Years ago, I read a book on how to be popular. It had some unfortunate reference points, including trading on gender stereotypes. Boys should be masculine and like sports. Girls should be feminine and like cooking and sewing. But it had some good ideas too, including some that apply, or should apply, to The Episcopal Church. Like, “Check… Read More »
It’s no secret that Anglican Watch tends to focus on the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia (DioVa). But it’s not because our editor lives in the diocese. Nor is it because of his negative experiences with the diocese. Instead, it’s because the sheer size of the diocese makes it a bellwether for the larger denomination and, in the words of banking… Read More »
Full disclosure: Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti is a former member of Grace Episcopal and has written extensively about his negative experiences with the parish. He presently is in litigation against former rector Bob Malm. Anglican Watch has learned that the Rev. Fanny Belanger, former associate rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria Va., abruptly resigned from the position… Read More »
Anglican Watch recently obtained email records between Montvale mayor Mike Ghassali and various people, including the St. Paul’s dissidents. As we expected, they document several things: Steve Hopper lied about the meeting between Mayor Ghassali and Pastor Jill. After seeing Hopper’s dishonest e-mail, Mayor Ghassali busted Hopper for his lies, telling Hopper not to reference him in future emails.… Read More »
Earlier today, the Episcopal Survivors Network, a national advocacy group formed by victims of abuse in the Episcopal Church, issued a second statement about St. Paul’s Alexandria and the church’s refusal to condemn torture: St. Paul’s Alexandria continues to ignore issue ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Episcopal Survivors Network (ESN) today condemned the continuing unwillingness of St. Paul’s Episcopal,… Read More »
On July 1, Anglican Watch broke the news that a prominent Episcopal family, the Ayres, appear to be at the heart of the “enhanced interrogation” program that was a key component of the post 9-11 “War on Terror.” Shortly after the news broke, the Ayres were no longer seen attending services at their church, St. Paul’s, in Old Town Alexandria,… Read More »
Anglican Watch has learned from well-placed sources that a member of the dissident faction has put out feelers to members of St. Paul’s parish in Montvale, N.J., seeking an end to the ongoing investigation into past financial activity at the parish. Gene Muller, a previous member of the church and former vestry member, allegedly has contacted current church members… Read More »
Following our post yesterday about Russell Miller’s spurious lawsuit against St. Paul’s Montvale, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, and various related individuals, Anglican Watch further investigated Miller’s claims. Following is additional context for Miller’s lawsuit. We also reflect on Miller’s claims and his conduct. Specifically, we believe Miller to be disingenuous, dishonest, and manipulative — to put it kindly. As… Read More »
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt. — Unknown Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. — Proverbs 17:28 NIV One of the things about publishing a discernment blog like Anglican Watch is that humor is rarely part of things.… Read More »
Local newspapers report that two officials in the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti have been arrested for allegedly using church funds and aid shipments to bring weapons into the country. The news follows the interception by Haitian customs officials of four containers destined for the diocese containing 18 Russian AK-47 rifles, an M4 carbine and an Israeli Galil assault rifle,… Read More »
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, one of the original dioceses of the Episcopal Church, is the largest domestic diocese in the denomination. As such, its fate is inextricably linked with that of the larger church and serves as a bellwether for the future. And the recent bishop search and the challenges the diocese experienced suggest a grim future… Read More »
Sources close to the matter tell Anglican Watch that the court hearing on criminal charges involving Jeff Piatt and other former St. Paul’s Montvale members has been continued until September 28. The charges filed allegedly include defiant trespass. Anglican Watch believes that the news may indicate that the defendants are planning to file pleadings in the matter. However, as Jeff Piatt… Read More »
The Episcopal Survivors Network, which shares several staffers with this publication, today issued the following press release regarding the outrageous conduct on the part of Bishop Susan Goff, Title IV intake officer the Rev. Sven van Baars, and other diocesan officials in responding to allegations of adultery by the Rev. Dr. Tom Simmons, rector of St. Peter’s in… Read More »
By Dr. Brian Burge, used with permission. Original at https://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2022/7/27/and-this-just-in-the-episcopal-church-gets-more-sobering-news-from-the-book-of-numbers My very first experience with The Episcopal Church (TEC) was on a youth group mission trip to Huntsville, Ala. We were with a group called World Changers, which was an evangelical organization that helped organize free labor from young people for individuals who did not have the ability… Read More »
The Episcopal Survivors Network, which shares several team members with this publication, today sent out a press release on the connection between St. Paul’s Alexandria and so-called enhanced interrogation techniques. The latter, considered torture by many, were deployed as part of the so-called war on terror. The release omitted mention of sexual abuse of prisoners, which may or… Read More »
You know things have gotten bad when the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia tacitly approves of adultery. And so it is with allegations that The Rev. Dr. Tom Simmons, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal in Purcellville, himself married to Tait North Simmons (daughter of Iran-Contra figure Ollie North), has committed adultery with the wife of Tom K. a member of Warrenton Presbyterian. Below, we… Read More »
LGBTQ advocates have announced their opposition to plans to hold the consecration of The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, located in Henrico, Virginia. The event, set for December 3, 2022 at 11 a.m., will include multiple Episcopal bishops, dignitaries, and church members. During the service, Episcopal bishops will continue the ancient tradition of… Read More »
U.S. national media are reporting that conservative Florida governor Ron DeSantis flew two planeloads of Venezuelan immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard in a publicity stunt. The move, which was not announced ahead of time, resulted in a scramble to care for these individuals. Among those helping are St. Andrew’s Episcopal, which can be found online at http://standrewsmv.org/. The church… Read More »
According to local media reports, the suspension of Episcopal priest the Rev. Daniel McClain has been reversed by a church disciplinary panel. McClain previously was suspended by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio after allegations emerged in divorce proceedings that he abused his wife. The reversal was implemented by a Title IV disciplinary conference panel, which is an… Read More »
In memory of Queen Elizabeth II, head of the Church of England.