All clergy use material from one another and read others’ thoughts and sermons on the Sunday lectionary but how much is too much to use?
An Episcopal priest in Massachusetts has been suspended for plagiarizing sermons according to theCape Cod News,:
The Rev. John E. McGinn, 65, who has led the 300-plus families at St. John’s Episcopal Church since 1993, was placed on administrative leave amid allegations that he plagiarized sermons dating back to 2006, said the Rev. Mally Lloyd, canon to the ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, a position equivalent to the bishop’s chief of staff.
As many as 15 sermons have been identified as direct copies, Lloyd said. They were allegedly taken from a book called “Dynamic Preaching,” which can be accessed only with an online subscription.
The bishop’s office pointed out a Dec. 11, 2011, sermon as an example. The sermon is still on the church’s website.