BishopAccountability.org
	Episcopal Priest Weighs Resignation Request Clayton: Rector Admits That He Had Sex with Girl, 14, in 1970s By Ryan Huff Contra Costa Times June 6, 2006 http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/14751051.htm An Episcopal priest who molested a teen parishioner in the 1970s said Monday that he will consider Bay Area Bishop William Swing's request to resign but has no immediate plan to leave his Clayton church. The Rev. John Bennison of St. John's Episcopal Parish pledged to give the bishop's request from last week his "deepest and most prayerful consideration." He also said was heartened and sustained by the support of his church's board and parishioners. Swing has no authority to terminate Bennison, but any three Bay Area diocese clergy members or seven parishioners can bring a charge against a priest to start dismissal proceedings. Swing, who long ago announced he would retire later this year, oversees 81 Bay Area Episcopal churches, including 26 in the East Bay. Bennison, 58, declined an interview Monday and refused to identify members of the Clayton church's governing board. The priest said he would try to have parishioners call the Times on Monday, but none did. Bennison admitted to the Times that he had a four-year sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl that began in 1972 while he was an assistant in a Los Angeles-area church. The victim came forward in 1993; no criminal charges were filed. Bennison has had an "unblemished record of conduct" since he became Clayton's rector in 1982, Swing said in a statement released last week. The Bay Area diocese was not aware of the sexual misconduct when Bennison moved from Los Angeles, Swing said. The bishop called for Bennison's resignation after a victim advocacy group -- Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests -- protested at St. John's and led a campaign for the priest's ouster. Ryan Huff covers Concord and Clayton. Reach him at 925-977-8471 or rhuff@cctimes.com. CLAYTON PRIEST'S STATEMENT The Rev. John Bennison, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Clayton: "I was saddened to receive Bishop Swing's appeal to me to consider stepping down as Rector of Saint John's Parish; particularly after his own full inquiry thirteen years ago, and what he himself acknowledges and describes as my 'unblemished record' and 'honorable career' for 25 years. I appreciate the fact he 'believes in my priesthood.' "Bill Swing and I share many years of faithful service to the Church, and upon the eve of his retirement I will honor that relationship as members of the one body of Christ, by pledging to give his request my deepest and most prayerful consideration. "Meanwhile, I am heartened and sustained by the unanimous vote of confidence from the governing board of our congregation, and the overwhelming support by members of our parish family."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.