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Episcopal Diocese prosecutes priest
Buffalo News
7/7/2005
An Episcopal priest accused of wrongdoing in Batavia has been issued a "presentment" - akin to a civil indictment in the judicial proceedings of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York.
A diocesan review committee voted last week to move ahead with proceedings against the Rev. Simon B. Howson, former rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia. Howson has been accused of larceny, scheming to defraud, misrepresenting himself, and making lewd and lascivious remarks.
Bishop J. Michael Garrison suspended Howson from the ministry last October.
In November, Howson lodged a State Supreme Court lawsuit, claiming his suspension was retaliation for accusing another priest of sexual harassment.
Howson's lawyer, Andrew Fleming, said he would defend against the church charges and continue pursuing the claim against the diocese.
The case against Howson is headed to trial in a diocesan Ecclesiastical Court. If found guilty, he could be removed from the priesthood of the Episcopal Church.
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