They further charge (under Canon 13.3) that he misappropriated and expended other endowment funds of the Diocese, without canonical authority including unrestricted net assets to the tune of $10 million.

Prior to the Special Convention of March of 2006, Bishop Bennison expended an additional $350,000.00 of unrestricted net assets of the Diocese without canonical authority, the Standing Committee said.

"A special audit of a sample of "unrestricted" endowment funds was conducted by an independent auditor which concluded that substantial funds had been improperly withdrawn and used, and recommended that they be repaid," they said.

They also said Bennison, contrary to the Canons of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, repeatedly expended funds ostensibly "for the support of the episcopate" which exceeded the amounts approved by the Standing Committee.

They also said Bennison had systematically dismantled independent controls and oversight of financial matters and withheld important information from those having canonical responsibilities and had refused to consult with others on major decisions which affected the welfare of the Diocese.

"The improper actions of Bishop Bennison created a total breakdown of trust within the Diocese. The consequences of these improper actions threaten the present and future financial stability of all of the ministries of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and the people that they serve."

What is ironic about the Standing Committee's charges is that with all the evil done by Bennison, why did the Standing Committee only go to the Presiding Bishop about complaints over money? Why did they not bring or include charges that he could no longer uphold or defend the faith that he swore to uphold when he was made bishop. Why did they also not include his lies over violating the Parson's Plan that his predecessor struck with the "Seven Sisters" traditionalist parishes allowing them alternative pastoral oversight? And what exactly were the expenditures for? Were they for legal fees that Bennison was and is ante-ing up for lawsuits he was filing and defending?

And what "important information" did Bennison withhold that the Standing Committee charges him with? The Standing Committee had already told Bishop Clayton Matthews, who directs the Office of Pastoral Development for the Presiding Bishop, that Bennison withheld information from them when Bennison was bringing Canon 10 proceedings against the traditionalist parish priest of Good Shepherd, Rosemont, Fr. David Moyer.

There is a double irony in that the Standing Committee now recognizes that even someone like Charles Bennison is entitled to a trial. Unlike what happened to Fr. David Moyer and what the revisionists tried with Bishop John-David Schofield, the Standing Committee is not denying Bennison a trial by saying that he had "abandoned the communion" by doing all the acts they allege in their complaint!

And why did the Standing Committee not add what they have previously said publicly - that Bennison was guilty of fraud, in Bennison's canon 10 proceeding against Fr. David Moyer?

Bennison's failure to consult his Standing Committee, his hubris in handling diocesan matters, his high-handedness in running the diocese, his desire to push gays and lesbian priests into places of leadership, his inability to hold the faith once delivered to the saints, his refusal to discipline theologically or morally wayward priests and his untrustworthiness makes him ineligible to run the diocese any longer.

He has been asked repeatedly to retire or resign by the Standing Committee and he has steadfastly refused to do so, it is now time for Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori, in her first ecclesiastical act, to press the case before the Title IV Review Committee and oust the worthless bishop. She would endear herself forever with the ultra-liberal diocese who might just see in her a "savior" worth following. At the very least it would give the diocese a chance to look for someone who might actually believe in something and somebody other than Bennison and his monumental ego.

END