Connecticut Diocese Resolves Clergy Abuse Case

Posted on: October 23, 2020 Religious Institutions Sexual Abuse & Assault

 Connecticut Diocese Resolves Clergy Abuse CaseRev. James Kowalski, the former dean of New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, reached an agreement with the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to resolve an allegation of clergy sexual abuse against him which dates back to 1984. A young woman alleged Kowalski sexually abused her when he came to visit her during her freshman year at college. Kowalski’s connection to the alleged victim started when he was a newly ordained priest at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, Connecticut, when the complainant was in middle school. At the time of the alleged abuse, Kowalski was serving at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Hartford.

In July 2020, Kowalski reached an Accord with the bishop of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut that outlined his offenses under Title IV of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. The disciplinary system, defined as Title IV Canons, was created in 1994 and took effect in 1996. The aim was to unify the disciplinary process across all the dioceses.

The specific offenses, Title IV.4.1(h)(9) and Title IV.4.1(h)(1) stated by the Church Attorney are:

The Reverend James Kowalski knowingly, intentionally, and willfully engaged in acts constituting Sexual Misconduct in violation of Title IV, Canon IV. 4.1(h) (1).

The Reverend James Kowalski knowingly, intentionally and willfully engaged in acts constituting Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy in violation of Title IV Canon IV, 4.1(h) (9).

Ian T. Douglas, the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, did not specify what disciplinary actions have been taken. However, he did mention Kowalski was not suspended or defrocked. This is the first known accusation of any sexual misconduct against Kowalski.

The entire article can be viewed here.

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