NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
July 18, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 18, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ — Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church, has received allegations that a security guard at St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue has begun making death threats against persons connected with the church. While Anglican Watch is not releasing the name of the person in question for purposes of this press release, the organization believes that the threats should be taken seriously.

”The allegations we have received are that the individual in question has left death threats on the voicemail of one or more persons connected with the parish,” says Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti. “Because that individual has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for selling heroin to minors, using a minor in the commission of a crime, and weapons charges, we are concerned about the safety of the parish, the St. Thomas Choir School, and others.

“We encourage all involved to take immediate action to ensure safety, including having armed NYPD officers at church services and other times of elevated risk,” Bonetti continues. “Moreover, church officials have known about this person’s past since last December. Thus, we are at a loss to explain the failure of church leadership to address these issues.”

St. Thomas, a flagship Anglo-Catholic parish in the Episcopal Church, is facing scrutiny over multiple allegations of sexual assault by gay male staff members. In addition, one person connected with the church lives in a church-owned building in close proximity to children from the St. Thomas Choir School, despite being a well-known producer of pornography.

Founded in 2015, Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. The organization addresses sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.

SOURCE Anglican Watch

CONTACT:  Eric Bonetti, 240 744-7524, eric@anglicanwatch.com