Title IV Cases Involving Bishops

To encourage public awareness of and transparency in the Title IV process, the procedural progress of Title IV matters involving bishops will be disclosed in the following situations:

  • A matter becomes public such that disclosure of its procedural progress is warranted–as decided by the presiding bishop. (See Canon IV.6.11, Canon IV.7.9, Canon IV.8.3, and Canons IV.4.13.) Such cases are posted below.
  • A matter reaches a hearing panel, at which point the canons require the public disclosure of all documents filed with, or issued by, the hearing panel or by any party or person. (Canon IV.13.3.) Such documents are posted here.

Current Cases

(Click on a document title for the full document.)

Bishop Prince Singh (Abusive Behavior)

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of abusive behavior against the Rt. Rev. Prince Singh

June 19, 2023
Intake officer recused; intake officer-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.b, Canon IV.19.14.a).

Information provided to intake officer-designate (Canon IV.6.2).

July 11, 2023
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

July 12, 2023
Advisors provided to complainants and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

July 20, 2023
Presiding bishop recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, Canon IV.19.24).

July 27, 2023
Complainants challenged suitability of presiding bishop-designate (Canon IV.19.14.a).

Aug. 7, 2023
Second presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon.IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.24).

Sept. 7, 2023
Presiding bishop-designate issued restriction on ministry to respondent (Canon IV.7.3-4, Canon IV.17.2).

Oct. 18, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for possible accord (Canon IV.6.8.e).

Nov. 3, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Feb. 14, 2024
Reference panel referred matter to conference panel (Canon IV.6.8, Canon IV.12, Canon IV.17.5). 

Bishop Prince Singh (Improper Behavior–Diocese of Rochester)

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of improper behavior in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester against the Rt. Rev. Prince Singh

June 26, 2023
Information provided to intake officer-designate (Canon IV.6.2).

Sept. 22, 2023
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Oct. 3, 2023
Advisors provided to complainants and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Oct. 10, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Bishop John Howard (Discrimination)

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of discrimination against the Rt. Rev. S. John Howard

July 24, 2023
Information provided to newly appointed intake officer (Canon IV.6.2).

Oct. 19, 2023
Presiding bishop recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, and Canon IV.19.24).

Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Advisors provided to complainant and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Nov. 9, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Bishop John Howard (Financial)

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of a financial nature against the Rt. Rev. S. John Howard

Aug. 11, 2023
Information provided to newly appointed intake officer (Canon IV.6.2).

Oct. 19, 2023
Presiding bishop recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, and Canon IV.19.24).

Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Advisers provided to complainant and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Nov. 9, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of misconduct by the Rt. Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler

Sept. 19, 2023
Information provided to intake officer (Canon IV.6.2).

Oct. 12, 2023
Vice president of House of Bishops, performing role of presiding bishop in disciplinary matters, issued restriction on ministry to respondent (Canon IV.7.3-4, Canon IV.17.2, and Canon IV.19.24).

Oct. 13, 2023
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7).

Oct. 14, 2023
Vice president of House of Bishops lifted restriction on ministry and placed respondent on administrative leave (Canon IV.7.3-4, Canon IV.7.6).

Advisors provided to complainant and respondent (Canon IV.19.10).

Oct. 19, 2023
Reference panel referred matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

March 21, 2024
Accord reached by presiding bishop-designate and respondent.  (Canon IV.9.1)

March 26, 2024
Accord approved by Disciplinary Board for Bishops.  (Canon IV.17.9)

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Bishop Todd Ousley

Procedural chronology in the Title IV matter involving allegations of misconduct against the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry and the Rt. Rev. S. Todd Ousley

Dec. 28, 2023
Letter from complainants to bishops providing information (Canon IV.6.2).

Jan. 10, 2024
Vice president of House of Bishops, performing role of presiding bishop in disciplinary matters, recused; presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.14.a, and Canon IV.19.24).

Jan. 18, 2024
Intake officer recused; intake officer-designate appointed (Canon IV.17.2.b, Canon IV.19.14.a).

Information provided to intake officer-designate (Canon IV.6.2).

Feb. 24, 2024
Suitability of presiding bishop-designate challenged (Canon IV.19.14.a).

Feb. 25, 2024
Intake report forwarded to reference panel (Canon IV.6.7)

Feb. 29, 2024
Second presiding bishop-designate appointed (Canon.IV.17.2.c, Canon IV.19.24).

March 14, 2024
Reference panel referred the matter for investigation (Canon IV.6.8.c).

Contact:
The Rev. Barbara Kempf

Title IV Intake Officer for Bishops

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