Julia: "He robbed her of her youth."

Julia's daughter was sexually abused by Bennison starting when the girl was 14, often in the St. Mark's Church office in Upland in the choir loft -- and it continued for four years.

Julia's not using her last name to protect her daughter's identity, and today, we broke the news to her that Bennison's being removed from ministry.

Julia, victim's mother: "Oh, it's vindication at last, you know. It is wonderful to feel that she has been believed. I have been believed."

Church documents show that even though he was married, Bennison had sexual relationships with other vulnerable women at St. Mark's, including a 35-year-old mother of three going through a divorce.

The behavior continued at All Saints By The Sea in Santa Barbara with a 21-year-old who went to Bennison for marriage counseling. The documents also show he paid for an abortion for an 18-year-old girl with church money.

Bennison even took a 19-year-old from the church youth group he led to bed with his first wife.

Muriel, Bennison victim: "Being young, I was still used to doing what someone in authority tells you to do. You know, you don't think of saying no."

Muriel asked us not to use her last name or show her face. She's concerned about the repercussions of speaking out. One time when they were alone, Muriel says the priest tied her face down on the bed and forced himself on her.

Muriel, Bennison victim: "I did tell him 'no'. I did tell him I didn't like it, but he did it anyway. And then afterwards, he'd be all, 'I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself.'"

Through his secretary, Bennison declined to comment on the complaints or his suspension today. But it came as welcome news to the man who's been organizing protests at St. John's, by the Survivors Network Of Those Abused By Priests.

Joey Piscatelli, clergy abuse activist: "We're really happy for the victims. They're finally seeing justice after all these years. We're proud of them for coming forward."

Joey Piscatelli says the Bishop of California, San Francisco's William Swing, should have removed the priest after a church investigation in 1993 revealed all the complaints.

Swing put out a letter last week, finally calling on Bennison to resign. The reason? "Nothing is to be gained by feeding the media." Swing praised Bennison for "his unblemished record of conduct here."

But the I-Team has checked the file from Bennison's second divorce. It shows that just two years ago his wife had to go to court to get him to pay child support. He was $2,600 behind, even though he was making the payments on his Porsche Boxster.

The file also shows Bennison's oldest daughter petitioned the court to live with her mother full-time, citing what she called the priest's "fits of temper ... which at times frighten me."

Cathy Pinnell: "I was shocked, I was outraged."

Cathy Pinnell was St. John's Church school director. Bennison performed her wedding ceremony.

She's angry that Bishop Swing knew all the sordid details and did nothing.

Cathy Pinnell, former St. John's parishioner: "They allowed him to continue in the same role. It's just absurd. It makes me sick."

Bishop Swing refused to be interviewed for this story. The final details of Bennison's departure are being worked out. The bishop of Los Angeles has given him the choice of renouncing his vows voluntarily or being kicked out -- what the church calls "deposed." Either way, he's gone from St. John's.

LOS ANGELES: John Bennison Removed from Ministry

SNAP Press Release
6/9/2006

Statement Regarding the Removal of Reverend John Bennison, Episcopalian Pastor of St. John's Parish, Clayton, CA

We are grateful that Episcopalian Bishop Bruno of Los Angeles has chosen to exercise his authority by removing Fr. Bennison from the ministry. It is, however, a long overdue step. Bennison's documented history of abuse has been known for nearly 30 years.

SNAP has always maintained that like Catholic Bishops, Episcopalian Bishops have the power to suspend abusers. Bishop Swing initially relied upon church technicalitys to avoid this decision. Bishops cannot wash their hands of their obligations to protect the vulnerable in their flock.

Children are safer today because of the courage of Bennison's survivors. Now, it is crucial that religious leaders and Episcopalian laity continue that courage by reporting any suspicions about sex abusers to civil law enforcement authorities. In particular, we call upon Bishop. Swing to reach out to possible victims or witnesses of crimes committed by Bennison, so that authorities can prosecute any crimes that fall within the criminal statues.

Children are safest when molesters are behind bars. When a molester escapes being prosecuted, and is able to sidestep the legal system, it is up to responsible people with positions of authority to protect children.

END

FAMILY STATEMENT

I am the mother of the 14 year old girl who was secretly and systematically used, emotionally and sexually, by The Rev. John Bennison for all her high school years. My daughter, myself, and my family did not initiate this public disclosure and in fact were deeply distressed regarding it. Nevertheless it happened and we will stand up and be counted and not allow this man to prevail in his selective account.

This is not the first time that disclosure was made outside the family. The first time was in 1993 when my daughter, with my support and presence, sought justice through the hierarchy of the Episcopal Church. There were numerous meetings with bishops and other clergy. At that time Bishop Swing, contrary to his statement, was fully participatory and informed of every sordid detail. It was deeply disappointing that based on what he knew as fact he did not call for John Bennison's resignation 13 years ago.

In 1993 when there was a further disclosure at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Upland where the abuse had taken place, my daughter heard in open meeting from a parishioner - a respected lay leader - the accusation that it was her fault, her responsibility for what transpired. So letters from John Bennison's supporters attacking her motives and calling for her and our family and other victims to "move on" are not new.

What is new is that now through the investigative reporter Dan Noyes, and the powerful tool of the internet, we are hearing from those who respect and defend her as a minor who was deeply wounded by a priest of the Episcopal Church.

Today, 13 years later, after praising John Bennison's good works, Bishop Swing has finally asked for his resignation for "the good of the church". It appears that this is not prompted by crimes committed but by the public relations debacle and the stain on his, Bishop Swing's, reputation on the eve of his retirement. He also called for an investigation, a repeat of what has already taken place in 1993. Why?

We are fully aware of J.B.'s many gifts. that is why we trusted him, why he was able to do what he did, why he is still a priest today, and why he has successfully deceived his first wife, his second wife, and presumably his third wife. He is a master manipulator.

My daughter is powerful in the faith and she does not need me, her mother, to speak for her. She can, and has, spoken for herself. She has already walked through the valley of the shadow of death and emerged victorious. She cannot be hurt any longer by the persuasion and seduction and monstrous hypocrisy of John Bennison, nor of his admirers. She is not vengeful and has long ago forgiven this man. On my last visit, I saw posted in her kitchen:

"The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17.

This is a faith that can move mountains and I pray that this is a faith that will result in the removal of John Bennison from the ministry. I only regret that my husband who died without seeing justice done could be alive today to stand with the rest of us in this confrontation.

END