.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, we agree with Ramey that racism is alive and well in the church, and the church needs to repent. But from there, we have to examine Ramey\u2019s role in these issues, which is ugly, at best.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Sincere belief versus Title IV<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>First, we need to put aside the reporting by the Episcopal News Service and others, which until recently took at face value Ramey\u2019s claims that the controversy is all about his sincerely held views on racism and slavery.<\/p>\n<p>In that regard, Ramey\u2019s pleadings prove tiresome as they bloviate about his commitment to ending racism and slavery. But whether someone is sincere or not has not bearing on Title IV and misconduct under Title IV.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, we are mindful of the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven, women who were not eligible for ordination per church canons. We also recall the ordination of openly LGBTQ+ clergy, which until recently was prohibited by the church.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, ecclesiastical courts may be reluctant to hold clergy accountable for violating church canons, but that is an issue distinct from whether the canons have been violated.<\/p>\n<p>In that regard, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia correctly notes in its Title IV pleadings that it doesn\u2019t matter how sincere Ramey may be. What matters is whether he is in violation of church canons.<\/p>\n<p>We also note that Ramey correctly states that the church routinely ignores canons when the church find its convenient to do so. In our view, that\u2019s no defense, as there\u2019s no time like the present to start being consistent \u2014 and we have long objected to the denomination\u2019s hypocrisy on that score.<\/p>\n<h2>Ramey\u2019s questionable sincerity and veracity<\/h2>\n<p>Having parsed the distinction between sincerity and the canons, it seems only fair to explore the issue of Ramey\u2019s sincerity, since he himself brings the issue up. On that score, we see zero sign of sincerity on Ramey\u2019s part.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, a careful reading of the filings in the Title IV case reveals that much of the issue comes down to intra-church politics and the dynamics of power.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, prior to the situation blowing up, Ramey was the rector of Sharon Chapel in Alexandria, VA. Like many small parishes, recent years have not been kind to the parish, with it and several smaller Alexandria-area parishes long ago ceasing to be viable as stand-alone churches.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Sharon Chapel and several other small churches in the Alexandria area wound up part of a collaborative project referred to as the \u201cPotomac Episcopal Fellowship,\u201d a resource-sharing initiative that some considered a precursor to an eventual combined parish.<\/p>\n<p>This arrangement proved problematic, and not just over the usual issues of money and buildings. Specifically, Ramey was doing academic work during this time, and the Title IV pleadings reveal considerable tension with Ramey, all centered around an apparent desire to get paid as a rector, but not actually do any related work.<\/p>\n<p>Among the documented complaints were:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a lack of pastoral care by Ramey<\/li>\n<li>an indifference to the needs to others<\/li>\n<li>a general lack of interest in serving as rector. Indeed, the only thing that Ramey appears to have been interested in was his academic work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Indeed, in all the materials filed in this matter, one theme is tellingly absent, which is Ramey expressing concern for the well-being of his parishioners. To to the contrary, in his pleadings, Ramey has the chutzpah to tell us that his parishioners were not injured by his conduct, on the basis that supply and other clergy could say Mass in his stead.<\/p>\n<p>How reassuring. And convenient for Ramey.<\/p>\n<p>And just by coincidence, Sharon Chapel wound up choosing to stay independent and not be part of the Potomac Episcopal Fellowship.<\/p>\n<p>Relatedly, as we reported earlier, Ramey\u2019s pleadings are replete with how, as a Marine, he prepared his to-do list, action items, etc., even as he tells us what a go-getter he is, resourceful, and all the other usual BS. Frankly, we don\u2019t care that he served as a Marine, and we doubt anyone else does.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, the whole thing smacks of narcissism and a priest who wants to turn the suffering of others to his advantage, even as he doesn\u2019t do jack diddly to actually address that suffering.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, we\u2019d be much more prepared to believe that Ramey was sincere if he was Mr. Pastoral Care, at area hospitals, funeral homes, and other fora night and day. But even his own parishioners complained about a lack of pastoral care from Ramey, and other churches within the Potomac Episcopal Fellowship (including one with what, for the Episcopal Church, passes as a high percentage of Black parishioners), found Ramey to be challenging, to say the least.<\/p>\n<h2>The Diocese and Title IV<\/h2>\n<p>Having parsed the issue of Title IV and Ramey\u2019s unconvincing claim of sincerity, we next turn to the Diocese of Virginia and its assertion that Ramey is in violation of Title IV via his refusal to officiate at Mass. On that score, we are unconvinced.<\/p>\n<p>To be clear, several here at <em>Anglican Watch<\/em> are proficent in Title IV. Yet we are aware of no affirmative canonical obligation by priests to celebrate Mass.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the issue is one of Ramey failing to follow a pastoral direction.<\/p>\n<p>If that\u2019s the case, we don\u2019t see one in the pleadings, nor do we see reference to one. And references to discussions between Susan Goff and the respondent don\u2019t cut it\u2014a pastoral direction needs to expressly refer to itself as such. And if Goff truly intended that Ramey needs to say Mass, and didn\u2019t feel he was doing so, then the next step under the canons was a written pastoral directive.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, we see former bishop Susan Goff allowing Ramey time to work through the issue, ultimately asking him how his behavior comports with his vows as a priest. But that is not the same as saying. \u201cYou will celebrate Mass on Sundays, or you will resign as rector of Sharon Chapel.\u201d (To be clear, Ramey ultimately did the latter.)<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, we know plenty of ordained priests and bishops who go for long periods without saying Mass, whether because they are inactive, called to ministry elsewhere, or simply retired.<\/p>\n<p>Nor are we aware of any canonical obligation to serve in a role in which Mass must be said. We know many priests who serve in social services and never set foot in a church except to worship with others.<\/p>\n<p>And there\u2019s nothing in the pleadings to suggest that Ramey tried to bar other clergy from saying Mass, or tried to prevent others from receiving the sacrament.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, we see that Ramey failed to fulfill the job requirements associated with being a rector, but we don\u2019t see that he violated any canons. Thus, the matter becomes one \u2014 as bishops far too often like to assert \u2014 between Ramey and his vestry.<\/p>\n<p>In that regard, Ramey\u2019s resignation ended that discussion.<\/p>\n<p>Relatedly, we note that the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is unwilling to enforce Title IV in other, more egregious situations.<\/p>\n<p>For example, it is indisputable that Episcopal priest Bob Malm, formerly rector of Grace Episcopal in Alexandria, committed a felony offense by repeatedly commiting perjury in multiple civil cases he filed against Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti and his family. Yet to this day, the Diocese refuses to refer Malm to law enforcement for criminal investigation, and Malm continues to \u201cserve\u201d a parish in Massachusetts. Thus, as an unindicted criminal, Malm has ongoing access to church funds, confidential information, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Further, as defense counsel aptly noted, one of the problems facing the Diocese in this matter is that it routinely ignores other canonical violations related to the saying of Mass when it finds it convenient to do so. This includes the rubric that only baptized Christians can receive communion.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, we see the Diocese\u2019s efforts to defrock Ramey as not motivated by any legitimate concern over Ramey\u2019s behavior, but rather as an ill-advised response to Ramey\u2019s chutzpah, combined with the fact that, behind the scenes, Ramey is a self-entitled, narcissistic jackass trading on the suffering of others.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, we don\u2019t have any objection to Ramey leaving active ministry, but we are not convinced that Title IV is the way to go, at least absent a pastoral direction that he needs to say Mass. And we object to the Diocese\u2019s seat-of-the-pants approach to clergy discipline\u2014this entire debate is a waste of time and resources. If folks want rid of Ramey \u2014 and they rightly should \u2014 send him a written pastoral direction, and when he says no, nuke him.<\/p>\n<h2>The specter of mental illness<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s also a tantalizing clue to the backstory in this situation-one that we probably will never be able to fully explore.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, in the Title IV pleadings, Bishop Suan Goff\u2019s notes discuss a meeting with Ramey in which he allegedly appeared alternately tearful and manic. As a result, Goff allegedly told Ramey that she was concerned about his health.<\/p>\n<p>Details of this situation likely will never be made public. But our hope is that Goff, who had no qualms issuing a pastoral direction to Lura Kaval about her interactions with her vestry, was similarly assertive with Ramey. Being concerned about Ramey\u2019s mental health is not adequate; the episcopacy presumably exists for times like this, when someone needs to simply say, \u201cI am going to ask that you get an evaluation, with a copy of the report sent to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, the difficulties Ramey had as part of the Potomac Episcopal Fellowship, the lack of empathy for his parishioners, and his seeming narcissism, all suggest that there are larger issues afoot.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the outcome of the Title IV case, we hope Ramey gets any care he may need.<\/p>\n<h2>The bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>As we stated in our previous coverage, we believe the real reason for Ramey\u2019s actions is that he doesn\u2019t want to be a priest, but rather wants to become an anti-racism consultant. Indeed, Ramey appears to be using TItle IV to credential himself for his <a href=\"https:\/\/racialheresy.com\/services\/\">Racial Heresy <\/a>consulting practice, even as he deceives the publlic by falsely claiming he\u2019s been accused of being a heretic over his opposition to racism.<\/p>\n<p>To be clear, Ramey is accused of disciplinary misconduct, not heresy. And his lack of concern for parishioners at Sharon Chapel and feckless work ethic as a priest, combined with his narcissistic puffery about being a Marine, are off-putting, to say the least.<\/p>\n<p><em>Anglican Watch<\/em> is not falling for Ramey\u2019s self-serving rhetoric, and we hope the Diocese of Virginia will devote its scant resources to something more useful than helping this knucklehead, a white guy who lives in a million-dollar home in Fall Church, pretend to actually know anything about racism.<\/p>\n<p>And we applaud the comments in the <em>Episcopal News Service<\/em>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/episcopalnewsservice.org\/2024\/11\/26\/virginia-priest-defends-his-eucharistic-fast-to-court-of-review-in-fight-against-removal-from-priesthood\/\">recent coverage<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>As Ramey awaits the Court of Review\u2019s appeal ruling, he has pitched consulting services, publicly branding himself as \u201can Episcopal priest tasked with interrupting normative white supremacy in the Church,\u201d according to his website, <a href=\"https:\/\/racialheresy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Racial Heresy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHire a Heretic!\u201d the site says. \u201cJesus\u2019 radical love as justice has gotten me accused of heresy. No. Really.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The website also <a href=\"https:\/\/racialheresy.com\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">advertises two separate pilgrimages<\/a> to Ghana in March 2025 that will be led by an \u201cexperienced anti-racism laborer, Episcopal priest and trained systems-oriented group facilitator\u201d \u2013 the Rev. Cayce Ramey.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>If nothing else, the fact that Ramey is lying about being proclaimed a \u201cheretic\u201d should be enough to tell the public that he\u2019s nothing but a privileged white nincompoop pretending he\u2019s got solutions for the long-standing problem of racism. And spending money to go on a for-profit \u201cpilgrimage\u201d to Africa ends racism how? The money would be far better spent helping less privileged persons get to church, for example.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019d also be interested to know the extent of Ramey\u2019s \u201clabor\u201d to address racism. For example, when did he last tutor under-privileged youth? Repair homes? Advocate for affordable housing? Something tells us we will be underwhelmed.<\/p>\n<p>So yes, we get irritated with the Episcopal Church and its transactional\/cash-based approach to racism, as well as its feel-good, virtue-signaling. But even the Episcopal Church\u2019s approach to these issues is better than dealing with Ramey and his self-aggrandizing BS.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, we also have zero patience with those who fall for Ramey\u2019s claims that he\u2019s on a crusade to address racism, or that he\u2019s acting with integrity. Put directly, Ramey is a liar, as he is not \u2014 again not \u2014 being tried for heresy,<\/p>\n<p>Enough already.<\/p>\n<p>And forget about hiring a heretic; instead, say farewell to a fraud.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In news likely only of interest to church nerds, Virginia priest Cayce Ramey has appealed to the Title IV Court of Appeals over the decision to defrock him for refusing to serve or partake of the Holy Eucharist \u2014 a position he claims he takes over his opposition to the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14311,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9296.webp","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"HpYSUIrhNL\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/calling-bs-on-cayce-ramey-and-his-eucharistic-fast\/\">Say farewell to a fraud: reflections on Title IV and the lies of Cayce Ramey<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/calling-bs-on-cayce-ramey-and-his-eucharistic-fast\/embed\/#?secret=HpYSUIrhNL\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Say farewell to a fraud: reflections on Title IV and the lies of Cayce Ramey” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"HpYSUIrhNL\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","syncStatus":{"isSynced":false,"status":"none","error":"","message":"Not synced yet.","title":"Not synced"}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14297\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14297"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=14297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":14302,"date":"2024-12-01T15:33:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T20:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/?p=14302"},"modified":"2024-12-01T18:02:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-01T23:02:59","slug":"defending-christ-episcopal-church-a-call-for-accountability-and-transparency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/defending-christ-episcopal-church-a-call-for-accountability-and-transparency\/","title":{"rendered":"Defending Christ Episcopal Church: A call for accountability and transparency"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"docs-ml-promotion docs-ml-promotion-off-screen docs-ml-promotion-shown\" role=\"dialog\" aria-hidden=\"false\">\n<div class=\"docs-ml-promotion-content\">\n<div class=\"docs-ml-promotion-header\">\n<div class=\"docs-ml-icon docs-ml-promotion-app-icon\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.0625rem;\">This statement comes from a group of concerned Christians dedicated to upholding the integrity of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christchurchkennesaw.com\/\">Christ Episcopal Church<\/a> located at 1210 Wooten Lake Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA. We feel compelled to speak out in light of recent troubling developments involving the church’s rector, Father Marshall Benjamin Day.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"app-container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"doc-container\">\n<div class=\"doc\">\n<div class=\"doc-content\">\n<p>Our aim is to address serious allegations against Fr. Day, allegations which have shaken our congregation and threatened the well-being of our church community. Specifically, Fr. Day was under investigation for abuse related to an affair with a pregnant congregant. These allegations have raised deep concerns about the leadership within our church.<\/p>\n<p>Although the diocese has failed to take action, it is important to emphasize that we did not lie. We encourage the reader to decide for themselves whether Father Ben has committed any wrongdoing. The key questions remain: Was his wife ever a member of Christ Episcopal Church?\u00a0And does their sexual affair, which began while she was pregnant and engaged to another congregant, constitute a violation of Title IV?\u00a0These are critical issues that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness, as they have the potential to undermine the integrity of our church and jeopardize the safety of its members.<\/p>\n<p>With heavy hearts, we recognize the severity of these accusations, not just for those directly involved but for the broader church community. As members of Christ Episcopal Church, we cherish the trust placed in our leadership and the sanctity of our shared mission to spread the love of Christ. We are committed to telling the whole truth\u2014presented clearly and without embellishment\u2014about these events.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"h.7emyaq2a82gd\">Violations of Safe Church Guidelines and Title IV<\/h3>\n<p>These guidelines are published and advertised by the diocese, and it is through such representations that the church recruits new members and raises money. It is imperative that the church uphold the very values it advertises and enforces its own rules. Clergy are strictly prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with members of their congregation.\u00a0This conduct is a clear violation of Title IV, which sets the standards for clergy behavior within the Episcopal Church. Father Day, like all clergy, is required to complete Safe Church training, which explicitly prohibits sexual exploitation.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalatlanta.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Diocesan_Policies_Exploitation_Adults-1.pdf\">Diocesan Policies for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation of Adults<\/a>, any sexual relationship between a clergy member and a person with whom they have a pastoral relationship is considered exploitation. A pastoral relationship is defined as one between a clergy member and anyone who:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"lst-kix_l8jqcb7zqbjn-0 start\">\n<li>Attends a congregation or ministry setting where the clergy member serves, or<\/li>\n<li>Seeks spiritual guidance from the clergy member.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"h.fntlx76l9xwr\">Timeline of Events and Allegations<\/h3>\n<p>The timeline highlights a series of troubling events involving pregnant congregant Mallory Thagard Day\u00a0(then Hamilton), Father Ben Day, and allegations of misconduct, including Father Ben\u2019s affair with Mallory, which led to the breakup of her engagement. It is important to note that Mallory had joined the church and attended regularly with her fianc\u00e9 and children, further complicating the situation. These actions, in violation of Title IV, are compounded by child abuse reports and the eventual marriage of Father Ben to Mallory. However, their marriage does not erase the sins and violations of Title IV, as the misconduct remains a serious breach of the Episcopal Church\u2019s standards for clergy conduct.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spring 2022:<\/strong><br \/>\nMallory Thagard Hamilton (now Mallory Thagard Day) joins Christ Episcopal Church\u00a0while pregnant, bringing her three children and fianc\u00e9. The family quickly becomes known within the congregation, as children are an integral part of our community.<\/p>\n<p><strong>December 2022:<\/strong><br \/>\nMallory’s engagement is broken off, and she gives birth to her child. At the same time, a daughter who had been scheduled to participate in the church\u2019s Christmas pageant disappears and is never heard from again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Late 2022 – Early 2023:<\/strong><br \/>\nFr. Ben Day becomes romantically involved with Mallory, even though she was still pregnant. By January 2023, Fr. Day moves out of his residence located on church property and into Mallory\u2019s luxury home. It seems unlikely that their romantic relationship began just after her child\u2019s birth, but we can personally confirm that their relationship began while Mallory was still pregnant. Neighbors also reported seeing Fr. Ben frequently visiting Mallory at her home during this time.<\/p>\n<p>This affair undoubtedly contributed to the instability in Mallory\u2019s home, and during this period, police reports of child abuse surfaced, leading to one of the children being removed from her custody and placed with a relative out of state. The affair, combined with the resulting family turmoil, highlights the damaging impact of Fr. Ben\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fall 2023:<\/strong><br \/>\nFr. Ben Day and Mallory marry at Christ Episcopal Church\u00a0in Kennesaw, GA. We can personally confirm that Mallory, whom Fr. Day married, is the same individual who first joined the church under her previous name, Mallory Thagard Hamilton.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"h.vk975ozzr1e\">The Evidence<\/h3>\n<ol class=\"lst-kix_jf50q2dxv9ov-0 start\" start=\"1\">\n<li><strong>Photo of Fr. Ben and Mallory Thagard Day:<\/strong> While we acknowledge their marriage, it does not erase Fr. Day\u2019s misconduct, which remains a clear violation of Title IV. Allowing this marriage to absolve his actions would suggest that any clergy member who engages in abuse could simply marry and have their wrongdoing forgiven, which is unacceptable.\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_14304\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14304\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9235.png\" alt=\"Ben Day, perjuring priest\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9235.png 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9235-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9235-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14304\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ben Day, perjuring priest<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fb.watch\/wcDqjVLj8Y\/\">Church Service Video<\/a>\u00a0<strong>(April 2022):<\/strong> A blurry video shows Mallory attending church while pregnant with her fianc\u00e9. Several other videos from the same day clearly show her children and fianc\u00e9, which we personally witnessed.<div style=\"width: 426px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('video');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-14302-1\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ChristCK.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ChristCK.mp4\">https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ChristCK.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Church Newsletter\u00a0(May 2022):<\/strong> A newsletter written by Fr. Ben Day that welcomed Mallory into the church.\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_14305\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14305\" style=\"width: 496px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9236.png\" alt=\"Ben Day, perjuring priest\" width=\"496\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9236.png 496w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9236-300x265.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14305\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ben Day, perjuring priest<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong>Church Service Photo\u00a0(August 2022):<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q%3Dhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CECKennesaw\/posts\/pfbid0nN3TNW24s8uWtxKi2SN9HLpfh1sk1ahDgEhEwhHWcED6eqCNxG6mZYj3npikJABEl%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1733088597665543%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3rSVftKv9nDuSj7f13_Cnu&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1733088597674527&usg=AOvVaw009SqB6KK1r8lYP_VRMlsB\">\u00a0<\/a>A photo showing a pregnant Mallory (Father Ben\u2019s new wife) attending church with her then-fiance.\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_14306\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14306\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14306\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9237.png\" alt=\"Ben Day, perjuring priest\" width=\"768\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9237.png 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9237-300x195.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ben Day, perjuring priest<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li>Photos and Directory: Additional evidence includes a church directory with a photo of Mallory and her fianc\u00e9, as well as personal experiences of sharing meals with Mallory and her family at church.<\/li>\n<li>Email from Father Ben (May 2024): An email has been obtained in which Father Ben, during his failed campaign for local political office, responds to a concerned voter by denying that his wife was ever a member of Christ Episcopal Church. However, the evidence and eyewitness reports clearly prove otherwise. Laughably, Father Ben persists in the false claim that he has ever operated a political consulting firm\u2014 a claim thoroughly debunked by Anglican Watch, as detailed in their interim report: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q%3Dhttps:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/interim-report-atlanta-bishop-rob-wright-and-the-kennesaw-debacle\/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1733088597666011%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3Ha610WFs7vo9PcOJy_7bd&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1733088597674699&usg=AOvVaw0jKDDu0lfAqpZSxA9ag6QY\">https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/interim-report-atlanta-bishop-rob-wright-and-the-kennesaw-debacle\/<\/a>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_14307\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14307\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14307\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9239.png\" alt=\"Ben Day, perjuring priest\" width=\"768\" height=\"543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9239.png 768w, https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_9239-300x212.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ben Day, perjuring priest<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"h.5fk6w9dqu1m3\">Legal Proceedings and Court Cases<\/h3>\n<p>Beyond the abuse allegations, Fr. Ben Day was involved in a court case with the father of Mallory\u2019s child. The case was initiated by Fr. Day, accusing the father of sending him a lewd email. In the email, the father shared details of Mallory\u2019s sexual history with Fr. Day. While we do not believe that the email constitutes harassment, we do believe that Fr. Ben exploited this incident to deflect attention from his own misconduct and further conceal his affair with Mallory, a member of his congregation.<\/p>\n<p>In the context of Georgia\u2019s harassment law (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q%3Dhttps:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/georgia\/title-16\/chapter-11\/article-2\/section-16-11-39-1\/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1733088597666528%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2bIKfojKqi9MLt1PKgDcIg&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1733088597674873&usg=AOvVaw2Zt3jp5ZdN9QgiR6Fi2qVA\">Section 16-11-39.1<\/a>), the use of electronic communication for harassment or intimidation is prohibited. However, the legal case itself is distinct from the broader issue of Fr. Day\u2019s actions as a clergy member and his violation of Title IV.<\/p>\n<p>During a court hearing in Cobb County, Marietta, the judge remarked that if Mallory had been a member of the church, it would have significant legal ramifications.\u00a0Both Fr. Day and Mallory denied this under oath. However, we can personally attest that Mallory, along with her children and fianc\u00e9, were indeed members of Christ Episcopal Church. By denying this membership under oath, Fr. Day committed perjury.<\/p>\n<p>This false testimony has had serious consequences, leading to an innocent man facing criminal charges due to the deceit and misconduct of Fr. Day and Mallory.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"h.obelqew39w9s\">Title IV Review and the Diocese’s Inaction<\/h3>\n<p>We understand the need for due process in handling allegations of this nature, but it\u2019s essential that the church maintains transparency, integrity, and accountability throughout the process. Christ Episcopal Church\u00a0has always been a place of healing, and those values must be upheld, even during times of crisis.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the Diocese of Atlanta\u00a0has failed to hold Fr. Ben Day accountable for his actions, particularly his sexual misconduct in violation of Title IV. The evidence is clear that Fr. Ben’s wife was a member of the congregation before their marriage, and their relationship, which began while she was pregnant with another man\u2019s child and still a member of the church, constitutes a violation of church policy regarding clergy and sexual abuse. This lack of meaningful consequences only raises further questions about the leadership and oversight within the Diocese.<\/p>\n<p>The Diocese’s review panel statement, which found no wrongdoing, is deeply troubling. As Christians, we believe the effects of Fr. Ben\u2019s actions extend beyond the individual victims to the entire church community. We urge all faithful members, especially those following Anglican Watch, to carefully review the available evidence and consider whether the Diocese\u2019s decision truly serves the best interests of the church and its mission.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-top: max(60%,326px); height: 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; border: none; width: 100%; height: 100%; left: 0; right: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/e.issuu.com\/embed.html?backgroundColor=%231e73be&backgroundColorFullscreen=%231e73be&d=reference_panel_determination_to_complainant_eric_&hideIssuuLogo=true&showOtherPublicationsAsSuggestions=true&u=gracealexwatch\" sandbox=\"allow-top-navigation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation allow-downloads allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-modals allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-forms\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"h.859ws1jzlgl0\">A Call for Accountability<\/h3>\n<p>As members of Christ Episcopal Church, we remain unwavering in our commitment to holding church leadership accountable. While times of crisis can be difficult, we believe that transparency, accountability, and confronting wrongdoing are essential to preserving the integrity of our church. We will never stop working to reclaim our church from the grip of sin and deceit that you, Fr. Ben, and your wife, have brought into our community.<\/p>\n<p>We continue to pray for healing, justice, and restoration for all those affected by these events. We also ask for the prayers and support of our broader Christian community as we navigate this painful chapter together. Although the road ahead is difficult, we trust that, through God\u2019s guidance, our church will emerge stronger, more faithful, and more dedicated to its mission of love and service.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, we call for you to resign from the church and step down from your position as a priest altogether. It is clear that you are not suited for the priesthood, given your actions, which include lies, deceit, and sexual abuse in direct violation of\u00a0Title IV. Your betrayal of the trust placed in you has caused immeasurable harm.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, we know that you committed perjury to cover up your affair with the pregnant fianc\u00e9e of a congregant, and this act of dishonesty further undermines your credibility and integrity as a leader. You have shown a blatant disregard for the sacred responsibility of your position and for the welfare of the individuals you are meant to serve.<\/p>\n<p>The truth cannot be hidden, and your continued presence in the church only perpetuates the pain and damage that you have caused. We implore you to make the right decision for the future of our community and for your own soul. We will not rest until justice is served, and until our church is once again a place of healing, faith, and truth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This statement comes from a group of concerned Christians dedicated to upholding the integrity of Christ Episcopal Church located at 1210 Wooten Lake Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA. We feel compelled to speak out in light of recent troubling developments involving the church’s rector, Father Marshall Benjamin Day. Our aim is<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","sync_status":"none","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7],"tags":[1975,1859,1861],"series":[],"class_list":["post-14302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-news","tag-ben-day","tag-christ-church-kennesaw","tag-episcopal-diocese-of-atlanta"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_2430.jpeg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/feed\/podcast\/anglican-watch-unofficial-watchdog-of-the-episcopal-church","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"aqYEegdN8S\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/defending-christ-episcopal-church-a-call-for-accountability-and-transparency\/\">Defending Christ Episcopal Church: A call for accountability and transparency<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglicanwatch.com\/defending-christ-episcopal-church-a-call-for-accountability-and-transparency\/embed\/#?secret=aqYEegdN8S\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"“Defending Christ Episcopal Church: A call for accountability and transparency” — Anglican Watch\" data-secret=\"aqYEegdN8S\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! 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