The Lead

UPDATE: From the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania:

We are deeply thankful for the supportive statement of the House of Bishops concerning Bishop Bennison. We pray that Charles will heed the advice of his brother and sister bishops "to tender his immediate and unconditional resignation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.” (from our comments)

Subject: House of Bishops Action on Charles Bennison

House of Bishops to Charles Bennison: “We exhort Charles, our brother in Christ, in the strongest possible terms, to tender his immediate and unconditional resignation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.”

[September 21, 2010] The House of Bishop of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Phoenix, AZ, approved the following resolution:

Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord. As the bishops of The Episcopal Church, bound by solemn vows to share in the governance of the whole church, guard its unity, and defend those who have no helper, we are committed to safeguarding the dignity of every person entrusted to our care. We are devoted especially to the care of the young, the weak, and those most vulnerable among us. Because of the depth of these commitments, long held among us, we are profoundly troubled by the outcome of the disciplinary action against the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, The Right Reverend Charles E. Bennison, Jr.

In a lengthy judicial process Bishop Bennison was found guilty on two counts of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy during a lengthy judicial process. Subsequently, the Court of Review reversed one count, upheld one count, but vacated the sentence because the statute of limitations had expired. We respect the decision of the Court of Review and we share their disappointment and find the ultimate resolution of this matter unsatisfactory and morally repugnant. The wholly inadequate response of our brother bishop to the sexual assault upon a minor is an inexcusable violation of his ordination vows. We note here two excerpts from the decisions of the ecclesiastical court:

The tragedy of this conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy is exacerbated by the fact that, during the trial of the case, Appellant testified that, upon reflection on his failure to act, he concludes that his actions were “just about right.” They were not just about right. They were totally wrong. Appellant’s testimony on this subject revealed impaired judgment with regard to the conduct that is the subject of the First Offence and that is clearly and unequivocally conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. (Court of Review, page 25).

… we find that Appellant committed conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. Because the statute of limitations has run on that offense, we have no choice under the canons of the Church but to reverse the judgment of the Trial Court finding that Appellant is guilty of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy . . . (Court of Review, page 38).

The bishops of this church stand in unequivocal solidarity with anyone who has been sexually abused or mistreated by a member of our clergy or by any member of our church. We apologize, out of the depths of God’s compassion for every human being, to the woman who has been victimized by Bishop Bennison’s lack of responsible action, and to all those who have in any way been hurt by our church. We are deeply sorry and we are committed to consistent discipline for those who bring shame upon the Body of Christ by sinful, demeaning, and selfish behavior that takes from another human being their God-given dignity.

As the House of Bishops, we have come to the conclusion that Bishop Bennison’s capacity to exercise the ministry of pastoral oversight is irretrievably damaged. Therefore, we exhort Charles, our brother in Christ, in the strongest possible terms, to tender his immediate and unconditional resignation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. For the sake of the wholeness and unity of the body of Christ, in the Diocese of Pennsylvania and in the church, we implore our brother to take this action without further delay.

This matter has weighed heavily upon the hearts of every member of the House of Bishops and it has been held in prayer not only among us, but by the good and faithful clergy and people of our church. We will continue to pray for Charles, his family, and every person who has been hurt by the church. We pledge to continue to seek God’s guidance and we resolve to lead our church with compassion, justice, and mercy.

# # # #

For more info contact:
Neva Rae Fox
Public Affairs Officer
The Episcopal Church
newsline@episcopalchurch.org

Comments (15)

Oh, how heart-breakingly sad.

Posted by Elizabeth Kaeton | September 21, 2010 9:40 PM

Some days I have little use for the HOB as a whole. Today is not one of them.

However, I agree with Elizabeth, "how sad." Every aspect of this whole matter is incredibly sad.

James Holloway

Posted by polysloguy | September 21, 2010 11:14 PM

From the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania:

Posted by Christopher Hart | September 21, 2010 11:17 PM

Resign, Charles. And we're not giving you one thin dime.

Posted by Josh Thomas | September 21, 2010 11:47 PM

Sad as this situation is, I am stunned with admiration over how decisively, publicly and resolutely the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops has responded to this case. I've witnessed synods of bishops in scandal-ridden churches lock arms, drag their feet, close their eyes and shut their ears to the voices of their flocks, refusing to deal with the problem head-on even though all the dirty laundry was out in the open and festering, so this is nothing short of impressive. Bishops still do listen, learn and act in some places!

Posted by Gregory Orloff | September 22, 2010 12:22 AM

So if he chooses not to follow the request of the HOB, is there anything they can do, or can he keep the Diocese hostage if he wants?

Doug Spurlin

Posted by Doug | September 22, 2010 1:32 AM

The resolution is here:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/Bennison_resolution_9-21-10(1).pdf

Posted by Christopher Johnson | September 22, 2010 1:43 PM

Sometimes bad things happen and there is little we can do to change it. That's true on both sides of this issue. The real question is whether we will allow this to consume us or whether we will continue to focus on mission.

Posted by Peter Pearson | September 22, 2010 1:59 PM

Well Peter it seems like everyone is ready to continue to focus on mission. In order for that to happen, +Charles must step down. No other way around it. This kind of crap WILL NOT STAND.

Posted by Richard Jackson | September 22, 2010 2:59 PM

Bishop Charles Bennison is a friend of mine.

How I wish that the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania; the President of the House of Deputies; and the Presiding Bishop had come together after the decision of the Court of Appeal, and said "Brother Charles, let us all engage in a time of truth, forgiveness and reconciliation so that the remaining years of your ministry will be filled with the grace and peace which is ours in Christ Jesus".

That would have been s sign of a Gospel Church, and would have paved the way to deep spiritual healing.

I go on record in stating that Charles Bennison is a beloved brother in Christ to me.

J. Michael Povey, Sarasota, FL

Posted by jmo | September 22, 2010 3:03 PM

It is very sad to me that we live in a time when we seem unable to agree to disagree. Those who do not share our view must somehow be vaporized (although this must be cloaked in charitable language). Life is full of things we do not like and our consent is neither requested nor sought. My concern for mission is how many of us in DioPA have decided to keep moving forward. Adding to the drama seems to help no one.

Posted by Peter Pearson | September 22, 2010 5:36 PM

He was found G.U.I.L.T.Y. and only got off because of the statue of limitations...if he had ANY love for the Church and ANY integrity, he would have stepped down after the ruling. He is a stain on our Church and will continue to be until he is gone.

Posted by Richard Jackson | September 22, 2010 6:45 PM

He is our brother also, but he has to resign in order for the Church to move forward. He isn't entitled to anything. No one is saying don't forgive him, but part of penitence is leaving the office you failed to uphold.

Posted by Richard Jackson | September 22, 2010 6:48 PM

There's at least a 50/50 chance that Charles Bennison will not step aside and I think it's less probable than that. If he does not, what's Plan B? That's what I am getting at. No one seems to consider that the church will have to continue to function even if nothing changes. I'm not hearing anyone talk about that. Bennison's presence or absence is not preventing the church from being the church but I fear that our focus on this ongoing drama does (at least here in DioPA).

Posted by Peter Pearson | September 23, 2010 9:53 AM

DioPA can force him out. He's too much of a stain on the Church, he absolutely has to go. He's know it, he's just holding out for retirement money.

Posted by Richard Jackson | September 23, 2010 10:47 AM

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