Bishop to Be Punished for Affair
A special panel of Episcopal bishops has announced that Bishop Charles I. Jones III of Montana warrants punishment for “sexual exploitation” of a female parishioner in Kentucky almost 20 years ago. The panel will reconvene Jan. 30 to consider whether to oust, suspend or reprimand him.
Jones had a sexual relationship with a married woman in 1981-83 while a pastor in Russellville, Ky. When the woman complained in 1993, the church’s then-national leader, Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning, directed Jones to take a leave, get counseling and make amends.
When Jones admitted the misconduct before a church court last summer, he contended that the church could not administer further punishment, but the panel rejected that “double jeopardy” claim in an 8-1 vote.
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