NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
July 14, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 14, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ — Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog for the Episcopal Church, today demanded accountability for those allegedly responsible for a series of sexual assaults at St. Thomas Fifth Avenue. The parish is an Anglo-Catholic flagship parish in the Episcopal Church.

The group’s concerns center around allegations that two men, one a priest and the other a layperson, engaged in sexual assault and battery involving an adult male victim. As a result, both were allegedly arrested and now face criminal charges.

When the victim complained to the parish and the Diocese of New York, he experienced retaliation, including a smear campaign from St. Thomas’ and efforts to bar the victim from all Episcopal churches in the Diocese.

Today, both perpetrators are allowed on the St. Thomas campus and face no consequences. Indeed, the priest in question recently sent a weekly email update to the entire parish.

“We are shocked and appalled at the lack of accountability,” says Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti.

“It beggars belief that a priest can engage in unwanted sexually oriented behavior and face no consequences,” Bonetti continues.

“Even worse, a lack of consequences and the church’s retaliation undercuts efforts to teach children that certain parts of our bodies cannot be touched without our permission.

“To be clear: Sexual harassment and unwanted touching are always wrong, no matter the victim’s gender. And we will not tolerate retaliation against persons who report misconduct.

“We demand accountability, including the barring of both perpetrators from the St. Thomas campus,” concludes Bonetti.

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

SOURCE Anglican Watch

CONTACT:  Eric Bonetti, 240 744-7524, eric@anglicanwatch.com