Canadian bishop suspended from office over allegations of sexual misconduct

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The Bishop of British Columbia reports the suspension this week of the Rt. Rev. Lincoln McKoen, Bishop of the Territory of the People, was for sexual misconduct. 

The Rt. Rev. Anna Greenwood-Lee reported that she had “received notice that Archbishop Lynn McNaughton has, pursuant to canon law, formally inhibited Bishop Lincoln Mckoen from performing any of the duties of his office as bishop of the Territory of the People while allegations of sexual misconduct are being investigated.”

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Most Rev. Linda Nicholls on 3 June 2021 announced Bishop McKoen had been removed from office but offered no further explanation. In a letter to her diocese, Bishop Greenwood-Lee, added further details, but noted “There are no criminal charges in this case.”

The bishop also asked her clergy to keep quiet. “If you receive any media inquiries regarding this matter, please do not engage. Such inquiries can be directed to Archbishop Lynne McNaughton, metropolitan.”

She added: “Please pray for the alleged victim and their family. Because +Lincoln is a former priest of this diocese, I ask you to pray for the people of his former parishes: Christ Church, Alert Bay, and St Peter, Campbell River. Please also pray for the people of the Territory of the People. Finally, please pray for Lincoln and Tanya Mckoen.”