Bishop Bennison Seeks Dismissal of Presentment

April 28, 2009

Prior to the start of the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison’s appeal before the Court of Review of the Trial of a Bishop, new evidence has come to light. The evidence, revealed on April 27, purportedly reveals that the teenage victim conspired with Bishop Bennison’s brother, John, in order to conceal their sexual relationship from Bishop Bennison, who was serving as rector at the California parish where his brother was the youth minister in the early 1970s.

John Bennison previously admitted initiating a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Eventually he resigned from the ordained ministry of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Bennison maintains he was not aware of the relationship until many years later and did nothing wrong in trying to prevent a scandal once he became aware of the relationship.

Last June, the Court for the Trial of Bishop found Bishop Bennison guilty and recommended that he be deposed for conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. He is currently on suspension while his appeal is under consideration. the rest

Bishop asks for new trial based on love letters