clergy discipline

News

Today’s active shooter at Annunciation Catholic Church underscores dangers of false Episcopal claims of threatening behavior and domestic terrorism
ByAnglican Watch August 27, 2025November 2, 2025

Details are thin this morning about the active shooter at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. However, the situation underscores the dangers of fabricated claims of threatening behavior and domestic terrorism by Episcopal clergy. These dangers include: The risk that “crying wolf” will result in a delayed or ineffective law enforcement response to security…

Read More Today’s active shooter at Annunciation Catholic Church underscores dangers of false Episcopal claims of threatening behavior and domestic terrorism
Analysis | News | Resources

Catholic response to arrest of former priest stands in marked contrast to Episcopal cover-up of similar cases
ByAnglican Watch April 5, 2025July 25, 2025

Baltimore-area media recently reported on the arrest of former Roman Catholic priest William Mannion, who allegedly committed multiple acts of child sexual abuse from 1991 to 1994 prior to his laicization from the priesthood for unrelated reasons. Anglican Watch is reporting on the matter to illustrate the profound difference between the Catholic response to allegations…

Read More Catholic response to arrest of former priest stands in marked contrast to Episcopal cover-up of similar cases
Analysis | News

A dangerous trend emerges at the Disciplinary Board for Bishops
ByAnglican Watch January 16, 2025July 25, 2025

Anglican Watch has been following a host of Title IV cases involving bishops since Sean Rowe’s election, and we are experiencing a growing sense of alarm. Specifically, the Disciplinary Board for Bishops, which includes chair Nick Knisely, PB Sean Rowe, and intake officer Barb Kempf, has recently issued several decisions in which it has, de…

Read More A dangerous trend emerges at the Disciplinary Board for Bishops
Analysis | News

Anglican Watch predictions for 2025
ByAnglican Watch January 1, 2025February 14, 2025

It’s that time of year that we all love to hate: New Year’s Day, when everyone and their twin brother speculates about the coming year. So, Anglican Watch will add to the collective misery with our predictions for 2025 and the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion, with our usual emphasis on clergy discipline. Business as usual won’t…

Read More Anglican Watch predictions for 2025
News | Resources

Sean Rowe removes bishop Todd Ousley from all Title IV functions prior to Ousley’s departure later this year
ByAnglican Watch November 6, 2024July 25, 2025

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 departure later this year. Anglican…

Read More Sean Rowe removes bishop Todd Ousley from all Title IV functions prior to Ousley’s departure later this year
Resources

Presiding bishop Sean Rowe’s personnel decisions make us hopeful for the future
ByAnglican Watch November 5, 2024July 25, 2025

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, with an emphasis on clergy…

Read More Presiding bishop Sean Rowe’s personnel decisions make us hopeful for the future
News

General Convention approves Title IV clergy disciplinary changes, but more is needed
ByAnglican Watch July 19, 2024August 29, 2024

The recent Episcopal General Convention approved myriad changes to Title IV, the canons that establish a disciplinary process for clergy. Anglican Watch endorses these changes, but more is needed to make Title IV a safe process in which the Episcopal Church fulfills its promise to respect the dignity of every human being. Far more. So…

Read More General Convention approves Title IV clergy disciplinary changes, but more is needed
News

Singh complaints are the norm, not exception
ByAnglican Watch January 12, 2024June 22, 2024

Per the Episcopal News Service, the family of Bishop Singh is calling for an independent investigation of Bruce Curry and Todd Ousley over their purported mishandling of their complaints of abuse involving Singh. Unfortunately, the church is handling this case better than most. And, regrettably, it’s unlikely we will see any accountability. First, a disclaimer:…

Read More Singh complaints are the norm, not exception
Resources

Say its name, Episcopalians!
ByAnglican Watch January 1, 2024June 22, 2024

According to many faiths, there’s power in a name. We see that in pantheistic religions, where knowing the name of a God confers power. We see that in Christianity, where the Ten Commandments tell us not to take the name of God in vain. And we see it elsewhere. That begs the question: Why are…

Read More Say its name, Episcopalians!
News

Episcopal bishop Alan Gates and the Diocese of Massachusetts shrug off child rape
ByAnglican Watch December 22, 2023January 5, 2024

Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he…

Read More Episcopal bishop Alan Gates and the Diocese of Massachusetts shrug off child rape
News

Another Episcopal bishop suspended
ByAnglican Watch October 16, 2023January 5, 2024

Anglican Watch thus far has been unable to obtain additional information on this case. However, we are very glad to see that the Episcopal Church finally is beginning to take clergy discipline seriously. Meanwhile, we note that several corrupt bishops, notably including George Sumner, remain in office. Sumner’s violation of the canonical strictures against retaliation for…

Read More Another Episcopal bishop suspended
Analysis

PB Michael Curry’s legacy will be one of humiliation, failure and loss
ByAnglican Watch September 23, 2023October 6, 2023

While Anglican Watch differs from colleague David Virtue’s views on same-sex marriage, we heartily agree with other aspects of his assessment of Bishop Curry’s tenure. Too little substance, too much paper, zero accountability. We also recall a time when all were welcome in the church, not only those who think like us. PB MICHAEL CURRY’S LEGACY…

Read More PB Michael Curry’s legacy will be one of humiliation, failure and loss
News

Retired Oklahoma bishop identified as focus of presiding officer’s complaint amid calls for bishop accountability
ByAnglican Watch September 5, 2023September 28, 2023

Ed: We understand Ayala Harris’ reluctance to name names, but in cases like this, it is essential that we have the courage to identify those responsible. And while TEC rushes to care for its apparatchiks, we still see a lack of action on The Rev. Richard Loach, now under indictment for raping a child. We…

Read More Retired Oklahoma bishop identified as focus of presiding officer’s complaint amid calls for bishop accountability
Resources

When clergy have an affair
ByAnglican Watch September 4, 2023September 28, 2023

We can all agree that a priest who has an affair with a parishioner has committed abuse. But what about the priest who has an extramarital experience with someone not a parishioner? Is this ever okay? Anglican Watch believes the answer is no. Previous coverage The topic of clergy adultery is one we’ve covered previously. For…

Read More When clergy have an affair
Analysis

TEC has a ton of batsnot clergy. Why?
ByAnglican Watch August 28, 2023October 6, 2023

There’s an old saying that where you sit depends on where you stand. And while that probably is true for team members at Anglican Watch, we nonetheless feel obligated to ask the question: Why does TEC attract so many batsnot cray clergy? We’re thinking narcissists, sociopaths, abusers, alcoholics, and more. We don’t have answers. But in our…

Read More TEC has a ton of batsnot clergy. Why?
Analysis

False perceptions kill clergy discipline in Episcopal Church
ByAnglican Watch August 19, 2023August 30, 2023

A favorite topic of ours is clergy discipline in the Episcopal Church, particularly in the context of Title IV, the clergy disciplinary canons. In that regard, we consistently see four misperceptions among judicatories that undermine Title IV and, in turn, clergy discipline. Let’s explore those misperceptions. Title IV is the nuclear option Far too many…

Read More False perceptions kill clergy discipline in Episcopal Church
Resources

ACNA bishop Ruch goes to trial
ByAnglican Watch August 17, 2023August 30, 2023

From Anglican Ink The Bishop of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, the Rt. Rev. Stewart Ruch III, will stand trial before the ACNA’s Court for the Trial of a Bishop on charges he violated his ordination vows, abusing his office and failing to adhere to the church’s canons. The ACNA announced on 15 August…

Read More ACNA bishop Ruch goes to trial
Analysis

Time to ask Barb Kempf some tough questions, and other steps for improving clergy discipline in the Episcopal Church
ByAnglican Watch August 14, 2023January 8, 2024

Today’s post is about Title IV, the Episcopal clergy disciplinary canons. Specifically, what reasonable steps can we take to improve Title IV? For starters, let’s look at how Title IV functions today. Our take—far from unbiased—is that the best-managed cases rise to mediocrity. Those cases are few and far between, as most don’t even rise…

Read More Time to ask Barb Kempf some tough questions, and other steps for improving clergy discipline in the Episcopal Church
Resources

Check it out: A user’s guide to Title IV
ByAnglican Watch May 12, 2023July 17, 2023

Pestered by an Episcopal priest? Bullied by a bishop? Feeling down about your deacon? If so, it might be time to think about filing a Title IV clergy disciplinary complaint. A User’s Guide to Title IV, published by Anglican Watch, details what behavior is covered by Title IV, identifies factors to consider before filing a complaint, gives a…

Read More Check it out: A user’s guide to Title IV
News | Resources

Corrupt Episcopal bishop Alan Gates announces retirement
ByAnglican Watch May 10, 2023July 17, 2023

Alan Gates, the deeply corrupt Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts, has announced his retirement. In a letter posted on the diocesan website, Gates announced plans to retire at the end of 2024. Additionally, he has called for the election of his successor, and indicated that the Rt. Rev. Susan Gallagher will continue as…

Read More Corrupt Episcopal bishop Alan Gates announces retirement
News

Title IV clergy disciplinary complaints allege racism at CDSP and Trinity Wall Street
ByAnglican Watch April 7, 2023April 14, 2023

A recent study by the Episcopal Church identified nine patterns of systemic racism within the church, including tokenism and difficulty navigating power structures within the church. And recent multiple Title IV clergy disciplinary complaints involving the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) and Trinity Wall Street make clear that structural racism is alive and well, even at the…

Read More Title IV clergy disciplinary complaints allege racism at CDSP and Trinity Wall Street
Commentary | Resources

TEC falls further and further behind on safeguarding
ByAnglican Watch March 30, 2023April 13, 2023

The Episcopal Church is falling further and further behind in its efforts to prevent misconduct within the church. That in itself suggests the church is dying, for ensuring that church is a safe place for all persons is at the very heart of what it means to be a church.

Read More TEC falls further and further behind on safeguarding
News

Additional misconduct comes to light in Douglas Anderson Title IV case
ByAnglican Watch February 11, 2023April 14, 2023

Additional details continue to come to light regarding the Douglas Anderson Title IV case. These details include allegations of ongoing misconduct and bullying/shunning of members of the Church of the Advent who support gender equality. Among the details that recently emerged: We have confirmed that the victim of sexual harassment in Texarkana has documentation that Anderson lied…

Read More Additional misconduct comes to light in Douglas Anderson Title IV case
Commentary

The Church Pension Group and survivors — the final injury
ByAnglican Watch November 6, 2022April 5, 2023

There’s an often overlooked aspect to the Episcopal Church’s handling of clergy misconduct, and that is the role of its captive insurance carrier, the Church Pension Group, or CPG. As an Episcopal entity, you’d think CPG reflected the Way of Love, wouldn’t you? But far too often, you’d be wrong. Really wrong. So why do…

Read More The Church Pension Group and survivors — the final injury
Commentary

The voices cry out: A call for Episcopal church sexual misconduct report
ByAnglican Watch October 22, 2022January 24, 2023

Republished with permission from author Tom Ferguson, aka Crusty Old Dean aka COD. Original at https://crustyoldean.blogspot.com/ Anglican Watch endorses these recommendations, with one major addition. That addition is that we also adopt the spiritual abuse provisions now in place in many Catholic dioceses, thus making good on our commitment to respect the dignity of every human…

Read More The voices cry out: A call for Episcopal church sexual misconduct report

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