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	Western New York: Diocese Deposes Former Batavia Priest Episcopal Life August 14, 2007 http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_89059_ENG_HTM.htm [Diocese of Western New York] Episcopal Diocese of Western New York Bishop J. Michael Garrison August 10 removed Simon Bancroft Howson from the priesthood of the Episcopal Church. Howson, who once served as rector of St. James' Episcopal Church in Batavia, New York, was inhibited by Garrison on October 19, 2004, and subsequently left the Batavia area. In March of 2005, Garrison forwarded a list of written charges against Howson to the Diocesan Review Committee, which then asked the church attorney to conduct an investigation. Based on the findings of that investigation the Review Committee issued a presentment against Howson charging him with seven counts of immorality involving financial matters and misrepresentations, and one count of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. On April 20, in a unanimous decision, the Ecclesiastical Court, consisting of three priests and two lay persons elected by diocesan convention, sustained all the counts of the presentment. At the sentencing on July 2, the court unanimously voted to depose Howson. Garrison's action on August 10 finalized the deposition. Howson did not answer the presentment, make any appearances in the Ecclesiastical Court or take advantage of his right to appeal the judgment of the court. The procedures occurred in accordance with Title IV of the Episcopal Church's Constitution and Canons.
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