Following additional allegations of adultery, Anglican Watch calls on Episcopal priest Matthew Machowski to resign holy orders

Anglican Watch is now calling on Episcopal priest Matthew Machowski to resign from holy orders. Machowski, openly gay, allegedly engaged in dozens of instances of extramarital sexual conduct with random partners while married to another man. The call for Machowski’s resignation follows the receipt of additional allegations about Machowski’s inappropriate conduct.

Machowski is the rector of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove, Florida.

“We endorse marriage equality, including for clergy,” says Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti.

“That said, the Episcopal Church defines marriage as a monogamous, lifelong commitment, ‘for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death.’

“Thus, while we believe that Machowski will attempt to argue that he signed up for an ‘open marriage,’ the reality is that he does not get to redefine the meaning of the word. We expect that Machowski and all Episcopal clergy who are married will honor their marriage vows and not play silly word games,” Bonetti continues.

“We also want to be clear: It does not matter how nice people may think Machowski is, how committed to inclusion, or any other factor. No matter what excuses Machowski and others may make, we believe the allegations in question are credible. If that is the case, Machowski has broken a sacred vow and should no longer be a priest.

“We therefore call on Machowski to avoid causing further damage to his own reputation, and that of the church, by resigning holy orders, effective immediately.

“Alternatively, if Machowski claims these allegations are not accurate, he is welcome to respond to our earlier attempts to contact him and explain his conduct,” Bonetti concludes.