Controversial Episcopal Bishop Refuses House of Bishops Call to Resign

Charles Bennison intends to remain as bishop for the Diocese of Pennsylvania

"I was unaware of my younger brother's inappropriate relationship with a minor member of our church until late 1977, after the relationship was over, and the young woman was legally an adult... I have deep compassion for the young woman who was abused... But resigning my position as Bishop of Pennsylvania will not ease her pain or remove the sting of the abusive relationship." - From a statement by Bishop Charles Bennison.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Charles Bennison, Bishop of Pennsylvania, has announced he will not honor the request of his fellow bishops to resign due to concerns that his "capacity to exercise the ministry of pastoral oversight is irretrievably damaged."

The call for resignation stems from charges levied against the bishop regarding the cover-up of a sexual abuse incident by his brother, also an Episcopal priest. While the lower court ruled that the bishop should be deposed, the Court of Review overturned their decision.

When the disciplinary action began in 2007, Bennison was inhibited from exercising his ordained ministry. The ban expired when the higher court rendered its ruling and the bishop resumed his role in August of this year.

The bishops went on to state, "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."

"We will continue to pray for Charles, his family, and every person who has been hurt by the church," the bishops said.

Bennison has been at the center of multiple controversies over the years involving issues with traditional Anglican parishes regarding homosexuality, the ordination of women and Christology. These disagreements led to battles over property with exiting congregations.

He also fought against conservative and liberal members within the diocese over financial issues.

Bennison's official response reads as follows:

"I sincerely appreciate the prayers of my peers in the House of Bishops and understand that they are concerned for the welfare of my soul.

"However, they have no cause to be worried. I am, and have always been, innocent of the charges against me. And now the Court of Review of the Episcopal Church has reversed the erroneous decision of the Trial Court, and I have been restored to my position as Bishop of Pennsylvania.

"As the Court of Review clearly determined from its review of the facts, I was unaware of my younger brother's inappropriate relationship with a minor member of our church until late 1977, after the relationship was over, and the young woman was legally an adult.

"The Court of Review also determined that I did not conceal anything about this matter, including my conduct, and that numerous clergy and bishops, including the then Presiding Bishop, Edmond Browning, knew of my conduct and did not deem it to be unbecoming a member of the clergy.

"Because the young woman was an adult when I first learned of the relationship in 1977, I did not inform her parents. When her parents did learn of the relationship, they requested that I keep the matter private, and I respected their wishes.

"I have deep compassion for the young woman who was abused. If I could have prevented that abuse, I would certainly have done so. But I did not know of the relationship until it was over, and I can not pretend otherwise. I have nothing but affection for her and for her parents, whom I loved very much, and if there were any way that I could help her now, I would do so.

"But resigning my position as Bishop of Pennsylvania will not ease her pain or remove the sting of the abusive relationship. Instead, I hope that the suffering I have endured during the past three years has strengthened me and will enable me to work for reconciliation within the Diocese.

"I look forward to resuming my mission within the Church. We are a small Church, but a noble and historic one. I hope that the members of the Diocese and I can put the past behind us and work together to achieve our goals."

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online