The Diocese of Lexington issued a statement yesterday on its blog revealing that Bishop Hahn intentionally withheld information about an affair with a parishioner from the bishop search committee. Hahn was elected and ordained bishop of the diocese in 2012. As we earlier reported, he has been suspended for one year without pay by the Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry.
From the diocese’s March 24 blog post:
Douglas Hahn has been suspended for one year from his duties as Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington and from ordained ministry, effective March 9, 2016.
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, working through the canonical disciplinary and pastoral processes of the Church, took this action after learning that Hahn had a sexual relationship with an adult female parishioner and intentionally withheld this information when seeking the position of bishop. Hahn has admitted to these charges against him. He and Bishop Curry have reached an official “Accord” or agreement providing for terms of the suspension.
The Standing Committee, which is the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in the absence of a bishop, acknowledges that the relationship between the Diocese and Hahn has been seriously strained by Hahn’s actions.
The committee, “with the assistance of the Presiding Bishop’s office, has already begun the process of discerning the selection of a bishop to serve the Diocese of Lexington during the suspension.”
The standing committee first met on March 17 to discuss the matter.
See the Café’s report from March 22, Bishop Hahn “steps away” for a period of “repentance, retreat and reflection”