Concerns of Integrity Cloud Anglican Church Trial
The trial involving Bishop Stewart Ruch III of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has faced allegations of compromised integrity. A member of the prosecution team claims that the court’s proceedings have been severely undermined. Bishop Ruch is under scrutiny for allegedly mishandling reports of sexual and spiritual abuse in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest.
Prosecutor’s Accusations
Deputy Prosecutor Rachel Thebeau voiced her concerns in a letter addressed to the members of the ACNA, stating that “very important information is being withheld from you by the Court, the Archbishop, and the Archbishop’s staff.” She alleged that a court member, with the aid of the Archbishop’s staff, acted in ways that compromised the court’s impartiality. This included unauthorized access to some of her Dropbox folders.
Impact on Proceedings
Thebeau criticized the inclusion of incomplete information by a court member, which she claims led to “damaging insinuations” and allowed Bishop Ruch to sidetrack the core issues. Her letter expressed deep disappointment in the response of church officials, implying a significant lack of accountability.
“In the real world, the judge would be disciplined for judicial misconduct and those who gave him improper access to a party’s files would be fired and disciplined,” she remarked, showing her dismay at the handling of the situation.
Official Statements and Resignations
In response to Thebeau’s accusations, the ACNA Archbishop’s Office stated that concerns should be addressed directly to the court or the chancellor, emphasizing that public comments could endanger the trial’s fairness. The office maintained that such grievances should not be publicly litigated before the trial concludes.
Amid these controversies, Provincial Prosecutor Alan Runyan resigned after an incident during the trial where a court member challenged the integrity of the investigation, using evidence not introduced at the trial. Runyan believed this introduced a “seed of impropriety” into the proceedings.
Effects on the Trial Schedule
Runyan’s resignation prompted the ACNA Ecclesiastical Court to postpone proceedings from July 21 to August 11. Archbishop Steve Wood expressed that Runyan’s departure was “an unsettling and surprising development,” describing it as “a serious and concerning situation for the Church.” The outcome of the trial remains pivotal for the ACNA and its governance.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
