Ecclesiastical Court Ruling Regarding Bishop Todd Atkinson

A letter from Bishop Dan Gifford

Dear friends and members of our diocese,

Many of you may have been following the news related to Via Apostolica and Bishop Todd Atkinson. As there has been a significant update, I wanted to reach out to you with some matters for prayer and for encouragement. Bishop Todd Atkinson at one time had responsibility to oversee Via Apostolica, which was a missionary district within the ACNA with churches in western Canada. 

Almost two years ago, Bishop Todd was presented with charges of violating canons of our province in his ministry. Therefore, an ecclesiastical court of the ACNA conducted a trial to decide on these charges. On April 3rd this court rendered its decision with the right of an appeal within 30 days and released the following statement:

“The Court for the Trial of a Bishop has rendered its decision in the Matter of Bishop Todd Atkinson, in which he was Presented for four charges of violating Canon IV.2.4: “Conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense, including the abuse of ecclesiastical power.” The Court found Atkinson guilty on all four charges.

All parties agreed to conduct the trial by written submissions of briefings, witness testimony through affidavit, and other evidence. This manner of proceeding saved resources for all parties and spared witnesses, including victims, from enduring the stresses of live testimony and cross-examination.

Atkinson has 30 days to appeal the Trial Court’s decision (Canon IV.5.5.1).

The Court Order will be published in due time. Careful consideration is being given to appropriate redaction for the protection of victims and witnesses.”

We are thankful for the careful and prayer-filled work of this court. Our own Rev. Chad Graham, who is also a lawyer, was part of the initial investigation and then acted on behalf of the Province in this court process and provided much leadership for this trial. I ask your prayers for all those people who have been deeply hurt by the issues that led to this trial and for all those who have so faithfully discharged the difficult duties it has required.

It was a great joy at our 2023 synod in November to warmly welcome four new churches into our diocese: Emmaus Road (Langley, BC), Christ our King (Calgary, AB), Christ the Redeemer (Lethbridge, AB), and Via Caronport (Caronport, SK) who were at one time part of the missionary district of Via Apostolica. We have been wonderfully blessed in ANiC to be in partnership in the Gospel together with these churches since they have joined our diocese. Their fruitful mission and faithful witness to Jesus in their communities has been a great encouragement to us all. Please pray for the lay people and clergy in these churches who have experienced much pain. May God bring his healing and peace to these dear friends, and a timely close to this matter, so that their faithful ministry may not be hindered and their Gospel work continue to flourish to the glory of Jesus.

Yours in our Risen Christ,

+Dan

The Right Reverend Dan Gifford
Diocesan Bishop