Disgraced Anglican priest back at Nova Scotia parish

After seven years of therapy and following consultation with high-ranking church officials, an Anglican priest who was convicted of indecent assault more than a dozen years ago, is back at his Nova Scotia parish, but with restricted duties.

Rev. Ron Cutler, a bishop of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, told Postmedia News that Rev. Wayne Lynch has been permitted to celebrate the Eucharist at Annapolis Royal’s St. Luke’s Anglican Parish. Lynch returned to the parish two years ago and performs some duties every second month.

“He is permitted to preach, but has very rarely done so. He is permitted to baptize, marry or conduct funerals. Once again, this would be at the request of the rector of the parish,” cutler wrote in an email. “To my knowledge, he has not led either of these liturgies, although he has assisted.”

His return is generating controversy within the congregation. Lynch’s friend, Leslie Marcus, said he’s been “told that some members of his church are disturbed about his connection with the church.”

“But isn’t there such a thing as forgiveness?” said Marcus, a 74-year-old retired university professor. While Marcus said he does not condone what Lynch did — “molesting a young person” in the 1970s — he said he’s surprised the issue is being brought up decades later. “He’s paid his price, his dues to society.”

A reconciliation process between Lynch and his diocese began seven years ago, Cutler said, when Lynch was given onetime permission to celebrate at a Eucharist service with then-nova Scotia and P.E.I. Bishop Fred Hiltz, who is now the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, to mark the 90th birthday of Lynch’s mother.

In a May 25, 2005 letter to Anglican clergy in his diocese, Hiltz wrote of his intention to invite Lynch to attend the service at St. Luke’s Church.

In the letter, Hiltz referred to Lynch’s 1999 charges and conviction of “indecent assault arising from incidents dating back some 20 years.” Lynch received a conditional sentence of two years less a day and an 18-month probationary period. He completed the sentence and participated in ongoing therapeutic counselling, Hiltz wrote.

Meanwhile, Cutler said Lynch’s reconciliation process with the Anglican Church has included therapy, mentoring by the parish rector and regular consultation with the diocesan bishop.