ACNA Bishop Stewart Ruch, Accused of Spiritual Abuse, Ends Voluntary Leave

Ruch had stepped down after admitting serious mistakes in responding to abuse in his diocese. He still faces an investigation into alleged spiritual abuse.

By Bob Smietana

A controversial and popular bishop in the Anglican Church of North America has decided to return from a voluntary leave of absence by the end of October, despite an ongoing investigation into spiritual abuse allegations.

“I am writing to inform you that Bishop Stewart Ruch has decided to come off his voluntary leave of absence and he has chosen to return to the diocese in his capacity as Bishop of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest on October 30, 2022,” Archbishop Foley Beach said in a letter to ACNA members on Friday (Oct. 21).

Ruch stepped away from leadership in July of 2021, after admitting he had made “regrettable errors” in responding to allegations of sexual abuse by a lay minister in the diocese. Read More