BishopAccountability.org
	Family Statement KGO [California] June 13, 2006 http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=i_team&id=4255941 I am the mother of the 14 year old girl who was secretly and systematically used, emotionally and sexually, by The Rev. John Bennison for all her high school years. My daughter, myself, and my family did not initiate this public disclosure and in fact were deeply distressed regarding it. Nevertheless it happened and we will stand up and be counted and not allow this man to prevail in his selective account. This is not the first time that disclosure was made outside the family. The first time was in 1993 when my daughter, with my support and presence, sought justice through the hierarchy of the Episcopal Church. There were numerous meetings with bishops and other clergy. At that time Bishop Swing, contrary to his statement, was fully participatory and informed of every sordid detail. It was deeply disappointing that based on what he knew as fact he did not call for John Bennison's resignation 13 years ago. In 1993 when there was a further disclosure at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Upland where the abuse had taken place, my daughter heard in open meeting from a parishioner - a respected lay leader - the accusation that it was her fault, her responsibility for what transpired. So letters from John Bennison's supporters attacking her motives and calling for her and our family and other victims to "move on" are not new. What is new is that now through the investigative reporter Dan Noyes, and the powerful tool of the internet, we are hearing from those who respect and defend her as a minor who was deeply wounded by a priest of the Episcopal Church. Today, 13 years later, after praising John Bennison's good works, Bishop Swing has finally asked for his resignation for "the good of the church". It appears that this is not prompted by crimes committed but by the public relations debacle and the stain on his, Bishop Swing's, reputation on the eve of his retirement. He also called for an investigation, a repeat of what has already taken place in 1993. Why? We are fully aware of J.B.'s many gifts. that is why we trusted him, why he was able to do what he did, why he is still a priest today, and why he has successfully deceived his first wife, his second wife, and presumably his third wife. He is a master manipulator. My daughter is powerful in the faith and she does not need me, her mother, to speak for her. She can, and has, spoken for herself. She has already walked through the valley of the shadow of death and emerged victorious. She cannot be hurt any longer by the persuasion and seduction and monstrous hypocrisy of John Bennison, nor of his admirers. She is not vengeful and has long ago forgiven this man. On my last visit, I saw posted in her kitchen: "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17. This is a faith that can move mountains and I pray that this is a faith that will result in the removal of John Bennison from the ministry. I only regret that my husband who died without seeing justice done could be alive today to stand with the rest of us in this confrontation.
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