Episcopal Church leader accuses retired bishop of unwanted physical contact

Christian Post ^ | September 5, 2023 | Michael Gryboski

[Morgana]

A prominent leader in The Episcopal Church has accused a retired bishop of unwanted physical contact and verbal harassment in an incident that allegedly occurred last year.

Episcopal Church House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris wrote a public letter to church deputies last week accusing an unnamed former bishop of physical and verbal harassment.

Ayala Harris said that shortly after she was elected president in July 2022, the retired bishop "physically overpowered" her and made "inappropriate verbal statements."

Ayala Harris submitted a Title IV complaint under the purview of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops against the retired bishop, while another Episcopal bishop who reportedly witnessed the alleged incident also filed a report, according to Episcopal News Service.

Title IV refers to the section of denomination's bylaws addressing the "ecclesiastical discipline" processes when church leaders are accused of misconduct.

Ayala Harris told ENS that she didn't feel comfortable publicly naming the accused at this time.

"Going through the Title IV process this past year was not something I would want anyone to have to endure," Ayala Harris wrote in the letter to the deputies.

"Yet, living through that experience has given me an important perspective that I can apply in my leadership role, and it has renewed my long-lasting commitment to increased safety in our communities."

According to Ayala Harris, there were three reports by two third-party investigators that found the retired bishop “likely violated The Episcopal Church’s Title IV canons and New York sexual harassment laws.” Meanwhile, a third report stated that the bishop “may have violated restrictions on his ministry.”

A church attorney referred the case for a pastoral response instead of discipline, ENS reports.

“I find this outcome deeply unsettling and feel the referral to be an obvious abuse of discretion by the church attorney,” Ayala Harris said.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said in a statement shared by ENS that there are "larger concerns about our mechanisms for accountability" and "the need to live more fully and effectively into the values of Title IV."

Ayala Harris stated that her "motivation for sharing this story stems from a deep love for our church" and that it was "from this place of profound care and concern that I raise important questions about safety and accountability."

"If the president-elect of our House and deputy chair of the Legislative Committee on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, and Safeguarding can experience unsafe treatment right at the door of the House of Bishops during the General Convention, then who in our church can truly be safe?" she added.

The accused retired bishop has been removed from serving on various denominational governance bodies and put on restrictive ministry during the Title IV investigation, reported ENS.

In July 2022, lay leader Ayala Harris was elected president of the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, becoming the first Hispanic woman to lead the House of Deputies.

She was elected on the third ballot, beating out four other candidates by receiving 417 votes, or 53% of the 791 votes. She succeeded the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, who became the first woman to hold the position in 2012.

"I think that by the election of a young person of color, perhaps this could be the beginning of the church seeing leadership differently," Ayala Harris told The Living Church after her election.

[Morgana]

This is more info on the other story I just posted. What I don't understand is why she didn't report the physical contact to the police. This is not the 1980's

[Fido969]

I wonder if it was Gene Robinson. That guy was a train wreck.

[Robwin]

The Episcopalians frown on such conduct? Will wonders never cease?

[yukong]

it was Edward Konieczny from Oklahoma. He is also the chairman of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. This story has been in the new here in Oklahoma.

[alexander_busek]

Ayala Harris said that shortly after she was elected president in July 2022, the retired bishop "physically overpowered" her and made "inappropriate verbal statements."

"At the 80th General Convention in 2022, Julia Ayala Harris was elected president of the House of Deputies, the presiding officer who works alongside the presiding bishop. President Ayala Harris is the first Latina and woman of color to hold the position. She is passionate about a multitude of issues, such as immigration, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and truth-telling, as well as justice initiatives. As a lay leader, President Ayala Harris served the church in multiple roles, including"

So this young Latinix was "physically overpowered" by a retired Episcopalian bishop? And only now, more than two years later, chooses to press charges?

Color me skeptical!

Regards,

[fieldmarshaldj]

Episcopals = Church of the High Holy Anus and Sainted Rectal Prolapse

[twister881]

No traditionalists/conservatives remain in TEC (aka PECUSA), so whoever this Train Wreck is accusing must be a like-minded anarchist/Leftist.

[sauropod]

Something stinks here.

[Morgana]

“The Episcopalians frown on such conduct? Will wonders never cease?”

Considering they are proaborts, that is what I thought

[Morgana]

I agree that is why I am bringing this story to everyone’s attention.

[DeplorablePaul]

Yes. What was the nature of the “overpowering”? A hug? Seems like she is seeking victim status.

ps

I left the Episcopalian church in 1989 when it got weird. That’s when the gays took over.