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KAMLOOPS, BC – The Anglican Church of Canada has said its first bishop from a large BC diocese resigned and left the ministry after allegations of improper conduct were brought against him.
A statement from Linda Nicholls, archbishop and primate of the church, says Lincoln Mckoen resigned as bishop of the Interior People’s Territory of British Columbia on June 10.
The statement on the church’s website said allegations were received on May 27 that “inappropriate sexualized electronic communications” were sent to another adult with whom Mckoen had a pastoral relationship.
He says Mckoen “agrees that the allegations are well founded”.
Mckoen was not available for comment.
Mckoen was appointed bishop of the newly appointed territory last September and was based at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Kamloops, where he was responsible for parishes stretching from Merritt to Prince George.
Prior to being appointed to this position, Mckoen earned a master’s degree in divinity from the University of Toronto and worked in communities in Ontario and along the coast of British Columbia, including Alert Bay and Campbell River, says a press release announcing his election on the territory’s website.
A website letter sent June 1 to Archbishop Lynne McNaughton’s territory said she had decided to “bar” Mckoen from office, adding that the church has a “pledge to ensure that those occupying positions of trust or power in the church do not take advantage of or abuse that trust or power. “
A territory administrator will be appointed “for the next few months,” McNaughton said in the letter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 22, 2021.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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