Church rector resigns after confession

FOR THE RECORD

A story Tuesday, “Church rector resigns after confession,” should have said the rector’s wife, the Rev. Grace Veena Bunyan, will continue to serve as St. James Anglican Church’s pastor for women’s ministries.

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St. James Anglican Church in Newport Beach announced the resignation of head rector Rev. Praveen Bunyan on Monday, declaring in a written statement that he had confessed to inappropriate conduct toward a female adult parishioner.

“I have made a grave error in judgment and take full responsibility for what I have done,” Bunyan said Monday by phone. “I have committed a serious indiscretion in my conduct with a female member of the congregation for which I am truly sorry and seek forgiveness from God, my family, my colleagues, staff members of the church and, importantly, the aggrieved individual.”

After receiving information of the misconduct, the vestry, wardens and bishop led an investigation into the matter and accepted Bunyan’s resignation last week. The church notified its 1,200-member congregation during Sunday’s services.

Bunyan said he and his family have begun the process of healing and restoration, and he asked for the continued support of his friends, family and the community as they move forward.

Bunyan, who joined the congregation in January of 2003, led the church as it disassociated itself from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and joined with the Anglican Province of Uganda, Diocese of Luweero in 2004.

At that time, Bunyan stated the Episcopal Church had “moved away from the message that is at the core of our faith,” and was ambiguous on Jesus Christ’s position as the only Lord and Savior.

Surprised and disappointed by the decision of the St. James congregation, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles sued the church and two others claiming that St. James Church did not have a right to its Via Lido property. In January 2006, an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of St. James Church.

Rector emeritus Rev. Canon David Anderson and associate rector Rev. Richard Menees will assume pastoral duties at the church.

Bunyan’s wife, Rev. Grace Veena Bunyan, formerly served as the church’s pastor for women’s ministries.