Our news page features abuse-related ACNA news and updates with commentary written by the ACNAtoo team.
Rev. Dan Claire’s Petition Denied
On November 6, 2023, the ACNA released a document from the Provincial Tribunal which shows that in April 2023 Rev. Claire petitioned the Tribunal for an “end to all judicial proceedings related to the complaints raised in 2020 and 2021 or claims similar thereto.”
Board of Inquiry announces second ecclesiastical trial for Bishop Stewart Ruch
On November 6, 2023, the ACNA Province announced that a Board of Inquiry appointed by Archbishop Foley Beach found probable cause to present Bp. Stewart Ruch of the ACNA Diocese of the Upper Midwest (UMD) for an ecclesiastical trial for violation of Canons IV.2.4 and IV.2.10, as laid out in a presentment brought by three bishops on December 23, 2022.
Bp. Ruch’s Ecclesiastical Trial
On August 15, 2023 the ACNA Province released two announcements regarding Stewart Ruch, Bishop of the ACNA Diocese of the Upper Midwest (UMD). The first was a declaration from the Board of Inquiry that Bp. Ruch is headed for an ecclesiastical trial. The second was an update on the two presentments brought against Bp. Ruch.
Survivors Suffer As Bishops Battle: A Statement on the ACNA Crisis of Governance
Can there be meaningful accountability for leaders accused of mishandling abuse, waging covert warfare against survivors, and committing gross negligence of their pastoral duties? Or will personal influence, infighting, partisanship, and cronyism gain the spotlight? Canonical processes and procedures have a purpose: to safeguard the people and protect the life of the church from that which could hinder it.
Rivera Takes Plea Deal in Rape Case
Rivera was charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault of a victim unable to give knowing consent. Today he agreed to a plea deal for one of the charges and will accept a 6-year sentence per that deal.
ACNAtoo 2022-2023: Whistleblowers, Warnings, and What You Can Do
ACNAtoo was launched in June 2021 in response to the pleas of survivors of sexual abuse and their advocates in the ACNA Diocese of the Upper Midwest. We now exist to support survivors reporting abuse in all dioceses of the ACNA. After a busy year, we’re looking back on the events of 2022 and looking forward with hope to the year ahead.
Statement on the Recent Challenge to Helen Keuning’s Testimony
On Thursday, November 3, ACNAtoo received documentation and an assertion from Church of the Resurrection Deacon Will Chester challenging the veracity of an entry in our recent Timeline installment.
This statement addresses that challenge in depth, starting with the events that led us to include the testimony in question in our Timeline.
Re-release of the ACNA Husch Blackwell Report
This is a re-release of the Husch Blackwell report. The report remains unchanged except for additional redactions to protect sensitive personal and identifying survivor information.
Rivera’s trial resumes again
Mark Rivera’s bench trial will resume on Friday, October 14, at the Kane Co. Judicial Center, over 41 months since the young girl’s parents notified police of Mark’s alleged sexual abuse. This will be the 46th scheduled court appearance for this family in their journey through the criminal justice system.
Rivera’s Trial Resumes
Mark Rivera’s bench trial will resume on September 29, over fifteen weeks after the trial began on July 12.
Why We’re Here: A Reminder on the Forthcoming Report
With Husch-Blackwell’s redacted investigative report soon to be publicly available, ACNAtoo would like to offer a reminder of our primary concerns regarding this investigation.
Rivera’s Trial Delayed Again
Mark Rivera’s bench trial was postponed again on September 2 when the defense did not conclude their case. It will resume on September 29, over twelve weeks after the trial began on July 12.
ACNAtoo Statement on the SBC Report
ACNAtoo stands in solidarity with the survivors of abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention.
A Resignation Letter from 3 Members of the Provincial Response Team
Today the following letter was provided to an ACNAtoo survivor advocate (with permission to share and publish as they saw fit) by Autumn Hanna VandeHei, the Rev. Gina Roes, LCMHC; and Christen Price, JD; former members of the Provincial Response Team. It was written with the support of Executive Committee member Albert Thompson and is published in its entirety below as the authors wish for their concerns to be shared widely.
A Response to the Provincial Investigation
Survivors’ concerns regarding Husch Blackwell remain firmly in place as the ACNA has not agreed to publish the contract they will sign with the investigator. While the ACNA has included a few of the requested best practices in their announcement, they have neglected some of the most pivotal items that ensure the safety of the rest.