{"id":142832,"date":"2026-01-26T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=142832"},"modified":"2026-01-26T18:43:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T23:43:51","slug":"rns-after-bishop-ruchs-acquittal-acna-grapples-with-trial-implications-and-looks-to-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=142832","title":{"rendered":"(RNS) After Bishop Ruch’s acquittal, ACNA grapples with trial implications and looks to reform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

[Audrey] Luhmann said the report by Husch Blackwell <\/a>found Ruch sent emails attempting to coordinate legal representation for Rivera and authorized the priest at Rivera\u2019s church to ask the victim\u2019s family about dropping charges against Rivera, but specifying it should be done without pressure. But the court, which assigned minimal weight to that report, describes Ruch\u2019s decisions at the time as \u201cpastoral judgment exercised in real time, without the benefit of hindsight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The order also acknowledged that Ruch ordained<\/a> Presbyterian Pastor Joshua Moon to the priesthood in 2020, despite knowing<\/a> that Moon previously pleaded guilty to and served a 90-day sentence for attempting to solicit a prostitute<\/a>. Ruch installed Moon as rector of a church plant, where Moon was later suspended from pastoral ministry for life after a female deacon reported him<\/a> for making an unwanted sexual advance. The female deacon told The Washington Post that Ruch chastised her for being alone with Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe outcome of Moon\u2019s ministry, while grievous and contrary to the hopes invested in him, does not negate the thoughtful, conscientious, and vigilant approach Bishop Ruch employed with the information available at the time,\u201d the court wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person <\/strong>who assisted the prosecution acknowledged that whether the evidence against Ruch met the clear and convincing threshold for conviction was a legitimate question but said it was incorrect to claim there was no evidence. The source asked to be referred to anonymously due to concerns about negative repercussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey should have seen a pattern of failing to properly vet and have accountability for these leaders in his diocese,\u201d the person said. They also said fear of retribution and lack of legal authority in the church court to subpoena witnesses or materials created barriers for calling witnesses; The Living Church\u00a0reported<\/a>\u00a0that other witnesses disputed the court\u2019s characterization of their knowledge of Ruch\u2019s conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>

As the denomination looks ahead to two additional bishops\u2019 trials, the precedents set by the Ruch trial will have substantial bearing on the upcoming proceedings. https:\/\/t.co\/zHTGehgzWj<\/a><\/p>— RNS (@RNS) January 24, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>