The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has deposed a bishop who formerly led a chaplaincy group that tried to break away from the theologically conservative denomination. Bishop Derek Jones, the former head of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (JAFC), was removed from ministry last week, the ACNA College of Bishops announced.
The decision came after the ACNA Court for the Trial of a Bishop found Jones guilty of four charges of violating canon law, according to the announcement. “The pain and destruction to these chaplains and their families is loathsome, and we are deeply ashamed and lament that members of this body who knew about this behavior neither urgently nor robustly addressed concerns and complaints regarding Mr. Jones,” the College of Bishops said.
“While we understand that we are unable to fully expunge the pain, destruction, and despair inflicted upon the lives of those who suffered, the College is undertaking a process by which chaplains may obtain canonical and pastoral restoration.” The bishops contend that "over a period of many years,” Jones “offended against God and the Body of Christ through acts of wickedness, cruelty, and abuse of power against chaplains with limited recourse.” “As part of our collective repentance, we recognize the culture of our College must change and we are seeking to understand how this abuse was allowed to happen,” they said.
“Finally, the goal of disciplining a bishop is to protect the sheep and to invite the fallen shepherd to repent. Let us all fix our eyes on Christ Jesus the Good Shepherd under whose authority and care we all stand.” Jones and JAFC launched a new denomination last year, the Anglican Reformed Catholic Church (ARCC), which described itself as providing “a stable ecclesiastical home for those who love Anglican tradition but seek