Ecclesiastical Court Clears Anglican Bishop of Charges Amidst Controversy
The Anglican Church in North America recently concluded a significant ecclesiastical trial, clearing Bishop Stewart Ruch III of serious charges. This case has rekindled discussions about the handling of abuse cases and the processes governing ecclesiastical trials.
According to a press release issued by ACNA, the ecclesiastical court found Bishop Ruch not guilty on all counts. These included accusations of “Habitual neglect of episcopal duties,” “Conduct giving scandal,” and “Disobedience to canons.” The court’s decision was unanimous, citing insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s case.
The detailed 71-page final order acknowledged the challenges faced by abuse victims and highlighted the need for improvements within the Diocese and Province. Despite these acknowledgments, the court maintained that no canonical offense was proven against Bishop Ruch.
The charges originated from 2021 allegations of mishandled misconduct cases in the Upper Midwest Diocese, highlighted by the conviction of ACNA lay leader Mark Rivera for several sexual assault charges, including an assault on his young goddaughter. This prompted the formation of ACNAtoo, an advocacy group for abuse survivors.
During the investigation, Bishop Ruch temporarily stepped down for 16 months, returning in October 2022, while Bishop Martyn Minns oversaw the diocese. The church trial, announced in August 2023, charged Ruch with violations that included abuse of power and disobedience to church bylaws.
The trial’s integrity was questioned when Alan Runyan, the provincial prosecutor, resigned in July, claiming the process was compromised. In his resignation letter to ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood, Runyan pointed to a court member’s improper questioning as a pivotal issue.
Deputy Prosecutor Rachel Thebeau further criticized the trial process in her letter to ACNA members, accusing the court and the Archbishop’s staff of withholding crucial information. She alleged unauthorized access to her files, which could have influenced the court’s proceedings.
The ACNA Archbishop’s Office responded in a statement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining procedural integrity and advising against public discussions about the trial until its conclusion.
Following deliberations, the court announced its decision by the December 16 deadline, concluding this chapter of ecclesiastical scrutiny within the Anglican Church in North America.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
