Anglican Bishop’s Trial Delayed Amid Prosecutor’s Resignation
The ecclesiastical trial of a prominent Anglican bishop has been postponed, following the unexpected resignation of the provincial prosecutor. This decision reflects mounting complexities within the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) regarding the handling of abuse cases.
Bishop Stewart Ruch III, leading the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest, faces accusations of mishandling allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse. The ACNA Ecclesiastical Court for the Trial of a Bishop announced on Sunday that the proceedings, initially set to resume on July 21, have been postponed to August 11.
The delay follows the resignation of Alan Runyan, the provincial prosecutor, as noted in an order issued by Court President Bishop David Bryan and Presiding Officer the Rev. Canon Jeffrey G. Weber. The order emphasized the need for resolution without further delay, despite the resignation.
“The Court issues this Order in full recognition of the complexities created by the resignation of the Provincial Prosecutor and the Province’s ongoing efforts to appoint a successor,” the order stated, highlighting the importance of a fair and timely adjudication process. The court reassured all parties that procedural disruptions would not influence the trial’s outcome.
ACNA Archbishop, the Most Rev. Steve Wood, described Runyan’s resignation as “an unsettling and surprising development” in a letter to the church body. He urged continued prayers and expressed faith in Christ to guide the church through these challenges.
The case against Bishop Ruch stems from a 2021 report of “erosion of trust” within the Upper Midwest Diocese due to alleged mishandling of abuse claims. Notable incidents include the conviction of ACNA lay leader Mark Rivera, found guilty of sexually assaulting his goddaughter.
Concerns over the diocese’s response to these allegations led to the creation of ACNAtoo, an advocacy group for abuse survivors. The denomination announced in August 2023 that Ruch would face charges, including violations of ordination vows and abuse of ecclesiastical power.
In a statement, Bishop Ruch expressed relief over the opportunity for resolution, urging prayers for all involved and support for diocesan efforts.
Runyan resigned after a court member questioned the integrity of the proceedings by referencing evidence not presented at trial. In a letter to Archbishop Wood, Runyan wrote that this incident compromised the trial’s integrity, rendering the process “irreparably tainted.”
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
