By George Conger
Religious Intelligence (United Kingdom)
February 15, 2009
http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=3865
The former Bishop of Pennsylvania's request for a modification of his sentence of deposition from holy orders was denied last week by a church tribunal in Philadelphia.
 |
On Feb 4, the Court for the Trial of a Bishop declined to modify its sentence removing the Rt Rev Charles Bennison from the ministry for having covered up the sexual abuse of a young girl committed by his brother, John Bennison, when Bishop Bennison was a parish priest in California in the 1970s.
The court rejected the request to impose a lighter sentence of suspension or admonition, but noted that its ruling did not "alter the church's deep and abiding compassion" for Bishop Bennison, saying they hoped the finality of its verdict would allow him to find "reconciliation and peace."
Lawyers for the former bishop said they were "very disappointed" by the decision, saying it was "unwarranted" given the facts before the court. "The court's unwillingness to recognize the victims' desire over 30 years to not see the bishop punished and its disregard for both the evidence presented at trial and the additional evidence uncovered after trial amount to a grave injustice against a man who has served the Episcopal Church faithfully for four decades," his lawyer said.
Bishop Bennison's attorney announced that his client would take his case to the appellate Court of Review. Under canon law, the former bishop has 30 days to file his appeal, with a hearing to following within 60 days.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.