The Episcopal Church provides a process for addressing concerns regarding clergy misconduct – which includes violations of the canons or of ordination vows. This is described in the Episcopal Church canons under Title IV. Summaries and explanations of this process can be found at Understanding Title IV: An Information Resource of the Ecclesiastical Discipline of The Episcopal Church, and on our diocesan website at Clergy Disciplinary Process in the Diocese of Newark.
The starting point for the Title IV process, when someone has a complaint or concern about a deacon or priest in the diocese, is to contact an Intake Officer. I serve as one Intake Officer, in my role as Canon to the Ordinary, as Canon Jacobs did before me. The Rev. Susan Chrystal served as an additional Intake Officer for a number of years. She retired from this role in early 2023, with Bishop Hughes’ gratitude for her work.
On November 2, 2023, Bishop Hughes appointed the Rev. Anne Kitch, Rector of St. Luke’s, Phillipsburg, as the additional Intake Officer for our diocese. Having more than one Intake Officer allows for more options for those who may have concerns as far as who they contact or who might interview them. Bishop Hughes very much appreciates Mother Kitch’s willingness to serve. You can learn more about her on her parish's website.
Anyone may contact the diocesan Intake Officer to report concerns about the behavior of a member of the clergy (priests, deacons, bishops). To report any concerns, please contact either of us by email or confidential voicemail:
- The Rev. Canon Andrew Wright – awright@dioceseofnewark.org; 973-430-9915
- The Rev. Anne Kitch – akitch@dioceseofnewark.org; 908-520-6966
