NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
Sept. 2, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 2, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ — Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church, today sharply criticized DeDe Duncan-Probe, the Episcopal Bishop for Central New York, for knowingly ignoring the provisions of the church’s Title IV clergy disciplinary canons. The move follows Duncan-Probe’s decision to dismiss a Title IV clergy disciplinary complaint against the Rev. Rebecca Roberts, rector of St. Peter’s, located in Casenovia, NY, over allegations that she non-sexually abused a female parishioner.

“The intake officer’s report claims to have found no evidence of abuse,” said Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti. “But the canons expressly preclude any consideration at intake as to the accuracy of the underlying claim. The intake officer is allowed to make one determination, and one determination only: Assuming the matters complained of are true, would they be material violations of church canons?”

“In the current case, the complainant has said that Roberts has abused her, including making false claims that the complainant threatened her. Assuming these claims to be accurate, they are per se violations of the canons and the case must go forward,” Bonetti continued.

“And while it is clear to us that intake officer the Rev. Julie Calhoun-Bryant lacks Title IV training, we have notified her, Canon to the Ordinary Megan Castellan, and Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe that the intake officer’s report is, itself, a violation of church canons. Despite our warning, the Diocese moved forward with its decision to dismiss the complaint.

“It brings discredit on the church and all involved when, as here, Diocesan judicatories choose to ignore the plain language of church canons,” Bonetti continued.

“Moreover, the church has not provided a pastoral response, which is a top priority at all stages of the Title IV process.

“Most importantly, the church is missing an opportunity to live into its mission of fostering health, wholeness, and reconciliation by brushing aside this matter,” Bonetti added.

“It is no wonder the Episcopal Church is in precipitous decline when it cannot act with integrity, even when dealing with its own members,” Bonetti concluded.

Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. Founded in 2015, the organization addresses sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.

SOURCE Anglican Watch

CONTACT:  Eric Bonetti, 240-380-2567, eric@anglicanwatch.com