Court
convicts Bishop Bennison in misconduct case
The Court For the Trial of a Bishop has found the Rt. Rev'd Charles E. Bennison, Jr., Bishop of Pennsylvania, guilty on both counts relating to the way he responded after learning that his brother, John, hired by Bishop Bennison as youth group leaders and Sunday School superintendent, was engaged in a sexual relationship with a teenaged youth group member at the parish where Bishop Bennison was rector in the 1970s.
The verdict on the first count, "contemporaneous failure to respond appropriately," was unanimous. On the second count, "subsequent suppression of pertinent information," the verdict just met the canonically required two-thirds majority. Bishop Bruce Caldwell of Wyoming joined with the Rev'd Marjorie Menaul and the Rev'd Karen B. Montagno in dissenting from the majority decision on the second count. There were no opinions issued with the verdicts.
The standing committee of the diocese in which the convicted bishop resides must consent to whatever sentence is recommended by the court. Punishment can be admonition, suspension or deposition as covered under Title IV, Canon 12, Section 1(a).
Lawyers for both Bishop Bennison and The Episcopal Church have until July 30 to file statements or comments "in excuse or mitigation" of the sentence to be imposed. Each side then has until Aug. 15 to comment on any submission made by the other side. Either side may also request a hearing on the sentencing. Lawyers for Bishop Bennison said they would request both a sentencing hearing and an appeal of the decision.
"We are very disappointed that the court found that Bishop Bennison had engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy," James Parabue, Bishop Bennison's lawyer said. "The appropriateness of his actions is reflected by the actions of numerous Episcopal bishops, priests, officials and lay members who knew of Bishop Bennison's conduct as early as 1979 and who for 28 years never felt that his conduct was improper and warranted charges being brought against him during that time."
Imposition of the sentence
will be delayed until after the Court of Review of the Trial of a Bishop hears
the case. Their decision cannot be appealed. Two members of the Court of Review
for the Trial of a Bishop converted to Roman Catholicism before their terms
on the court expired. Bishop S. Todd Ousley of Eastern Michigan replaced Bishop
Daniel Herzog of Albany and Bishop Mary Gray Reeves of El Camino Real replaced
Bishop John B. Lipscomb of Southwest Florida.
—From the Web site of The Living Church.
