Conger

A trial date has been set for the Bishop of Pennsylvania to adjudicate charges under canon law that he conspired to cover up the sexual abuse of a parishioner.  The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr., will also come before a civil court in May to answer charges that his use of the “abandonment canon” to depose a priest without benefit of trial was an egregious violation of law and equity.

Bishop Bennison will stand trial before a bishops’ court on June 9, and before the Montgomery Country Court of Common Pleas outside Philadelphia in its May session

On Oct 31 US Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori suspended him after a review panel found there was prima facie evidence to proceed against him for his actions as a parish rector in the 1970’s.

Bishop Bennison is accused of covering up the sexual abuse of a 14 year old girl by his brother.  The family of the victim brought charges against the bishop in 2006, accusing him of having knowledge of the offense, but taking no action.  He is also accused of withholding information of the abuse from the Diocese of Los Angeles when his brother applied for ordination.

In May Bishop Bennison will answer charges before a civil court brought by the former president of Forward in Faith, USA, the Rt. Rev. David Moyer.

In a legal first, the Pennsylvania court will allow Bishop Moyer to test the legality of the use of the “abandonment canon” used to rid him of the Anglo-Catholic leader.

Lawyers for Bishop Bennison had argued the court should dismiss the lawsuit saying the First Amendment of the US Constitution forbad state interference in internal church disputes.

Bishop Moyer’s lawyers countered that equity and justice required a trial as the Pennsylvania bishop had misused the canons, lied to the diocese’s standing committee, and fraudulently withheld crucial documents that led to Bishop Moyer’s deposition.

On Feb. 15, 2005, Bishop Moyer was consecrated a bishop of the Anglican Church of America, a continuing church body that is part of the global Traditional Anglican Communion.  He has also been licensed as Assistant Bishop of the diocese of The Murray in the Anglican Church of Australia.