Anglican Watch — Discussing Change & Abuse - Discussing abuse, abusive churches, and change.

Prominent Episcopal Family and Parish Linked to Torture

Some time ago, Pro Publica and other investigative publications did an expose of the companies behind the CIA’s program of “enhanced interrogation techniques.” These techniques, including waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and more, are regarded by many as torture and violations of international law. These practices have been condemned by the Episcopal Church, with the Episcopal Peace Foundation calling for criminal charges… Read More »

Breaking News: IRS Involved in St. Paul’s Montvale Situation

An alleged reimbursement check, just shy of the amount requiring IRS reporting

Anglican Watch has confirmed from sources close to the matter that the IRS has received a written complaint and documentation of questionable practices on the part of Beth Abramson and Jeff Piatt during their time with St. Paul’s Montvale. The news follows the church’s annual episcopal visitation, in which the bishop of Newark joined the parish. The formal IRS… Read More »

Op-ed: Bishop Todd Ousley Needs to be Fired. Now.

Delegates to General Convention from Western and Eastern Michigan have asked for a review of the Office of Pastoral Development and its role in Title IV, particularly for bishops. The sharply worded request has it genesis in the dismal handling of the disciplinary case against The Rt. Rev. Whayne Hougland Jr., who had an extramarital affair. Todd Ousley,… Read More »

Little-Known Episcopal Study Reveals Widespread LGBTQ Abuse

The Episcopal Church Abuses LGBTQ Persons

You have to hand it to the Episcopal Church: it may be a tiny denomination, but it generates heroic volumes of paper. Mountains. Heaps. Rivers of paper. But buried deep within this year’s Blue Book are the results of a survey on abuse towards LGBTQ+ persons that is both alarming and appalling. The study is part of an effort… Read More »

Spotlight on Abuse: Episcopal Dorm Master Paul Wilson

In April 2019, Paul Wilson, a dorm master at St. Albans School at Washington National Cathedral from 2007 to 2015, pled guilty in Virginia to a single criminal count of interstate transportation of child pornography between Washington and Virginia. He was sentenced in July 2019 to six years in prison after admitting that he downloaded thousands of explicit… Read More »

Spotlight on Abuse: Episcopal Priest Francis Alan Papworth

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and All Saints Episcopal Church in Chula Vista CA have been sued over allegations of sexual abuse by the late Francis Alan Papworth. Papworth previously served as rector of the parish and allegedly abused the plaintiff, then a teenager, from 1974-1975. Papworth was arrested in 1986 and served four years in prison… Read More »

Still More Allegations Emerge About Jeff Piatt and Montvale Landscaping

Earlier today, Anglican Watch learned that a Sarbane-Oxley whistleblower complaint has been made to banking officials about questionable financial activity on the part of Jeff Piatt, Beth Abramson, Montvale Landscaping, and others connected with the group. Under Sarbanes-Oxley, publicly traded companies must take action in the event of potentially illegal activity. While Montvale Landscaping is not a publicly traded company,… Read More »

Additional Questions Arise About Montvale Landscaping Finances

Apparently, working in landscaping is a pretty good gig. In fact, cutting grass and performing other landscaping services as an employee is downright lucrative. At least, that’s the conclusion one comes to when looking at Montvale Landscaping’s federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan data. Per public records, Montvale Landscaping obtained a $437,500 PPP loan in 2020. Approved on… Read More »

Spotlight on Abuse: Episcopal Youth Minister James Lilly

James Lilly, a transgender youth minister at several Episcopal churches, including Christ Episcopal Church in Bluefield WV, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse. The plea was the result of an agreement with prosecutors, in which 28 accounts were dropped. Citing a lack of remorse and attempts to discredit a witness, Lilly was sentenced to between 2… Read More »

Spotlight on Abuse: Episcopal Church Volunteer Timothy Taffe

Timothy Taffe, a volunteer at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, located in Plantation FL, was convicted on federal charges of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Taffe, who served as a church greeter, began aggressively contacting the youth after meeting her at a church game night. The youth notified family members and allowed police to take… Read More »