Bishop Story

Witness: Bishop

violated duties

. _.

\

By NICOLE NORFLEET norf/[email protected] 2J5.864-M44

No Bible was used to swear in witnesses on the second day of the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Charles E. Bennison Jr., head ofthe Episcopal Di­ ocese of Pennsylvania, who is accused of turning a blind eye on his broth­ er's alleged abuse of a young parishioner. Instead, the holy book was referred to during questioning concerning the 35-year-old sexual­ abuse case. "We look at our lord Jesus as the model for good pastoring. .. he Bennison keeps away the wolves," said Bishop David E. Rich­ ards, who was in the office of pastoral develop­ ment at the time ofthe abuse. But Bennison did not act as a "good shepherd" when he served as rector of St. Mark's church in Upland, Calif., Richards said in a four-hour video played yesterday for the trial, being held at the Center City Marriott. After becoming aware that his younger broth­ er, John Bennison, was engaging in sexual rela­ tions with a 14-year-old girl in his church, the bishop did not notify the girl's parents, try to counsel the girl or immediately fire his brother as youth-group leader, Richards said. "Even in a confession, if you hear something that is life-threatening, you're obligated to do something about it," Richards said. 'Ib Richards, the sexual abuse that continued from when the girl was 14 to when she was 19 qualified as "life-threatening" because ofthe irre­ versible mental effects it could have on the vic­ tim Martha Alexis, who has changed her name since the abuse, explained how she had consid­ ered killing herself. With her back to the small crowd, she talked about her discomfort when Bennison officiated at her wedding. "It was very awkward," she said. "It was very uncomfortable. There was this huge, unspoken secret." Bennison has led the Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania since 1998. He was suspended by the presiding bishop of the national church with support from the standing committee of the state diocese in November, after accusations were brought against him in 2006. He faces being deposed from the ministry or being issued a warning iffound guilty ofa canoni­ cal offense. If found innocent by six of the nine judges, he can resume his episcopal and ministe­ rial powers. The trial is open to the public and should last through tomorrow.

*

PAGE 10

_

WEDNESDAY. JUNE II. 2008

•••••

n~1 DMIA

DAILY

NEWS