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Title IV Cases Involving Bishops

To encourage public awareness of and transparency in the Title IV process, the procedural progress of Title IV matters involving bishops will be disclosed in the following situations:

  • A matter becomes public such that disclosure of its procedural progress is warranted–as decided by the presiding bishop. (See Canon IV.6.11, Canon IV.7.9, Canon IV.8.3, and Canons IV.4.13.) Such cases are posted below.
  • A matter reaches a hearing panel, at which point the canons require the public disclosure of all documents filed with, or issued by, the hearing panel or by any party or person. (Canon IV.13.3.) Such documents are posted here.

Current Cases

Respondents are presumed innocent of allegations made against them until proven otherwise (Canon IV.19.16).

Under the canons, the intake officer is directed to review a matter as “if true” (Canon IV.6.5).  A decision by the intake officer to send a matter to the reference panel is not a decision about the truth or falsity of any allegation.

The decision to include a matter on this page does not indicate a decision on the merits of any allegations against a respondent.  Rather, the intention is to provide accurate information of a procedural nature only.

(Click on a document title for the full document.)

Bishop Prince Singh (Allegations of abusive behavior)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of abusive behavior against the Rt. Rev. Prince Singh

June 19, 2023
Intake officer recused; intake officer-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.b, Canon IV.19.14.a).

Information provided to intake officer-designate (Canon IV.6.2).

July 11, 2023
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

July 12, 2023
Advisors provided to complainants and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

July 20, 2023
Presiding bishop recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, Canon IV.19.24).

July 27, 2023
Complainants challenged suitability of presiding bishop-designate (Canon IV.19.14.a).

Aug. 7, 2023
Second presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon.IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.24).

Sept. 7, 2023
Presiding bishop-designate issued restriction on ministry to respondent (Canon IV.7.3-4, Canon IV.17.2).

Oct. 18, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for possible accord (Canon IV.6.8.e).

Nov. 3, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Feb. 14, 2024
Reference panel referred matter to conference panel (Canon IV.6.8, Canon IV.12, Canon IV.17.5). 

Dec. 12, 2024
Accord approved by Disciplinary Board for Bishops (Canon IV.17.9).

Bishop Prince Singh (Allegations of improper behavior–Diocese of Rochester)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of improper behavior in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester against the Rt. Rev. Prince Singh

June 26, 2023
Information provided to intake officer-designate (Canon IV.6.2).

Sept. 22, 2023
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Oct. 3, 2023
Advisors provided to complainants and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Oct. 10, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

June 7, 2024
Reference panel referred matter to hearing panel (Canon IV.11.3.e).

Dec. 12, 2024
Accord approved by Disciplinary Board for Bishops (Canon IV.17.9).

Bishop John Howard (Allegations of discrimination)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of discrimination against the Rt. Rev. S. John Howard

July 24, 2023
Information provided to newly appointed intake officer (Canon IV.6.2).

Oct. 19, 2023
Presiding bishop recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, and Canon IV.19.24).

Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Advisors provided to complainant and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Nov. 9, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

June 7, 2024
Reference panel referred matter to hearing panel (Canon IV.11.3.e).

Bishop John Howard (Allegations of a financial nature)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of a financial nature against the Rt. Rev. S. John Howard

Aug. 11, 2023
Information provided to newly appointed intake officer (Canon IV.6.2).

Oct. 19, 2023
Presiding bishop recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, and Canon IV.19.24).

Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Advisers provided to complainant and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Nov. 9, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

June 7, 2024
Reference panel referred matter to hearing panel (Canon IV.11.3.e).

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Bishop Todd Ousley

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of misconduct against the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry and the Rt. Rev. S. Todd Ousley

Dec. 28, 2023
Letter from complainants to bishops providing information (Canon IV.6.2).

Jan. 10, 2024
Vice president of House of Bishops, performing role of presiding bishop in disciplinary matters, recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, and Canon IV.19.24).

Jan. 18, 2024
Intake officer recused; intake officer-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.b, Canon IV.19.14.a).

Information provided to intake officer-designate (Canon IV.6.2).

Feb. 24, 2024
Suitability of presiding bishop-designate challenged (Canon IV.19.14.a).

Feb. 25, 2024
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7)

Feb. 29, 2024
Second presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon.IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.24).

March 14, 2024
Reference panel referred the matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Bishop Santosh Marray/Single Complainant (Allegations of inappropriate public statements and misrepresentations)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Bishop Santosh Marray/Single Complainant (Allegations of inappropriate public statements and misrepresentations)

February 14, 2024
Information forwarded to intake officer (Canon IV.6.2)

March 12, 2024
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Presiding Bishop recused; Vice President of House of Bishops to perform role of Presiding Bishop (Canon IV.17.2.c and Canon IV.19.24).

March 13, 2024
Advisor provided to complainant (Canon IV.19.10).

Advisor previously provided to respondent in separate matter (Canon IV.19.10).

May 2, 2024
Reference panel referred three of five claims for Conciliation (Canon IV.6.8.b and Canon IV.10) and two of the five claims for no action other than appropriate pastoral response (Canon IV.6.8.a).

Bishop Santosh Marray/Multiple Complainants (Allegations of inappropriate public statements and behavior)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Bishop Santosh Marray/Multiple Complainants (Allegations of inappropriate public statements and behavior)

July 27, 2023
Information provided to newly appointed intake officer (Canon IV.6.2)

December 12, 2023
Advisor provided to complainants at their request (Canon IV.19.10).

January 11, 2024
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

February 1, 2024
Presiding Bishop recused; Vice President of House of Bishops to perform role of Presiding Bishop (Canon IV.17.2.c and Canon IV.19.24).

February 2, 2024
Advisor provided to respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

March 6, 2024
Vice President of House of Bishops issued Pastoral Direction to respondent (Canon IV.7.1-2 and Canon IV.19.24). 

March 13, 2024
Vice President of House of Bishops issued Second Pastoral Direction to respondent (Canon IV.7.1-2 and Canon IV.19.24).

May 2, 2024
Reference panel referred matter for Conciliation (Canon IV.6.8(b) and Canon IV.10).

Vice President of House of Bishops issued Third Pastoral Direction to respondent (Canon IV.7.1-2 and Canon IV.19.24). 

Bishop Marc Andrus (Allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an adult)

Procedural ChronologyDownload

Bishop Marc Andrus (Allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an adult)

Oct. 2, 2024
Information provided to intake officer (Canon IV.6.2).

Oct. 9, 2024
Restriction on ministry issued to respondent by presiding bishop-designate (Canon IV.7.3).
Advisor provided to complainant (Canon IV.19.10).
Advisor provided to respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Oct. 11, 2024
Intake report forward to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Oct. 31, 2024
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Contact:
The Rev. Barbara Kempf

Title IV Intake Officer for Bishops

Click here