Menlo Park rector on leave as Episcopal leaders investigate funds misuse

From Califonia-

The rector of Trinity Episcopal Church has been placed on leave for using at least $125,000 in church funds for personal spending, parish leaders announced Sunday.

A financial review by church leaders determined the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett, who had led Trinity for a decade, misused funds for at least the last five years, according to a news release attributed to the Rev. Canon Abbott Bailey. The release said Dutton-Gillett admitted misusing the unreimbursed funds when asked.

A spokeswoman said Sunday that church leaders intend to file a police report. Church leaders told parishioners about the situation in a Zoom conference meeting Sunday before the scheduled 10 a.m. online service, the spokeswoman said.

“This is a very painful time for me, and particularly for my family,” Dutton-Gillett said in a statement to this news organization. “I have a deep love for the Trinity community, and they for me, and I know that this is painful for them, as well. I regret that deeply.”

More here-

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/19/menlo-park-rector-on-leave-as-episcopal-leaders-investigate-funds-misuse/

Anglican reverend arraigned in court over faking kidnap

From Uganda-

An Anglican reverend who is accused of faking his own kidnap has been arraigned in court and charged.

Rev Isaac Mwesigwa appeared at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court on Friday and was charged with giving false information to a public officer.

He was arrested on Thursday by CID officers in Kampala after police obtained CCTV footage showing that he had exited his car without any attack from anyone, contrary to what he had told police earlier. 

Rev Mwesigwa was found in Soroti District on February 12, three days after he went missing. He told police that he had been kidnapped by armed men on his way to deliver his research work at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono.

In court, Rev Mwesigwa denied the charges and asked to be released on bail.

More here-

https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Anglican-reverend-arraigned-court-faking-kidnap/688334-5464108-1ix3tdz/index.html

Stolen baby Jesus statue makes his valiant return to St. Paul's by-the-Sea

From Oregon-

It was a year ago in December that a mysterious person was caught on security footage stealing the baby Jesus figure from St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church’s annual Nativity installation.

But this past Sunday, Father Matthew D’Amario said before the service began, “I declare this baby Jesus statue restored to the use for which it has been dedicated and consecrated.”

The church, located on Third Street and Baltimore Avenue, puts up the manger scene around Christmas in tandem with the Ocean City light show. But goodwill apparently was in short supply in December 2018, as the infant went missing.

“We have plastic in front of the scene to protect the blow-up plastic figures in the manger,” D’Amario said. “We realized in late December, after Christmas, that the baby Jesus in the manger was gone.”

More here-

https://www.bluemountaineagle.com/life/national/stolen-baby-jesus-statue-makes-his-valiant-return-to-st/article_6ff6e75c-3016-561e-b1c6-a8da52a039a1.html

Anglican Bishop Ruwona back in court

From Zimbabwe-

Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop, Eric Ruwona, appeared in court on Wednesday for routine remand on fraud charges involving US$700 000 which he, together with three accomplices, allegedly siphoned from church coffers.

He will be back in court again on February 24 when the court is expected to furnish him with a trial date.

Ruwona, who is denying the charges, is out on $15 000 bail.

As part ot the bail conditions he was ordered to report once every Friday at Mutare Central Police Station and not to interfere with State witnesses.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, also ordered him to continue residing at No. 1 Oak Road, Murambi.

Allegations were that the bishop and his three accomplices, who are still at large, hatched a plan to defraud the diocese.

More here-

https://www.thezimbabwedaily.com/news/386284-anglican-bishop-ruwona-back-in-court.html

Former bishop who killed Baltimore cyclist must use ignition interlock, undergo treatment for at least 5 years

From Baltimore-

Heather Cook, a former Episcopal bishop who was released from prison this week after serving 3½ years for killing a Baltimore bicyclist while driving drunk, must participate in Maryland’s ignition interlock program and undergo treatment and testing for alcohol and drug addiction for at least five years.

Cook, 62, learned of these and other conditions of her five-year probation at a meeting with parole and probation officials within hours of her release Tuesday, according to David Irwin, her attorney.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy J. Doory imposed the conditions on Oct. 27, 2015, as part of a seven-year sentence he gave Cook for the crash that killed Thomas Palermo, a software engineer and married father of two young children, the previous December.

Cook’s parole and probation officer has the discretion to refine those and other terms of Cook’s probation, but not to add new ones, Irwin said Thursday.

More here-

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-cook-probation-terms-20190516-story.html

Ex-Episcopal bishop who killed bicyclist gets out of prison

From Baltimore-

A former Episcopal bishop who fatally struck a bicyclist while drunk and texting behind the wheel was released Tuesday from a Maryland prison after spending more than three years behind bars.

Heather Cook was the second-highest-ranking Episcopal leader in the state when the fatal crash occurred two days after Christmas 2014. Thomas Palermo, a software engineer and a married father of two, was fatally struck by Cook's vehicle as he rode his bicycle in Baltimore.

She served just over half of the seven-year sentence she originally received for Palermo's death, according to corrections spokesman Gerard Shields. She had earned good behavior credits and authorities have described her as a "model inmate" at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women.

More here-

https://www.foxnews.com/us/ex-episcopal-bishop-who-killed-bicyclist-gets-out-of-prison 

and here-

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/heather-cook-released-from-jail/27467514

Former Canberra Anglican minister pleads guilty to sending indecent material to teenage girl

From Australia-

A former Anglican minister has pleaded guilty to sending indecent material to a teenage girl in the ACT Magistrates Court today, saying he hopes his plea will limit any further harm to the victim.

Brian Champness, 41, was arrested in January after a police investigation across New South Wales and the ACT.

It was alleged at the time of his arrest that Champness had used an app to groom a 14-year-old girl.

He was subsequently charged with using a carriage service to groom a person under 16 years, and pleaded not guilty.

Today the charge was downgraded to using a carriage service to send indecent material to a person under 16 years, and he pleaded guilty.

More here-

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-02/anglican-minister-pleads-guilty-to-sending-indecent-material/11073054

Burglars take $15K worth of items from N. Idaho church

From Idaho-

Members of a church outside of Sandpoint are searching for answers after burglars stole an estimated $15,000 worth of items, including crosses, computers, and donated goods for the homeless.

Churchgoers at Holy Spirit Episcopal, in Dover, discovered the items missing last Sunday morning when they arrived for services. Church members said that a suspect was able to compromise a lock on the main entrance doors to Holy Spirit.

"How could someone violate a church in that manner? And especially a church in Sandpoint?" said Geoffrey Cant, a Holy Spirit member. "Churches should not be subject to that."

Sacramental items that were taken included a tabernacle, chalices, candelabras, and two crosses, among other items. The crosses had a combined value of approximately $5,000, according to estimates by church members. 

In a separate section of Holy Spirit, members said that the suspect went into the vicar's office and stole two desktop computers and a new vacuum. Outside the office, the church had been collecting clothes and other items for a local homeless charity, which were also stolen.

More here-

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/bonner-county/burglars-take-15k-worth-of-items-from-n-idaho-church/293-fe27eef8-0a33-4dc4-b314-415ef884327c

Fall from grace: How a beloved priest allegedly ‘looted’ $126,000 from a Huntington Beach church

From Orange County-

Saddened but resolute, Derek Wimmer solemnly stood before the shell-shocked congregation of St. Wilfrid of York church and meticulously detailed the sins of Michael Archer, a disgraced priest accused of malfeasance in the theft of about $126,000 over the past decade. 

“It is abundantly clear that by forging documents, using Photoshopped invoices, lying to those who questioned him, these actions were premeditated and designed to systematically loot the church,” Wimmer, the church’s treasurer, told about 100 parishioners who gathered for a rare town hall meeting on Nov. 25.

More here-

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/11/30/fall-from-grace-how-a-beloved-priest-allegedly-looted-126000-from-a-huntington-beach-church/

Ex-Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook to remain in prison

From Baltimore-

A Baltimore judge denied this afternoon a reduction in Heather E. Cook’s prison sentence that would have meant almost immediate release for the former Episcopal bishop who killed a bicyclist while driving drunk in 2014.

Cook’s lawyers argued for mercy, saying the 62-year-old had been rehabilitated.

But Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. Doory refused. He cited the words of a mentor on the bench whose dictum was “concurrent time is no time at all.”

“Can I justify no time at all for leaving the scene [of a fatal accident]? I’m sorry to say, I cannot,” Doory said.

Cook had been asking that two of her four sentences be changed from consecutive to concurrent, a change which Doory said would essentially mean she was never punished for leaving the accident scene.

More here-

https://baltimorebrew.com/2018/11/05/ex-episcopal-bishop-heather-cook-to-remain-in-prison/ 

also here-

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-cook-sentence-hearing-20181031-story.html

The Heather Cook case: a timeline

From Baltimore-

Following are key dates in the case of Heather Cook, the former Episcopal bishop now serving a prison term for fatally striking bicyclist Tom Palermo with her car while driving drunk and texting. She has applied for a two-year reduction in her sentence.

2010 — Cook is arrested, pleads guilty to a drunken-driving charge in Caroline County

May 2, 2014 — Cook is narrowly elected as bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

Sept. 6, 2014 — Cook is consecrated as first female bishop in Maryland diocese history

Dec. 27, 2014 — Cook fatally strikes bicyclist Tom Palermo while driving drunk and texting in North Baltimore.

More here

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-cook-case-timeline-20181009-story.html 

also here-

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-opposes-cook-early-release-20181009-story.html

Ex-bishop who fatally struck cyclist seeks sentencing change

From The Washington Post-

A former Episcopal bishop imprisoned for fatally striking a bicyclist with her car while drunk could be released as early as next month if a Baltimore judge approves her request to modify how she is serving her sentence.

Heather Cook has asked Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy Doory to change two of her four sentences from consecutive to concurrent status. That could cut two years off the seven-year sentence Doory imposed for the 2014 crash that killed Tom Palermo.

If Doory agrees to Cook’s full request, state prison officials said credits Cook has accrued, in accordance with state law, through participation in prison programs would be applied against her revised five-year sentence. That would make her eligible for release on Nov. 5 — the date the judge has set for a hearing on the motion.

If Doory denies the request, Cook is set to be released on Aug. 6.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ex-bishop-who-fatally-struck-cyclist-seeks-sentencing-change/2018/10/06/b9b86c1c-c8ca-11e8-b2b5-79270f9cce17_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2c3c65d8cc4d

A look at ex-Baltimore bishop Heather Cook's time behind bars, according to her case file

From Baltimore-
 
Former Episcopal bishop Heather Cook’s criminal case file indicates she has been active in prison programs while serving a nearly three years of her original seven-year sentence for fatally striking bicyclist Tom Palermo with her car while drunk.

Her participation has earned her enough credits that her sentence has been shortened by more than three years; she is scheduled to be released Aug. 6 of next year and could be freed next month if her most recent request to the court is approved.

Alisa Rock, a sister of Palermo’s wife, Rachel, said in an email to The Baltimore Sun that she “vehemently” opposes Cook’s application.

“Each of Cook’s attempts to reduce her sentence traumatizes my sister and her family anew,” she said.

More here-

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-cook-behind-bars-20181005-story.html

Ex-bishop who fatally struck bicyclist seeks sentencing change that could lead to release from prison next month

From Baltimore-

A former Episcopal bishop serving a prison sentence for fatally striking a bicyclist with her car while drunk could be released as early as next month if a Baltimore judge approves her request to modify how she is serving her sentence.

Heather Cook has asked Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy Doory to change two of her four sentences from consecutive to concurrent status. That could cut two years off the seven-year sentence Doory imposed for the 2014 crash that killed Tom Palermo.

If Doory agrees to Cook’s full request, state prison officials said credits Cook has accrued, in accordance with state law, through participation in prison programs would be applied against her revised five-year sentence. That would make her eligible for release on Nov. 5 — the date the judge has set for a hearing on the motion.

If Doory denies the request, Cook is set to be released on Aug. 6.

More here-

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-cook-applies-sentence-reduction-20181004-story.html

Lawsuit filed against San Mateo school after teacher convicted of sex crimes

From California (worth watching the video to hear the reporter mispronounce "Episcopal")-

A civil lawsuit has been filed against Saint Matthew's Episcopal Day School in San Mateo where a former teacher was found guilty of molesting young girls at the school.

South San Francisco resident, 33-year-old Anthony Satriano, taught at the school for three years. 

Satriano was arrested on April 21 2017 by the San Mateo Police Department for molesting young girls on campus after hours, during extended care time. 

Once the school found out about the arrest, they immediately fired Satriano and banned him from the campus. 

More here-

https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/lawsuit-filed-against-san-mateo-school-after-teacher-convicted-of-sex-crimes/1480617202

The Murder Wall of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church: a wake up call for New Orleans

From Louisiana-

Since 2007 Saint Anna's Episcopal Church, in the Treme community of New Orleans, has drawn attention to New Orleans' murder problem.  The Very Reverend William Terry displays the names of those murdered in the city out in the open for the world to see and has been doing so since 2007.

"it was in 2007 there had been a large number of murders. We had just done a major march on city hall and nothing seemed to be really changing," said Reverend Terry.  "Every year we put up a new outside board and we have to handwrite them because a printer can't keep up."

The ongoing project is a crusade with a sharp message-- in one of the most violent cities in the world.  Reverend Terry wonders why more churches do not get involved.  However, Reverend Terry has found that there simply isn't a space big enough to display a ravenous list of names.   He has the idea to replace putting the names outside on a wall in favor of displaying them inside in the future, in a way that could mimic Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.   He wants to engrave the names on gold stars and affix them up on the rafters inside of the church's sanctuary.

More here-

https://wgno.com/2018/09/27/the-murder-wall-of-st-annas-episcopal-church-a-wake-up-call-for-new-orleans/

Heather Cook, ex-bishop convicted of fatally striking bicyclist with car in Baltimore, applies for work release

From Baltimore-

Heather E. Cook, the former Episcopal bishop serving a prison sentence for fatally striking a bicyclist with her car while drunk in 2014 in Baltimore, has applied for a work release program.

Cook’s application is under review, according to a prisons spokesman and a letter sent to the victim’s family and shared with The Baltimore Sun.

The prison system’s Victim Service Unit said in the July 19 letter to the family of Thomas Palermo that placement of Cook “is to begin within the next several weeks.”

But Gerard Shields, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, said in an email that “there is no set time on when she would be approved or begin working” and he does not know why the letter gave that time frame.

Shields said the department’s review “is not a quick process” and that Cook is first undergoing a medical examination “to determine if she can work.”

Alisa Rock, a sister of Palermo’s wife, said in an email to The Sun that she opposes Cook’s application for work release. She said that by applying, Cook “once again attempts to limit the consequences of her actions.”

More here-

 http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-heather-cook-work-release-20180726-story.html

and here-

http://mynorthwest.com/1062610/former-bishop-who-killed-cyclist-applies-for-work-release/

Anglican Church Crisis: Why I collected ₦260 million – Bishop

From Nigeria-

The Bishop of the Lagos Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Adebola Ademowo, pushed back vehemently on claims that he misappropriated ₦260 million belonging to the church, according to a letter by the cleric seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

The letter, dated March 1 and addressed to Nicholas Okoh, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, was a response to accusations of financial impropriety and election malpractice levelled by some members of the church against Mr Ademowo. 

While presenting his achievements in the church in his almost two decades as bishop to the Primate, Mr Ademowo detailed the origin of the recent controversy which has embarrassed the church and exposed its leaders to ridicule. 

Ten members, who identified themselves as prominent financial members and elders in the church, had accused Mr Ademowo of causing division and hatred among members, receipt of funds from the Diocesan Board for his personal use, and the placing of his family members in strategic positions.

The aggrieved members also accused the bishop of manipulating the electoral process that led to the emergence of Humphrey Olumakaiye as his successor.

More here-

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/271425-anglican-church-crisis-why-i-collected-₦260-million-bishop.html

Accused Beaumont bomber indicted by federal grand jury

From Texas-

The alleged Beaumont bomber has been indicted by a federal grand jury, Wednesday.

Jonathan Matthew Torres, 40, of Beaumont, has been charged with use of an explosive to damage property, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and mailing a threatening communication, all in connection with the explosive found at Starbucks on Dowlen Rd. in April, and the explosion at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church two weeks later in May.

Torres, if convicted, could spend 5 to 20 years in federal prison. 

From U.S. Attorney's Office...

A 40-year-old Beaumont, Texas man has been indicted and charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.

Jonathan Matthew Torres was indicted by a federal grand jury today and charged with use of an explosive to damage property, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and mailing a threatening communication.

More here-

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/crime/accused-beaumont-bomber-indicted-by-federal-grand-jury/502-561995491

Ex-bishop doesn't merit early release from prison

From Baltimore-

I am outraged that Heather Cook, the former Episcopal priest, has the audacity to request to be released from prison after serving only two and a half years, not even four years after killing bicyclist Tom Palermo in a horrendous turn of events in which she showed herself to have no moral compass, her professional life that of a complete hypocrite and a repeated danger to the public (“Former Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook applies to serve rest of sentence on home detention,” May 2).

She was over three times the legal limit for alcohol and texting when she swerved and struck Palermo. He rolled off the hood of her car, and then she sped off to escape detection and elude witnesses, leaving him to die on the side of Roland Avenue. After she realized she would be found, she turned herself in. When questioned, she lied and said she didn't realize she had hit someone.

After her being charged, she spent 13 days in a luxurious addiction treatment center on the Chesapeake Bay, planning on doing "more extensive treatment" there. She was free on bail for almost a year. So it's not like she has actually served the time between killing her victim in December 2014, and now, May 2018. 

More here-

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-bishop-biker-letter-20180503-story.html