{"id":144198,"date":"2026-03-26T17:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T21:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=144198"},"modified":"2026-03-27T06:36:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:36:59","slug":"tlc-acna-commissions-postmortem-of-ruch-title-iv-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=144198","title":{"rendered":"(TLC) ACNA Commissions Postmortem of Ruch Title IV Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The province\u2019s intent to exclude the trial court\u2019s processes from the coming review represents a source of \u201cdeep concerns\u201d for the Anglicans for Truth, Renewal, and Accountability<\/a> (ATRA), a grassroots group formed in 2025. A December open letter<\/a> issued by ATRA, which gathered over 200 clergy and lay signatures, called for an independent post-trial review with a clear scope and a promise of eventual publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a March 25 statement<\/a>, ATRA echoed the Diocese of South Carolina in calling for the Executive Committee to publish its contract with Lathrop GPM \u201cto answer some important remaining questions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho will have control over the final report? Will the final report be made public? Does the firm hired have a fiduciary duty to the Province, meaning \u2018a legal duty to act solely in another party\u2019s interests,\u2019 which constrains the firm\u2019s ability to pursue truth independently? Who will have access to and control over the information gathered by the firm?\u201d the ATRA statement asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Harris, the province intends to publicize the findings of the report, though has not determined in what format. It does not intend to publish its contract with Lathrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACNAtoo, the advocacy group formed in 2021 in response to allegations of abuse in Bishop Ruch\u2019s diocese, criticized<\/a> the denomination\u2019s choice of Lathrop to conduct the review. The group called Lathrop\u2019s participation \u201cinappropriate\u201d in light of the firm\u2019s \u201cdeficiencies\u201d in investigating sexual misconduct allegations<\/a> against Mike Bickle, former leader of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City; its legal defense of Roman Catholic bishops and dioceses in civil sexual assault cases; and its use of \u201cscorched earth\u201d tactics against victims described by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roes, VandeHei, and Price also stated concern to TLC regarding Lathrop\u2019s \u201ctrack record of defending religious institutions in sexual abuse lawsuits,\u201d and expressed a desire for those overseeing the post-trial review to work to earn the confidence of the church\u2019s members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

New for @Livng_Church<\/a>: Lathrop will review the process that ended in a controversial acquittal of Bp Stewart Ruch, but the court record of the ACNA's chaotic trial will remain under wraps.https:\/\/t.co\/kFRSWZZjbx<\/a><\/p>— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>