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The Episcopal Church proposes spending roughly $2 million annually on a new Title IV clergy disciplinary pilot. That’s a substantial investment in accountability. Unfortunately, the results we have seen thus far from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s office, particularly through intake officer the Rev. Barbara Kempf, … Read more
In December 2022, the adult sons of Episcopal Bishop Prince Singh told Presiding Bishop Michael Curry that their father had physically and emotionally abused them since childhood. Their mother also appealed to Curry, saying the family felt abandoned by the church. Singh, formerly bishop of … Read more
Two Title IV complaints against Easton Bishop Santosh Marray ended the way bishop cases usually end: no hearing, no findings, no explanation, and two official statements that don’t say the same thing. The Episcopal Church’s public record says the matters were “concluded with pastoral response.” … Read more
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is proposing a $10.2 million budget for 2027, with almost 42% going to staff compensation and benefits. Meanwhile, the diocese is increasing its reliance on investment income, anticipating declining parish assessments and acknowledging that it has yet to complete the … Read more
The Rev. Roger Haenke was deposed from the priesthood in September 2025, and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has closed the Title IV case against him. You would never know it from the diocese’s website, which is still announcing the investigation 14 months later … Read more
The Episcopal Church is preparing to launch a churchwide Title IV pilot intended to give dioceses greater expertise and reduce the burden of administering clergy disciplinary cases locally. The announced scope is narrower than a national Title IV system replacing diocesan disciplinary structures. According to … Read more
Every once in a while, we publish a story that takes on a life of its own. And so it is with our coverage of the looming financial problems facing the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Dean Winnie Varghese’s treatment of church employees. … Read more
In Memphis, five Episcopal congregations have become one, and three church buildings are being deconsecrated. The consolidation is a case study in what denominational decline looks like on the ground. The new body, St. Constance Episcopal Church, combines All Saints’, Emmanuel, Church of the Good … Read more
New York appeals court allows negligence claims — and a demand for punitive damages — to proceed against school in case alleging officials were warned about sexual abuse of a 13-year-old student. As if the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine did not already … Read more
Cathedral also plans $70,000 kitchen renovation at dean’s residence and elimination of two maintenance jobs as operating gap approaches $9.3 million As readers know, we are not exactly fans of Bishop Matthew Heyd and the Diocese of New York, particularly in light of the debacle … Read more
Anglican Watch has learned of a Title IV clergy disciplinary complaint against Episcopal priest Matthew Machowski, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove, Florida. As is often the case in Title IV situations, the Diocese made a hot mess of the complaint. We … Read more
Although the Episcopal Court of Review has not yet released a formal opinion, it unanimously upheld the recommendation to defrock priest Daniel McClain earlier today. The decision arises from a motion for partial summary judgment at the hearing panel level, which held that McClain’s admitted … Read more
Since our previous posts on Christ Church, Kennesaw, GA, rector Ben Day, and his alleged misconduct, including his self-professed violation of a court order prohibiting him from drinking, Anglican Watch has received numerous complaints about additional misconduct by Day. In multiple instances, complainants allege that … Read more
A former parishioner has filed a Title IV clergy disciplinary complaint against the Rev. Amy Moehnke, currently serving as priest locum tenens at Calvary Episcopal, located in Bastrop, Texas. The current complaint alleges that Moehnke retaliated against the parishioner for filing a previous Title IV … Read more
Anglican Watch has reiterated its call for the Title IV Intake Officer for Bishops, Barb Kempf, to resign. We made the request via email, which we sent directly to Kempf, with copies to Rebecca Wilson, the church’s chief of strategy, and Mary Kostel, who serves … Read more
Reprinted with permission from The Wartburg Watch. “People tend to regret not listening more than listening and tend to regret things they said more than things they didn’t say.” ― Kate Murphy, You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters The Roys Report posted … Read more
Hello everyone. Today’s post is shorter than most. It’s Friday, the weather is nice, and it’s been a long week for folks in AW land. So, today, we’re going to explore a baseline (and hopefully simple) question: What is the root cause of the problems … Read more
One thing church abuse bloggers quickly learn is that any effort within a faith community to operate without scrutiny is never a good sign. And so it is in Episcopal priest Mark Anderson’s divorce litigation, where he has filed a motion to seal just about … Read more
As we continue to investigate allegations of grooming by Episcopal priest Jonathan “Johnny Boy” Adams, we have learned of multiple instances in which Adams violated canonically mandated confidentiality during the course of the Title IV grooming complaint filed against him. Moreover, the Diocese of Virginia … Read more
One of the great things about being retired is having the time to ferret out misconduct in out-of-the-way places. And, since the weather is hot (and smoky) and folks here at AW don’t feel like going outside, we’ve had extra time on our hands, resulting … Read more
A source close to the matter tells Anglican Watch that Jonathan “Johnny Boy” Adams, rector of Trinity Upperville and an alleged pedophile, has resigned as rector and will be leaving the area. We have not yet been able to confirm the reports but believe them … Read more
Disclosure: Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti did not participate in the production of this post due to being a previous member of the Diocese of Virginia. He also is the complainant in a Title IV case against Episcopal priest Bob Malm, presently canonically resident in … Read more
Disclosure: Due to potential conflict of interest, Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti’s role in this post was limited to fact-checking. Anglican Watch is issuing an urgent warning about a possible pedophile at Trinity Episcopal Church, located in Upperville, Va. The warning follows reports from multiple … Read more
Disclosure: Anglican Watch is the complainant in the McClain Title IV case. On June 23, 2026, the Episcopal Court of Review heard oral arguments in the appeal of Episcopal priest Dan McClain, who is canonically resident in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Previously, a Title … Read more
A recent analysis by this publication of Title IV cases against both bishops and diocesan clergy revealed an almost universally broken and dysfunctional clergy disciplinary system in the Episcopal Church. Both complainants and respondents reported intense dissatisfaction with outcomes, with an overwhelming percentage of complainants … Read more
June is Pride Month, and for many, it’s a time to celebrate the rich diversity of God’s creation in all its forms. It’s also a time to push for growth, inclusion, and acceptance. As part of that, Anglican Watch believes it’s time for the Episcopal … Read more
The Episcopal Diocese of New York (DioNY) is again refusing to follow the express provisions of Title IV of the clergy disciplinary canons in a series of complaints filed against Carl Turner, the corrupt rector of St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue (STC). The Diocese’s decision … Read more
NEWS PROVIDED BY Anglican Watch March 21, 2026 ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 21, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church, today blasted the Episcopal Diocese of New York and Title IV intake officer the Rev. Alison Quin for refusing to … Read more
The recent arrest of the Very Rev. Aidan Everett Smith, dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh, underscores the importance of proactively identifying possible clergy disciplinary problems and potential mental health issues before they explode into public view. Smith, already on administrative leave for … Read more
There’s been an appeal filed by the plaintiff in the ongoing litigation resulting from the perjurious claims made by Episcopal priest Will Bouvel against former parishioner and retired attorney David Duggan in order to secure an Emergency No-Stalking Order of Protection (“ENSOP”). The suit, filed … Read more