Citing allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct, an Anglican bishop has suspended the lead minister of a year-old church that broke off from the national Episcopal Church, officials said Monday.
The Rev. Lorne Coyle, of Christ Church of Vero Beach, was suspended effective 2 p.m. Sunday because his bishop received an out-of-state woman’s allegations that she and Coyle, who is married, had an affair, said the church’s senior warden, Jim Reamy III.
The bishop, from Virginia, met with Coyle last week in Vero Beach to inform him of the accusation.
On Sunday, Coyle stood in front of the 400-member congregation and confirmed he had sexual relations with an adult women over a period of years, Reamy said. Coyle left the building before the recessional hymn.
This is very sad for all concerned, but why do I need to know this?
Not to sweep misconduct under the bed, but is it necessary to broadcast one man’s failing, and the pain for his family and parish for all the world to see?
I think it is news because the Anglican parishes are seen to have split away from TEc due, in part, to issues of sexual immorality.
Thus, priests in Anglican parishes have got to be VERY careful around temptation right now. The microscope and spotlight are going to be on them constantly. The Bishop is acting properly, IMO.
His deepest humiliation does not part him from Jesus’ love. May God be with him, his family, his congregation, and the woman involved.
Bp Guernsey is indeed a priest to his priests. I heard one of his priests talking about the comparison between Bp Guernsey and his old bishop, Rob O’Neill of Colorado. When the priest spoke to Rob O’Neill about concerns, he was told to make an appointment for the next month (which I was believed delayed to the following month or something like that). In contrast, Bp Guernsey calls back that day or the next.
It is indeed sad for all around, Rev Coyle, his wife, the other woman, and the parishioners. Prayers for healing for all.
I’ll second Robroy’s post, this parish is in good hands with +Guernsey steering them through this unfortunate situation. And I’m glad this is on public display, reasserters can’t be calling out revisionists for hiding embarassing episodes (like the Bennison case) and then do the same with something like this. Kudos to Kendall for making it known in the Anglican community…..
Chris, This case is quite different than the Bennison matter. Bennison involved covering up the misconduct of another. Here there is no allegation of attempts to coverup. This is really about one man’s fall, which he has apparently acknowledged. His bishop is taking appropriate action. What purpose is served by broadcasting this over the internet? Maybe I’m missing something, but this just smacks too much of gossip.
This is healthy for the church. In the past, things like this were wept under the rug. I am sorry for the members of the church who went through this ordeal, but better for it to stop, than be allowed to continue in secret.
Now the healing can begin – for the priest, the woman, the congregation and the church. Before the repentence, nothing could have happened.
We don’t rejoice or celebrate the sin, but we do rejoice and celebrate the redemption that only Jesus can offer. We can only pray for those who are caught in sin to confess, repent and be forgiven. It is a good day when grace and mercy comes.
I imagine it was a really tough call for Kendall to publish this. And yet, it was newsworthy for MSM papers in Florida to pick up the story. Obviously with the issues of sexual morality so entwined in the current Anglican / Episcopal crisis, and also with the reasserters’ calls for repentance, transformation, holy living and transparency, it, sadly, makes what would normally be a private story a public issue.
My prayers for Rev. Coyle and his family and the parish tonight. May the Lord use what the enemy wants to use for evil and turn it into something that will be for good.
It is good to see ACNA parishes taking prompt clear actions on matters of clergy discipline, but so tragic that it is needed, even among some of our flagship leaders. May this news help remind us all of the need to pray for our leaders. They are human and fallible, and I imagine subjects to extra temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. Being a spiritual leader sometimes makes one more vulnerable to temptation, not less.
Painful. I am deeply saddened.
Lorne, you and your family, and the parish (both of them) are in my prayers for God’s strength, comfort, direction and restoration.
Karen B. #8 said it best, period.
This is a bit off-topic, but robroy took it there… I must point out though that robroy #4, you took a cheap shot at +Rob. Most bishops I know do have busy schedules and getting on them is tough, but Bp. O’Neill has been good most of the time at getting back to me on important issues in a timely matter. It’s not always the case, sure, but when those times when I’ve needed him I’ve gotten a cellphone call back within 36 hours. Its just a matter being clear about the priority.
As the topic of the post shows, we are all human and need God’s grace, even and especially to proclaim His gospel. “Led me not into temptation but deliver me from evil…” As Karen says, good to see that the ACNA is avoiding cries of hypocrisy by enforcing swift and loving discipline.
I would like to add to the discussion, that I pray that ACNA also enforces swift and loving reconciliation and restoration within the man’s family and between the man and this parish. The easy part of discipline is over — firing the priest; the hard work of reconciliation and restoration lies ahead. Let’s hope that Bp. Guernsey acts as honorably throughout this difficult and painful period in the life of the priest, his family and the parish.
These promiscuous straights must not be allowed to marry. What loose morals Anglican clergy have!