From Michigan-Members of Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City learned over the weekend that a former interim priest had sexually harassed three female members of the congregation in 2008-09.
Two of the three women came forward with the news last month after learning the Rev. Bry Dennison had been reinstated "as a priest in good standing" by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, based in Detroit.
At the time of the incidents, church leaders notified the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan and "after a prolonged process," which also involved the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Dennison was suspended and prohibited from preaching in the Episcopal Church for five years. He was released from that suspension on July 15, 2015.
The news of Dennison's reinstatement "opened emotional wounds and they reached out," says John Strickler, a member of the church vestry – the church's lay governing board – and appointed by the parish to speak on its behalf. The nature of the harassment was detailed by one of the victims, who also was an employee of the church at the time. She described it as "invasion of personal space, unwelcome embraces and some unwelcome kisses," according to Strickler.
More here-
http://www.traverseticker.com/story/church
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