The Rev. William Barto, a canon lawyer who is a priest in the Reformed Episcopal Church, a subjurisdiction of ACNA, said the decision was \u201csorely lacking\u201d from a legal standpoint. He said it \u201creads more like a journal of the trial process\u201d rather than a considered judicial decision, noting that half the document is focused on critiquing ACNA\u2019s response to the allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barto told RNS in an email that the document and the process that led to it \u201cdemonstrates unequivocally that the ACNA can no longer leave ecclesial disciplinary matters on the back shelf.\u201d He said the denomination must determine what role tribunals should play in the disciplinary process: \u201cAre they judges or juries? investigations or trials?\u201d he asked. He called for court members to receive further training in canon law….<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesperson for the denomination confirmed that there is a planned audit of the [Bishop] Ruch trial proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> NEW from me this evening: ACNA Bishop Stewart Ruch found not guilty on all counts. The decision comes more than six years after a 9-year-old child first came forward with sexual abuse allegations against a lay minister in Ruch's diocese. https:\/\/t.co\/yKckPyrY28<\/a><\/p>— Kathryn Post (@kathrynmaepost) December 17, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>