"Regrettably, the investigation has revealed conclusively that Father Moquin, on multiple occasions, violated these policies. In addition, there were actions by Father Moquin (related to these incidents) that violated both the canons of the church and were conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy.

"Last week Father Moquin was advised in detail regarding the results of our investigation. I also outlined for him a possible Submission to Discipline plan that - while significant - would have allowed him to resume his ministry in a few years. Instead, Father Moquin has made the decision to leave the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Church. The Church's canons dictate that in these circumstances a priest shall be deposed. Sadly, this is the case with Father Moquin."

Mathes said he could not fully disclose all the details as innocent people would be seriously harmed if all of the facts were to be made public. "Those individuals must be protected by your Vestry and me."

Reached at his office, a spokesman for the bishop would not elaborate on what the exact the nature of these charges was, and if they were sexual.

However, in a letter released to VOL by Fr. Moquin, he flatly denies any kind of allegations of impropriety made against him.

In his letter to Tony Vanaria, Senior Warden and vestry members of St. Michaels By-the-Sea, Fr. Moquin wrote, "I have been cleared of any legal culpability from the allegations brought against me; they were unfounded. It has become clear, however, that it will not be possible to expedite a 'conclusion' as it relates to The Episcopal Church to satisfy Bishop Mathes.

"I believe it serves no purpose to impose on the parish or my family any further energy in this battle without causing more pain and undergoing great expense. Therefore, I hereby submit my resignation as Rector of St. Michael's By-the-Sea, effective this date. I will be accepting the early retirement offered by the Church Pension Fund and have transferred out of the Episcopal Church."

Following his dismissal, Fr. Moquin told a group of orthodox Anglican clergy in the San Diego area that any allegations of impropriety made against him "were defeated by professional outside sources."

"I stand behind Neal in all of this and so do our San Diego Anglican clergy," Fr. Joe Rees, rector of Grace Anglican Church, told VOL.

Another person close to the situation told VOL that if the Bishop can force out the duly elected and popular rector, then there is no good outcome for St. Michael's. "He [Moquin] has had a summer from Hell."

Moquin confirmed to VOL that the unspecified charges had nothing to do with trying to lead his orthodox parish out of the diocese. "That was never an issue," he told VOL.

Fr. Moquin is now under the ecclesiastical authority of The Rt. Rev. Daren K. Williams Diocese of the West, ACA. In an e-mail to VOL, Williams said Fr. Moquin has been received in the Diocese of the West as a priest in good standing. "I have no reason to question his integrity in any regard."

The Anglican Church in America, a continuing Anglican jurisdiction is under The Rt. Rev. George D. Langberg, ACA Vice-President, and is the American branch of the Australian-based Traditional Anglican Communion.

He said he had no immediate plans to start another congregation. "One of the reasons I joined the ACA/TAC is keep my military status and chaplain (US Navy Reserves)." As a chaplain he would now be under TAC Bishop David L. Moyer who still resides in a TEC parish in the Diocese of Pennsylvania - the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont.

"A lot of healing needs to take place before I make another move to form a new parish," he told VOL.

Fr. Moquin, when asked, said he is not opposed to the personal ordinariate offered by the Roman Catholic Church, but wants to wait and see how it all plays out.

His former parish is now in the hands of his curate who is now priest-in-charge, Fr. Doran Stanbaugh.

Ten of the 40 parishes in the liberal diocese of San Diego have left The Episcopal Church.

END