Wall of Silence

In this episode ACNAtoo turns the microphones around and interviews the podcaster himself, Chris Marchand. Getting him to share aspects of his story he's never fully told, Audrey Luhmann asks him about why he started the podcast in the first place, his experiences meeting with his former bishop when he was being asked to stop the podcast under canonical obedience, why he decided to eventually keep doing the podcast, and what his hopes are for the American Church.You can find a transcript of the episode here.Here is the letter referenced in the episode from Bishop Alberto Morales and the emails referenced from former Archbishop Foley Beach.

Episode 18 is a continuation of the Zoom conversation with ACNAtoo members Abbi Nye, Audrey Luhmann, Heather Griffin, and Whitney Harrison answering questions from listeners and supporters about the verdict of Bishop Stewart Ruch's presentment trial. With questions about transparency, the trial process itself, and what ACNA members can do in response, one course of action is to set about getting the trial transcripts released.You can find a transcript of the episode here.Links and resources referenced:A bishop’s secret church trial and the U.S. Anglican Church in turmoil—Washington Post article by Ian ShapiraThe presentment documents against Bishop Ruch—from ACNAtoo's websiteFinal order from Bishop Ruch's trialACNAtoo's response to the Ruch verdictRecent article from ACNAtoo: Why ACNAtoo is Not Participating in Title IV RevisionsAnglicans for Truth, Renewal, and Accountability Open Letter

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 VerdictRuch Acquitted on All Charges—article by Arlie Coles from The Living ChurchACNAtoo'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 DownACNA Archbishop Faces Second Sexual Misconduct ComplaintSecond woman says N. American Anglican Church archbishop sexually harassed herN. American Anglican archbishop suspended after sexual misconduct allegationsBishop Chip Edgar's pastoral letter #1Bishop Chip Edgar's pastoral letter #2ACNA News: Archbishop Wood is Inhibited; Bishop Sutton Resigns as Dean; Bishop Julian Dobbs Appointed Dean of the ProvinceBishop Chris Warner's pastoral letterQuote 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 powerA bishop’s secret church trial and the U.S. Anglican Church in turmoilSecond woman says N. American Anglican Church archbishop sexually harassed herN. American Anglican archbishop takes paid leave in wake of allegationsInhibited Bishop Sues ACNAAbp Wood Announces Leave of AbsenceACNA Archbishop Faces Second Sexual Misconduct ComplaintAccountability and Discipline of Bishops in the ACNA (from ACNA website)GAFCON Communique: The Future Has ArrivedNo Schadenfreude for the ACNAIn ACNA’s upside-down world, abuse survivors are considered the problem by Abbi NyeIs the church broken? by Chris HillOpen letter from victims of Derek Jones to the ACNAConcerns from my heart about the deep ACNA leadership crisis: Kendall HarmonTwitter thread from Audrey LuhmannTwitter thread from Arlie ColesTwitter 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 ACNAtooRuch Trial Halted By Prosecutor's Resignation by Arlie ColesChaotic Ruch Trial On Hold by Arlie ColesAmid trial crisis, ACNA pushes forward with clergy misconduct overhaul by Katharyn PostThird prosecutor appointed in ACNA trial of Bishop Ruch by Katharyn PostAssistant Counsel Releases Details of Court Misconduct from ACNAtooProvincial 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' presentmentRecent 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 detailsFrom ACNAtoo: "Statement Regarding ACNA Provincial Update on Bp. Ruch's Ecclesiastical Trial"Web Archive version of the ACNA's trial update pageACNAtoo 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 forthFrom my holy habitation comesVengeance with the sword.A great whirlwind will be liftedFrom the farthest parts of earthAnd 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 fulfilledFor 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 bodiesLike refuse and carrion.A calamity will rumbleFrom the wine inside your cupAnd if you refuse to take itI’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 comesVengeance 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/WallofSilencePodcastAddressing 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 presentmentACNA Provincial Tribunal: In the matter of the Right Rev. Bishop Stewart Ruch III, petitionerThe ACNA's "Safeguarding Our Churches" resource pageThe 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 LapeyreA Christian Post article covering ACNAtoo's response to the ACNA's proposed changes to the Constitution and CanonsYou 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

This brief bonus episode is a teaser to a full extended interview with Helen Keuning, containing all the segments that did not fit into the episode Helen's Story Part 2. The full extended interview is only available to Patreon backers or to those will to pay a one time fee. See the Wall of Silence Patreon page to become a backer or for how to listen to this bonus episode: patreon.com/WallofSilencePodcast Thank you for considering. Your support makes continuing the podcast possible, and helps stories of church abuse and mishandling in the ACNA be heard in the denomination and broader world.

In the second part of Helen Keuning's story, she shares what happened after she resigned from the Bishop's Council of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest and offers reflections about her experiences and what she's learned in the years since. ACNAtoo member Abbi Nye published a thematically related article on her Substack this week, which you can read ⁠here⁠. You can read a transcript of this episode here: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-9 Please consider becoming a Patreon supporter, which includes bonus episodes at: ⁠patreon.com/WallofSilencePodcast⁠ Helen's episode were based on a series of articles on ACNAtoo's website, the first of which can be found ⁠here⁠.

Episode 8, begins the story of Helen Keuning, who served on the Bishop's Council of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest as the sexual abuse of Mark Rivera was made known by Cherin and Joanna Rudenborg. Her account goes into the details of how Bishop Stewart Ruch and the Council dealt with Rivera's abuse and the abuse survivors, how Ruch stepped away from ministry (and why he ultimately returned), and why Helen eventually decided she needed to resign from the Council. The material from Helen's story was adapted from 4 articles published on ACNAtoo's website. For a fuller accounting of events please see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. The details of some events referenced in this episode can be found on ACNAtoo's multi-part general timeline of events, which can be viewed here, You can find a transcript of this episode at: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-8

In "Survivors are the mission" Kelley Goewey offers her account of why she decided to leave Church of the Resurrection in the wake learning how Mark Rivera's abuse was handled by Bishop Stewart Ruch and the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. You can read Kelley's article "Loving the Abused With the Love of Christ" on the⁠ ACNAtoo website⁠. You can watch the video Kelley refers to in this episode here. Episode Transcript: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-7 A disclaimer: this episode contains accounts and references to rape, sexual assault,  and sexual harassment.  A second disclaimer: the views and accounts expressed in this podcast do not represent the Diocese of Quincy or the views of the Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy.

Here is the second part and conclusion to Joanna Rudenborg's story where she continues to offer insights surrounding the psychological manipulation by Mark Rivera and how she came to realize she had been raped by him. This episode details the second rape and also contains her insights about serial abusers and how communities can begin to learn to recognize their behaviors. Episode Transcript: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-6 Twitter/X links referenced in this episode: https://x.com/ladyjessicahaze/status/1675614960192475136 https://x.com/ladyjessicahaze/status/1599226162332729344 https://x.com/ladyjessicahaze/status/1720562514298040342 https://x.com/ladyjessicahaze/status/1678449432109670400 A disclaimer: this episode contains accounts and references to rape, sexual assault,  and sexual harassment.  A second disclaimer: the views and accounts expressed in this podcast do not represent the Diocese of Quincy or the views of the Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy.

This short episode offers a brief explanation on why the podcast was paused for nearly three months and what is behind the decision to now resume it. If you would like to support the work of the Wall of Silence podcast you may do so through our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/WallofSilencePodcast You can find a transcript of this episode here: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-6 A disclaimer: the views and accounts expressed in this podcast do not represent the Diocese of Quincy or the views of the Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy.

An announcement about the present and possible future state of the Wall of Silence Podcast. For the original Twitter/X post with this announcement, please go here.

This episode features the detailed account of Joanna Rudenborg, who was raped and sexually harassed by Mark Rivera, a lay pastor at Christ Our Light Anglican, a church in Big Rock, Illinois. Although much of her story is already available online in different forms (see the links below) here Joanna speaks in her own voice and offers insights about how this happened to her, and, to quote the episode, "the decisions she made, how she finally found a path up out of the darkness, and clawed her way out." In reclaiming her voice over these next two episodes she also offers it as an example for other abuse survivors and anyone seeking to learn from her experience. Episode transcript: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-5 Relevant Links: "Joanna's Story" on ACNAtoo Joanna's original Twitter thread Joanna's Twitter thread from July 3, 2021 Quotes from Steven Spielberg and George Lucas about Indiana Jones referenced in the episode

Here are a few updates and days of commemoration related to the Wall of Silence. 5 years since Cherin's daughter disclosed Mark Rivera's sexual abuse to her mother. 600 days since the Husch Blackwell report was released and then taken down. 3 open letters from ACNA clergy and lay people. Todd Atkinson has been deposed from ministry. Open Letters: ACNA Clergy ACNA Laity Anglican Diocese of South Carolina All of the articles and posts referenced in this episode: Cherin's Tweet Thread From 2023 "For Her" article by Conor Hanson Tweets connecting Todd Atkinson with Bishop Ruch 600 Days 5 Years Atkinson Deposed From Ministry Anglican bishop deposed for inappropriate relationships amid calls for transparency

As a followup to Cherin's story detailing the abuse of Mark Rivera and the mishandling of that abuse by her church leaders and the Upper Midwest Diocese, this episode asks the question: what should have happened? What can we learn about the role of church leaders in the midst of abuse allegations and what are the dire consequences if they fail survivors in that process? Full episode transcript. Links referenced in this episode:  June 2023 Twitter Thread by Cherin "Who Leads You?" sermon by Bishop Stewart Ruch

Episode 3 details the story of Cherin and her daughter's sexual abuse by Mark Rivera and how her church leaders responded to it over the course of the next two years. Told in her own words by ACNAtoo members Audrey Luhmann and Abi Nye this episode highlights her personal accounts and correspondence along with a letter from Bishop Stewart Ruch to his diocese addressing the abuse and how he handled it. As this episode offers a condensed version of events, we recommend going to the these timelines, articles, and correspondences: Piecing It All Together Part 1 Piecing It All Together Part 2 Piecing It All Together Part 3 Piecing It All Together Part 4 Piecing It All Together Part 5 "Bishop Stewart’s Letter Regarding Devastating Situation in Diocese" Cherin's original Twitter thread when going public Child Survivor's Mother Speaks Reporting abuse, a mother sees another side of church leadership Articles about Ellie Wiesel's accuser: "When I Was Nineteen Years Old, Elie Wiesel Grabbed My Ass"⁠ ⁠"I Believe the Woman Who Accused Elie Wiesel of Sexual Assault"

The second episode of the Wall of Silence continues to set the stage for the podcast by first telling a parable, a kind of alternate version of the abuse case of Cherin Marie's daughter and Joanna Rudenborg in the Upper Midwest Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America. From there we hear more accounts from survivors and anti-abuse advocates, some initial advice from theologian Stephen Backhouse, and a poem by Elie Wiesel. Note: after releasing this episode it came to my attention that Elie Wiesel has been accused of sexual assault and I want to acknowledge I am aware of it and will be briefly addressing it in the next episode. Sadly, his own words apply to him. I think it is important to point people to the first hand account of his alleged victim, as well as another article with commentary about it: "When I Was Nineteen Years Old, Elie Wiesel Grabbed My Ass" "I Believe the Woman Who Accused Elie Wiesel of Sexual Assault" Episode Transcript: ⁠https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-2 Links referenced in this episode: https://www.erikadreifus.com/2018/08/words-of-the-week-elie-wiesel/ Bodies Behind the Bus Podcast https://www.acnatoo.org/presentment https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1445-ben-kingsley

Welcome to the Wall of Silence. In this first episode we introduce the sexual abuse case of lay pastor Mark Rivera. From there we begin to look outward to see how church leadership responded to it, from the local diocese to the national denomination, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). As "the thesis," this episode is the explanation for why this podcast exists and whose story we are telling: the advocacy group ACNAtoo and all victims, whistleblowers, and advocates against church abuse in the ACNA. If you want to support the mission of the Wall of Silence podcast please consider becoming a Patreon member at: https://www.patreon.com/WallofSilencePodcast Membership includes extra monthly interviews and discussions. Also featured: Megan Tucker, Lisa Weaver Swartz (https://lisaweaverswartz.com/), Stephen Backhouse (https://www.stephenbackhouse.com/, https://www.tenttheology.com/), and Audrey Luhmann. Here are the links referenced in this episode: https://twitter.com/ladyjessicahaze/status/1408916453848346629 https://www.instagram.com/mouthful.of.stars/ https://religionnews.com/2023/03/06/mark-rivera-a-former-anglican-lay-pastor-sentenced-to-15-years-in-prison/ https://twitter.com/luhmannaudrey/status/1734612110666244545?s=46&t=gMog_HbpmJgiGAYg7W8m4g https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/anglican-church-of-north-america-sexual-abuse-scandal.html https://twitter.com/luhmannaudrey/status/1734612110666244545?s=46&t=gMog_HbpmJgiGAYg7W8m4g https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1412957114620809221.html https://www.acnatoo.org/acnatoo-blog/umd-abuse-mishandling-summary https://www.acnatoo.org/acnatoo-news/ruchs-ecclesiastical-trial Show transcript link: https://www.acnatoo.org/episode-1

Trailer #2 for the Wall of Silence podcast Season 1: The ACNAtoo story—an account of church abuse and coverup in the Anglican Church of North America. The first full episode releases April 23, 2024.

Trailer #1 for the upcoming Wall of Silence Podcast Season 1: The ACNAtoo Story—an account of church abuse and coverup in the Anglican Church of North America. First full episode releases April, 2024