NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
June 30, 2026
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 30, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog for the Episcopal Church, today issued its strongest possible warning about an alleged pedophile at Trinity Episcopal Church, located in Upperville, VA.
The organization’s warning follows receipt by the organization of complaints from multiple individuals, alleging grooming, boundary violations, and inappropriate touching directed at boys connected with the church. Additionally, the organization has obtained police records and other documentation, including one in which a Faquier County law enforcement officer expressly stated that the behavior in question, in their professional opinion, constitutes grooming.
“To protect others, we are not identifying in this press release the specific person allegedly involved in these issues,” said Anglican Watch official Mark Lowen. “Instead, we are issuing our strongest possible warning about this parish and urge parents to exercise the utmost caution.
“Specific issues flagged by law enforcement include:
1. Inappropriate, sexualized conversations.
2. Encouraging minors to use inappropriate nicknames for an individual in a position of authority.
3. Repeated requests from an adult to keep certain conduct secret from parents.
4. Persistent attempts to get male children to attend sleepovers, even after parents said no.
5. Inappropriate touching.
6. Providing children with alcohol.
“Additionally, there are unproven suggestions that one child may have been given date rape drugs, after they allegedly woke up in questionable circumstances with no recollection of the events leading up to the situation,” Lowen continued.
“We are deeply concerned that, while church officials are aware of this situation, parents have not been notified of these allegations. Not only do parents have a right to this knowledge, but any restrictions on this individual will prove impossible to enforce when parents are unaware of the potential danger.
“To be clear: Officials in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia are fully aware of this situation. And while they have reported the matter to law enforcement, we remind all involved that in some jurisdictions, grooming is itself a criminal offense. Thus, there is no excuse for this person’s continued presence at Trinity.
“Finally, an important reminder: All persons are innocent as a matter of law until found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Moreover, local law enforcement officials have concluded that no criminal conduct has occurred to date and, accordingly, law enforcement has not filed criminal charges.
“That said, we do not believe it is appropriate to wait until criminal conduct occurs,” Lowen concludes. “Parents and the Trinity church vestry have a moral obligation to prevent grooming and possible child sexual abuse.”
A redacted copy of the Faquier County criminal investigative report is included on the Anglican Watch site.
Founded in 2015, Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. The organization addresses sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.
SOURCE Anglican Watch
CONTACT: Mark Lowen, 240-331-6977, editor@anglicanwatch.com