Episcopal Press and News

Update: Bishop Jones of Montana Faces Trial

Episcopal News Service. November 15, 2000 [2000-200]

The trial of Bishop Charles Jones of Montana will be held in Minneapolis on November 20, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of Gethsemane, not St. Mark's Cathedral, as previously reported. Church of Gethsemane is located at 905 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis.

Jones was charged with Immorality and Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy under the church's Title IV, Canon 1, for engaging in a sexual relationship with a parishioner who was also an employee of the parish. The issue of whether his conduct constitutes Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy has been decided in the affirmative by the Court for the Trial of a Bishop. The trial will address only the issue of whether Bishop Jones was disciplined for those charges in 1993 and 1994, and will not directly address the conduct that gave rise to the charge.

The court is providing an area for members of the press who wish to cover the trial, although no photography will be allowed. Local arrangements are being handled in cooperation with the Rev. Sandra Wilson, rector of the Church of Gethsemane. Accreditation for press is being handled by Jim Solheim and Jan Nunley at the Office of News and Information of the Episcopal Church Center in New York (tel. 212-922-5383).