On December 16, 2025 the Anglican Church in North America's Court for Trial of a Bishop released their verdict for the presentments against Bishop Stewart Ruch: acquitted on all charges. In this episode members of ACNAtoo (Abbi Nye, Audrey Luhmann, Heather Griffin, and Whitney Harrison) discuss their reactions to the verdict and the 71 page trial order the court released. Did the members of the court follow basic due diligence in the process they followed to reach their verdict? Though not comprehensive, this episode hopes to answer that in part, while continuing to point those seeking understanding to the two presentments against Ruch, the detailed timeline of events put together by ACNAtoo, and other documents directing us to Bishop Ruch's actions and demonstrating why there was so very little "firsthand" testimony given in the trial by abuse survivors and whistleblowers in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Provided below are links to a number of those sources.

You can read a transcript of this episode here.

Links and resources referred to in the episode:

The ACNA's landing page for Bishop Ruch's trial can be found here, and the full text of the trial order can be found here.

ACNAtoo's response on the Ruch Verdict

Ruch Acquitted on All Charges—article by Arlie Coles from The Living Church

ACNAtoo's comprehensive timeline of events—Piecing It All Together: Part 01, An Accusation and Arrest (Part 1 of 5)

The texts for the lay presentment against Ruch and the bishops' presentment, and a general page about the presentments from ACNAtoo. Please see the footnotes as the bottom of the lay presentment page for full citations of firsthand sources.

Article by Helen Keuning detailing her accounts of Ruch's leave of absence.

Washington Post article about Bishop Julian Dobbs: "He suspended the archbishop, but faced his own probes — financial ones"

Suspended ACNA Bishop Founds Breakaway Church—article about Bishop Derek Jones and his break away Anglican denomination by Arlie Coles from The Living Church

This episode features another conversation with Sam Lacy—a lawyer and co-author of the lay presentment against Bishop Stewart Ruch—with reactions and reflections about the series of Washington Post articles with allegations toward ACNA archbishop Steve Wood and new revelations from survivors of clergy abuse in Ruch's diocese. Lacy specifically offers his insights about where the church gets off course in its attempt to adhere to the American law system.

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Links to articles referenced in the episode:

Wood Inhibited; Sutton Steps Down

ACNA Archbishop Faces Second Sexual Misconduct Complaint

Second woman says N. American Anglican Church archbishop sexually harassed her

N. American Anglican archbishop suspended after sexual misconduct allegations

Bishop Chip Edgar's pastoral letter #1

Bishop Chip Edgar's pastoral letter #2

ACNA News: Archbishop Wood is Inhibited; Bishop Sutton Resigns as Dean; Bishop Julian Dobbs Appointed Dean of the Province

Bishop Chris Warner's pastoral letter

Quote from Bishop Felix Orji

This episode features a live conversation with members of ACNAtoo responding to the aftermath of the Washington Post articles that have come out by journalist Ian Shapira. Along with details about the articles and the abuse survivors that did not fit into the articles, they also share their insights about what is happening at the provincial level regarding the accusations towards Archbishop Steve Wood and Bishop Ruch's trial. Supporters of ACNAtoo and listeners of the podcast were able to join the conversation and ask questions via the message box. Abbi Nye moderated those questions and was joined by Audrey Luhmann, Heather Griffin, and Conor Hanson. Please note: further accusations and developments have come out since recording this conversation, which is acknowledged in the episode's introduction and referenced in the article links given bellow.

You can read a transcript of this episode here.

Articles from the Washington Post, Living Church, and other sources:

U.S. Anglican Church archbishop accused of sexual misconduct, abuse of power

A bishop’s secret church trial and the U.S. Anglican Church in turmoil

Second woman says N. American Anglican Church archbishop sexually harassed her

N. American Anglican archbishop takes paid leave in wake of allegations

Inhibited Bishop Sues ACNA

Abp Wood Announces Leave of Absence

ACNA Archbishop Faces Second Sexual Misconduct Complaint

Accountability and Discipline of Bishops in the ACNA (from ACNA website)

GAFCON Communique: The Future Has Arrived

No Schadenfreude for the ACNA

In ACNA’s upside-down world, abuse survivors are considered the problem by Abbi Nye

Is the church broken? by Chris Hill

Open letter from victims of Derek Jones to the ACNA

Concerns from my heart about the deep ACNA leadership crisis: Kendall Harmon

Twitter thread from Audrey Luhmann

Twitter thread from Arlie Coles

Twitter thread from "monk of justice"

Twitter thread from Marissa Burt

Episode 14 features the story of Sam Lacy, a lawyer and ACNA churchgoer, who helped to write the lay lead presentment against Bishop Stewart Ruch. While in part about the careful work that went into preparing the presentment document, Sam's story is largely about the frustrations he faced as he sought to bring up Bishop Ruch's actions within his church community, particularly the reactions of his church leaders.

Sam has also played an integral role in podcast host Chris' own story, as this episode details, notably in how that relates to Chris's meeting with his former bishop, which included the other lawyer referenced in the episode's title, the Canon Lawyer in Chris's former diocese.

You can read a transcript of this episode on ACNAtoo's website here.

Please see these articles with explanations and updates (as of September 2025) for Bishop Ruch's Presentment trial:

New Trial Date Announced from ACNAtoo

Ruch Trial Halted By Prosecutor's Resignation by Arlie Coles

Chaotic Ruch Trial On Hold by Arlie Coles

Amid trial crisis, ACNA pushes forward with clergy misconduct overhaul by Katharyn Post

Third prosecutor appointed in ACNA trial of Bishop Ruch by Katharyn Post

Assistant Counsel Releases Details of Court Misconduct from ACNAtoo

Provincial Prosecutor Replaced Again from ACNAtoo

Episode 14 features the story of Sam Lacy, a lawyer and ACNA churchgoer, who helped to write the lay lead presentment against Bishop Stewart Ruch. While in part about the careful work that went into preparing the presentment document, Sam's story is largely about the frustrations he faced as he sought to bring up Bishop Ruch's actions within his church community, particularly the reactions of his church leaders.

Sam has also played an integral role in podcast host Chris' own story, as this episode details, notably in how that relates to Chris's meeting with his former bishop, which included the other lawyer referenced in the episode's title, the Canon Lawyer in Chris's former diocese.

You can read a transcript of this episode on ACNAtoo's website here.

Please see these articles with explanations and updates (as of September 2025) for Bishop Ruch's Presentment trial:

New Trial Date Announced from ACNAtoo

Ruch Trial Halted By Prosecutor's Resignation by Arlie Coles

Chaotic Ruch Trial On Hold by Arlie Coles

Amid trial crisis, ACNA pushes forward with clergy misconduct overhaul by Katharyn Post

Third prosecutor appointed in ACNA trial of Bishop Ruch by Katharyn Post

Assistant Counsel Releases Details of Court Misconduct from ACNAtoo

Provincial Prosecutor Replaced Again from ACNAtoo

This episode features a conversation with four members of ACNAtoo (Abbi Nye, Audrey Luhmann, Conor Hansen, and Whitney Evans Harrison) covering the significant details found the the Bishops' presentment against Bishop Stewart Ruch. This presentment was not previously available to the public, but was published by the ACNA on June 11, 2025 and then quickly taken down after ACNAtoo addressed a number of concerns they had with it. While the ACNA has not yet re-released this presentment, ACNAtoo has published a redacted version of it which you can find on their website. This episode also contains an announcement from Chris Marchand where he publicly lets everyone know that he has resigned from the ACNA and his diocese as a priest, and why he did so.

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Articles and resources referenced in this episode:

ACNAtoo's article with the redacted version of the Bishops' presentment

Recent ACNAtoo article "Ecclesiastical Trial Process FAQ's"

The ACNA's presentment trial update page for Bishop Stewart Ruch

This second episode surrounding Bishop Stewart Ruch's presentment trial centers around a letter Megan Tucker (featured in the first episode as one of the writers of the lay presentment) read to Bishop Ruch in 2023. Also included in the episode is a followup response to the Nephtali Matta interview from the Holy Post podcast with a reflection surrounding "safety" in our churches, excerpts from a legally recorded meeting with Bishop Ruch where he responds about his knowledge of Josh Moon's past, insights from ACNAtoo member Audrey Luhmann, and a relevant song from songwriter and church music leader Rachel Wilhelm.

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Links and articles referenced in this episode:

From the ACNA: "News and Updates on The Ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch III"

Information from the ACNA on Bishop Ruch's trial details

From ACNAtoo: "Statement Regarding ACNA Provincial Update on Bp. Ruch's Ecclesiastical Trial"

Web Archive version of the ACNA's trial update page

ACNAtoo article: "In the Matter of Stewart E. Ruch III, Bishop of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest"

Resources from Diane Langberg on bringing church to sexual abuse offenders can be found here and here.

You can view the 1997 Rich Mullins concert Live From Lufkin Texas here.

Here are two recent X/Twitter threads with insightful commentary on Bishop Ruch's presentment, from Arlie Coles and Marissa Franks Burt.

Along with all music streaming services, you can find out about Rachel Wilhelm and her music here and here.

Lyrics to "Vengeance With a Sword":

Hear a bellow from the mountain,

True disaster will go forth

From my holy habitation comes

Vengeance with the sword.

A great whirlwind will be lifted

From the farthest parts of earth

And the situation shifted,

you’ll be kicked up from the dirt.

Shepherds, run and wail,

Roll about in your own filth.

Leaders of the flock,

Your own slaughter is fulfilled

For the trust, the trust that you have killed.

All your peaceful houses cut down,

All your pastures will be marred,

Like a lion I have left my lair to roar alarm.

You will not be lamented,

Or gathered, or buried.

Strewn, will be all the bodies

Like refuse and carrion.

A calamity will rumble

From the wine inside your cup

And if you refuse to take it

I’ll make you drink it up.

Fall and rise no more,

Drain the vintage of my wrath.

Shepherds of the flock,

You won’t survive the judgment passed;

It will fall suddenly and fast.

Hear a bellow from the mountain,

True disaster will go forth,

From my holy habitation comes

Vengeance with the sword.

This bonus episode features a segment you can hear in full on the podcast's Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/WallofSilencePodcast

Addressing the issue of the podcast being a conflict interest, this episode also features audio from former archbishop Foley Beach. The full Patreon episode also addresses the issue of canonical obedience and how Chris decided to continue with the podcast despite his bishop's call to pause it indefinitely. Along with that, the Patreon episode feature the full interview with Nephtali Matta from the Holy Post podcast.

Patreon bonus material can now be listened to by being a monthly support or by purchasing individual episodes.

This is the first in a series of episodes covering the details in the presentment of Bishop Stewart Ruch. This episode, featuring interviews with Audrey Luhmann and Megan Tucker, goes into the backstory of how the presentment came together and the evidence of the seven abuse cases contained in the presentment that occurred in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest under Ruch's leadership.

You can read a transcript of this episode here.

Links, videos, and resources referenced during this episode:

ACNAtoo's detailed article on Bishop Ruch's presentment

ACNA Provincial Tribunal: In the matter of the Right Rev. Bishop Stewart Ruch III, petitioner

The ACNA's "Safeguarding Our Churches" resource page

The ACNA's 2024 Provincial Assembly Business Session (video and audio)

The ACNA's 2023 Provincial Assembly Morning Session, June 22, 2023 (video and audio)

Archbishop Steve Wood's Court For the Trial of a Bishop update page

"Ursa's Story" from ACNAtoo's website, detailing the abuse of Chris Lapeyre

A Christian Post article covering ACNAtoo's response to the ACNA's proposed changes to the Constitution and Canons

You can find ACNAtoo member Abbi Nye's Substack writings here.

Acting as a halfway point for this season, episode 10 is a recap of the story the Wall of Silence has told so far as well as an overview of other ongoing abuse cases in the ACNA and broader Anglican world as the July 2025 presentment trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch is now quickly approaching. Along with this, Chris shares a personal reflection telling more of the background of what happened this past summer when the podcast was put on pause and how his experiences relate to the wearing of scarlet letters and a community's need for witch hunts.

This episode also features a segment with Audrey Luhmann and an excerpt from an interview with political theologian Stephen Backhouse.

You can read a transcript of this episode here:

Relevant articles from this episode:

Washington Post article about Jeff Taylor and the Falls Church Anglican Church

Bishop Chris Warner Updates on Falls Church Anglican Investigation

From ACNAtoo: In Solidarity With the Survivors of Jeff Taylor

https://jefftaylorjustice.org/ (for survivors of Taylor's abuse)

Archbishop Wood's update page: Court For the Trial of a Bishop

Timeline of Mark Rivera's abuse and how the UMD responded

ACNAtoo's 2024 Roundup