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
Continue readingUnofficial watchdog of the episcopal church and others
Busted: Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and Rob Morpeth cover up child rape by Episcopal priest John Cruse
It’s 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
Continue readingSafeguarding bishops apologise to survivors following Archbishop’s speech
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’s speech in the House of Lords. We write after watching Archbishop Justin’s farewell speech in the House of Lords yesterday. We have heard from
Continue readingSay farewell to a fraud: reflections on Title IV and the lies of Cayce Ramey
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 — a position he claims he takes over his opposition to the
Continue readingDefending Christ Episcopal Church: A call for accountability and transparency
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
Continue readingSt. Paul’s Dayton cuts Duplicitous Dan loose
Since Anglican Watch began covering the debacle of Duplicitous Dan McClain as rector of St. Paul’s, Dayton, one of the arguments pushed by his flying monkeys and fellow narcissists is that Dan actually is a great choice as rector, and any issues are the result of acrimony related to his divorce. However,
Continue readingThe four bishops under pressure to follow Welby and resign
Senior Church leaders, who are still in post, are accused in Makin review of being aware of allegations against John Smyth before 2017 By Janet Eastham Acting Religious and Social Affairs Editor. Fiona Parker THE TELEGRAPH 13 November 2024 PHOTO: The Rev Martin Seeley, the Rev Stephen Conway, the Most
Continue readingPriest faces fraud allegations at Diocese of Dallas parish, resigns from Nashotah House board
[Episcopal News Service] A priest in the Diocese of Dallas who, until recently, served as chair of the Nashotah House Theological Seminary’s board of directors, has been placed on administrative leave from his parish duties to face a disciplinary case alleging mismanagement of parish finances and fraud.The Rev. Edward Monk,
Continue readingCorruption in the Church of Canada: An Anglican, “Dear Acting Primate”
Dear Acting Primate, I have read your statement following the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and your statement that the Anglican Church of Canada is committed to continuing the work needed to make it a safe place for all. I have a friend and colleague who is in ordained
Continue readingChurch News flags Welby lie, identifies other CoE bishops complicit in CoE coverup
Earlier today, the Church of England’s Church News, published an excellent synopsis of the Makin Report, which revealed an ongoing cover-up of the abuse of more than 100 boys by the late John Smyth. The report flags multiple bishops beyond Welby complicit in the cover-up, and flags yet another lie
Continue readingChurches sit silent as pedophiles circle the Trump cabinet
Anglican Watch has long strived to avoid politics despite our facially obvious progressive bent. We also welcome and respect all political views, recognizing that the Kingdom of God is not reserved for any one group, and if it were, we’d probably be the last to know. That said, we believe
Continue readingAn open letter to survivors of abuse – Bishop Holcomb & Lindsey Holcomb
Dear Survivors of Abuse, News of abuse can stir up echoes of past wounds, drawing painful memories to the forefront for survivors. We understand that this painful remembering can bring feelings of powerlessness and a sense of being overwhelmed. With this in mind, we write to offer care and comfort,
Continue readingBREAKING: Easton bishop Santosh Marray resigns amidst Title IV complaints of abusive behavior towards LGBTQ+ clergy
Diocese of Easton bishop Santosh Marray, the subject of multiple Title IV complaints, announced his resignation earlier today, effective in 2026. He served previously in the Seychelles. Marray is the subject of multiple Title IV complaints, alleging abusive behavior and inappropriate comments towards LGBTQ+ clergy. Additionally, he allegedly violated mandatory
Continue readingBREAKING: Archbishop Welby resigns
London — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, first among equals in the Anglican Communion, has announced his resignation. The move comes soon after release of a damning report that shows how Welby and other church officials repeatedly ignored, covered up, and brushed off allegations of abuse by the late John
Continue readingUpdate on Tenth Presbyterian: Alleged abuser and rape cover-up guy Bruce McDowell remains welcome, preaches at church
In matters of church abuse, we can loosely organize perpetrators into two categories: Those who actively abuse others and those who refuse to act to end abuse. In that regard, Anglican Watch is deeply concerned that Bruce McDowell, a former minister at Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian, recently preached at the church,
Continue readingSean Rowe removes bishop Todd Ousley from all Title IV functions prior to Ousley’s departure later this year
On a day when many are reflecting on issues of organizational and collective integrity, there is good news from within the Episcopal Church. Specifically, incoming Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has removed corrupt Bishop Todd Ousley from all involvement in the Title IV process for bishops as a precursor to Ousley’s
Continue readingPresiding bishop Sean Rowe’s personnel decisions make us hopeful for the future
On November 2, 2024, the Episcopal Church installed Bishop Sean Rowe for a nine-year term as the denomination’s presiding bishop. Shortly afterward, Rowe made a series of personnel and related announcements, which Anglican Watch believes portend good news for the church. This post discusses these announcements and several related topics,
Continue readingEpiscopal priest Michael Greene pleads guilty in plea deal
Michael Greene, the 50-year-old rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Albany, has pleaded guilty to a non-criminal charge of trespassing, shortly before trial was set to begin for charges of criminal mischief. Under the previous charges, Greene could have faced 15 days in jail as well as financial penalties.
Continue readingStop the BS: Anne Turner’s letter to the parish is “a bunch of trash”
Editor Eric Bonetti is out this week, continuing plans to donate a kidney. Our deputy editor is in charge and wrote this article. Someone recently asked me why I haven’t posted much on Anglican Watch lately. I don’t really know the answer to that question, but a big part of
Continue readingSad news — the passing of Joy Stevenson
Anglican Watch notes with sadness the passing of Virginia bishop Mark Stevenson’s beloved wife Joy, who passed yesterday after a lengthy illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stevenson and those he loves. May Joy rest in peace and rise in glory, and the peace of God that passes all understanding
Continue readingAcross the church from ghost to ghost
Every evening, as night falls and darkness spreads its long, icy fingers across the land, silence descends like a pall upon the cathedrals, churches and graveyards of The Episcopal Church. Buildings that, only a few hours earlier, were bustling and full and life, stand empty in the dark. Or do
Continue readingOpinion: Anne Turner, Ted Gulick, Satan, and the sermon from hell
This is another late-breaking opinion piece from your pal, Stinkbomb, who had the misfortune of watching the Celebration of a Renewed Ministry at Grace Episcopal Alexandria last night, which involved Ted Gulick, who officiated, and Anne Turner, who flung holy water on everyone there but herself. Editor Eric Bonetti is
Continue readingEpic fail: Episcopal Diocese of Alabama continues to do as little as possible, as late as possible, amidst allegations of child rape by priest Richard Losch
Anglican Watch has repeatedly covered the allegations of child rape involving Episcopal priest Richard Losch, who is canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. We have received updated information on the case. As we previously reported, subsequent to our initial reports, Massachusetts indicted Losch earlier this year. The criminal
Continue readingFurther reflections on the return of adulterous Anne Turner to ministry
The old saying about the devil being in the details is often true. And it’s never as true as when we consider proposals to redeem a corrupt clergyperson like Anne Turner, whom the Diocese of Virginia suspended a year ago for adultery from her position as rector of Grace Episcopal
Continue readingSan Antonio-based True Vision Church, a member of the SBC, has been ignoring sex abuser Corey Mobley for more than a decade. How does that work?
For many years, there has been a long-simmering scandal involving the US military and its reluctance to address sexual harassment and assault against women connected to the armed forces. Similarly, the debacle of the Southern Baptist Convention and its refusal to take abuse seriously continues, even as the denomination talks
Continue readingDiocese of Atlanta declines to address allegations of abuse and perjury against Episcopal priest Ben Day
In a decision released earlier today, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta declined to act in a Title IV case against Ben Day, the rector of Christ Church, Kennesaw, GA. At issue is that various parties directly injured by Day’s alleged misconduct have declined to testify in the matter. While we
Continue readingEpiscopal priests Will Bouvel and Walter Smedley sued for alleged civil conspiracy and civil rights violations
The long-simmering conflict involving an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Chicago, Will Bouvel, and his alleged perjury directed at a conservative church member, attorney David Duggan, has gone to litigation with mixed results. The legal action follows years of failed efforts by Duggan to obtain redress through the denomination’s
Continue readingThe Falls Church releases report on church’s complicity with slavery
The Falls Church (TFC), one of the earliest Episcopal Churches in the US, recently released a study of the church’s complicity in slavery, including a series of recommendations to address the issue in the future. The recommendations in the report comprise: Speak the truth about TFC’s ties to slavery Seek
Continue readingBishop Susan Brown Snook Title IV case denied, goes up on appeal
An Episcopal parish in the Diocese of San Diego has filed a Title IV appeal following the dismissal of their complaint against Bishop Susan Brown Snook (“Bishop Susan”) by the national church. Anglican Watch remains deeply concerned about the case, including Bishop Susan’s failure to resolve the parish’s underlying concerns of
Continue readingSpotting a predator: does this checklist apply to your deacon, priest, or bishop?
Over the years, one of our most popular posts has been the reprint of the late Danni Moss’ article about serial bullies. Regrettably, a high percentage of clergy fit the bill, with one expert we consulted estimating that fully a third of clergy are serial bullies, or predators. A new
Continue readingUpdate: Episcopal priest Dan McClain
Previously, we reported on the ongoing saga of Episcopal priest Daniel McClain, rector-elect of St. Paul’s, Dayton, which covers a wide array of issues, including living with another woman while still married to his wife, his abusive conduct toward parishioners and his alleged misuse of church funds, resulting in our
Continue readingChristian nationalist pastor Joel Webbon wants to ‘publicly execute a few women who have lied’
Right Wing Watch, an online publication of the non-profit advocacy group People For, reports that Austin, TX-based Pastor Joel Webbon is advocating public execution of women who falsely report being sexually assaulted, adding that a few such killings would quickly put an end to the #MeToo movement. Webbon made his
Continue readingNew Diocese of Susquehanna could see two more dioceses reunite in 2024
On October 19, 2024, representatives and clergy of the Diocese of Bethlehem, and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, will gather at State College, PA in an agreed upon joint convention of both dioceses. On the agenda is a proposal that the two dioceses re-unite and become one after 100 years
Continue readingBishop Marc Andrus suspended, move illustrates TEC’s dated approach to ethics and clergy discipline
Diocesan officials announced earlier today that former Diocese of California bishop Marc Andrus has been suspended from ministry as a result of allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an adult while serving as bishop diocesan. The move illustrates the denomination’s dated approach to ethics and clergy discipline. The suspension was
Continue readingFlurry of lawsuits hits LDS church
One of our favorite sister publications is Floodlit.org, which covers abuse in the Latter-day Saint (LDS) denomination. Floodlit does a wonderful job in covering issues church that uses its wealth and power to cover-up abuse, even as it talks a good game. Candidly, although no one here is LDS, we
Continue readingGrace Episcopal Alexandria plans to bring back adulterous liar Anne Turner as rector. That’s a problem.
Disclosure: Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti is a former member of Grace Episcopal Church. Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria, VA, has invited rector Anne Turner to return to ministry following the Diocese of Virginia’s suspension of her for adultery. While Diocesan officials have approved the decision, Anglican Watch believes it is unwise
Continue readingTop officers of the Episcopal Church continue to ignore sexual harassment and retaliation by Bishop George Sumner
More than two years ago, Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti and another individual filed Title IV clergy disciplinary complaints against Dallas bishop George Sumner. The original complaint filed by Bonetti was received by Bishop Todd Ousley, then the national intake officer for bishops, via email, who acknowledged receipt of the complaint. When
Continue readingSpotlight on abuse: Episcopal priest Nicholas Szobota, embezzler
In early 2024, Episcopal priest Nicholas Szobota, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Colonial Beach, Virginia, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of embezzlement, one misdemeanor account of embezzlement, and two felony counts of using a computer to commit embezzlement. Victims include St. Mary’s and the Colonial Beach Volunteer
Continue readingTexas police arrest two Episcopal school officials for failing to report child sexual abuse. We applaud.
These days, there’s not much coming out of Texas that we like. But local Texas officials got it right when they arrested a former teacher and the Head of School at St. John’s Episcopal School in Abilene. Local media report that last July police arrested former St. John’s teacher Kelsey Alexander and Head
Continue readingGuilty by reason of insanity: SBC plans to sell HQ, sheds members due to abuse but denies there’s an issue. Sounds painfully familiar.
The Episcopal Church is not the only denomination in which corrupt responses to abuse are causing financial and membership declines. Indeed, in a recent announcement, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) shared plans to sell its Nashville-based world headquarters following massive expenditures due to decades of ignoring abuse, silencing victims, resisting
Continue readingCorruption boils over in Tennessee: Nashville district attorney Glen Funk routinely violates federal law, constitutional rights
According to local media, Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk routinely violates constitutional rights by secretly recording meetings between defendants and their attorneys, as well as other visitors to Funk’s offices. The reports are based on a scathing Tennessee comptroller’s office report, which was developed in conjunction with the Tennessee
Continue readingDo child sex offenders belong in church even if they are repentant?
The Tycho Supernova – NASA Reprinted with permission from The Wartburg Watch. Original here. Should be required reading for Bishop Lucinda Ashby and her minions at the Diocese of El Camino Real — and everyone else who thinks that having a sex offender policy is adequate to protect minors and
Continue readingTennessee state documents reveal incompetence, corruption in death of Grant Solomon
We weren’t planning on a post today, as it’s a grey, rainy Monday morning. But this image of an email between Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Governor Bill Lee about the death of Grant Solomon crossed our desks this morning, and it’s worth covering. The Gallatin goofy loop At
Continue readingThe Episcopal Church says it welcomes LGBTQ+ persons. The in-person guest list at the upcoming investiture of the presiding bishop says otherwise
The Episcopal Church has announced a very limited number of in-person attendees for the investiture of incoming presiding bishop Sean Rowe, set for November 2 and held in the 129-seat Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City. Touted as including “diverse representation from
Continue readingApologists for Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian underscore church’s ethical bankruptcy
Not surprisingly, Anglican Watch gets a lot of emails. These emails run the gamut, from tips about abusive conduct to people with needs we cannot address to folks trying to threaten us into taking down adverse information. In fact, there are so many we cannot hope to answer them all. But there
Continue readingFormer Anglican priest, pedophile David Valencia, resurfaces in Florida
David Valencia, a former Anglican priest who was sentenced to prison and required to register as a sex offender following a conviction for sexually assaulting a teenaged girl, has resurfaced in Florida. Sources tell Anglican Watch that Valencia moved to Florida from Ligonier, PA, after local residents realized that he was
Continue readingCesspool Grace Chapel Liepers Fork plans re-brand in an effort to move past its dismal reputation
Ever work at an organization in crisis? A place where things are so bad that the only thing to do is to start over? If so, you’ll feel a sense of déjà vu when you learn that sources close to the matter tell Anglican Watch that Grace Chapel, located in
Continue readingGrace Chapel and Narrow Gate may have ties to Nashville-based sex shop through local politician
Narrow Gate is a Tennessee-based, evangelical wilderness program ministry that works with young men 18 – 25 who are seeking to “Discover a Life That Matters.” But the group’s slogan, “Identity. Passion. Purpose.,” took on a whole new meaning when we recently learned that the organization is hosting an event celebrating
Continue readingThe Buzz: News we’re working on
As we move into fall, there are several stories Anglican Watch is working on. We expect a major breaking story, possibly in the next few days, involving a key religious leader outside the Episcopal Church. Stay tuned! September 10 marks the start of the Dan McClain divorce trial, which we likely
Continue readingCourt’s Error Puts SBC’s Culture of Cruelty on Display….and it’s about more than Paige Patterson
The following is reprinted by permission from Christa Brown’s excellent publication, In Solidarity. A victim of abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention, Brown has been a forerunner in the drive for accountability. She is the author of Baptistland: A Memoir of Abuse, Betrayal, and Transformation. ### The Texas Supreme Court erroneously released
Continue readingTennessee newspaper publishes Hale manifesto. Anglican Watch reiterates demand that Covenant repent of criminal conduct
The Tennessee Star has released a PDF of one of Covenant shooter Audrey Hale’s journals, following lengthy efforts by victims’ families to prevent publication. The document, which we post below, is in places crude and graphic, while failing to answer many of the questions around the shooting, including whether Hale
Continue readingThe truth matters: Letter disproves Bishop Lucinda Ashby’s claims about registered sex offender
TLD: It’s time for Bishop Lucinda Ashby and ECR Director of Communications Carole Bartolini to tender their resignations As the scandal grows over Episcopal Bishop Lucinda Ashby’s handling of a registered sex offender in her diocese, Anglican Watch is increasingly concerned about the Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR) and its misleading
Continue readingDon’t like Title IV?
Bishop Lucinda Ashby tries to obfuscate the truth about her handling of registered sex offender within the diocese
Media today responded to reports, first covered on Anglican Watch, that Bishop Lucinda Ashby and the Diocese of El Camino Real mishandled the presence of a registered sex offender at a church within the Diocese. Anglican Watch stands by its reporting and reiterates that both the Diocese and Ashby failed
Continue readingWhy is Phil Williams protecting Aaron Solomon?
The following is reprinted with permission from friend Shannon Ashley’s wonderful SubStack publication, The Truth Hurts. Please consider supporting Shannon, a single mother who is struggling with a variety of health challenges. She is a dear and loyal friend. Apropos Phil Williams and his claim that Angie Solomon is “crazy,”
Continue readingUpdate: Bishop Susan Brown Snook Title IV complaint dismissed, appeal pending
Recently, we covered the Title IV clergy disciplinary complaint filed against San Diego Bishop Susan Brown Snook. Today’s post is an update on that situation. Sources close to the matter tell Anglican Watch that the intake officer for bishops, the Rev. Barb Kempf, dismissed the matter. An appeal appears imminent. But there’s
Continue readingTitle IV clergy disciplinary complaint filed against Episcopal Bishop Susan Brown Snook in sexual harassment case
Anglican Watch has received a copy of a Title IV complaint filed with the national church against Bishop Susan Brown Snook (“Bishop Susan” or “Snook”) of the Diocese of San Diego. The complaint, filed by leaders of a parish in her diocese, alleges a variety of actions by Snook that have:
Continue readingAnglican Watch condemns Bishop Lucinda Ashby for refusal to alert churches to registered sex offender in her diocese
In its response to a recent article in the Christian Post about its bungled response to a child sexual predator, the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real and Bishop Lucinda Ashby again demonstrated a lack of integrity and accountability on issues involving the presence of a registered sex offender at one or more
Continue readingLight and darkness — and censorship
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality. Desmond Tutu If an elephant has its foot
Continue readingThe Episcopal Church needs to take criminal conduct by clergy seriously
It’s long been a fundamental tenet within private companies that illegal conduct by an employee can and should result in immediate termination. Yet the Episcopal Church, which far too often treats Title IV, the clergy disciplinary canon, as the only solution to clergy misconduct, almost invariably ignores criminal conduct and
Continue readingReynoldsburg City Schools incompetent on issues of child safety. So, it’s time for superintendent Dr. Tracy Reed to resign
Recently, Anglican Watch passed along to Reynoldsburg City Schools our profound concerns about the possibility that Dan McClain will teach in the schools. The response, while unsurprising, illustrates profound problems with the school system and Dr. Tracy Reed, the school system superintendent. To be clear, we were careful to flag the fact
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