Official Statement Of The Board of Bishops of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Regarding The Case of Dr. Staccato Powell
The Board of Bishops was petitioned to intervene in response to concerns of several congregations of the Western Episcopal District regarding foreclosure notices for which the congregations were not aware of how the debt originated. The resultant inquiries demonstrated that deeds had been improperly transferred and the Board of Bishops demanded that this situation be rectified. Subsequently, it became clear that this directive was not being followed, so the Board of Bishops suspended the presiding bishop of the Western Episcopal District to provide appropriate episcopal supervision.
Upon completion of their investigation, charges were made by the Board of Bishops and a church trial was held during the 51st Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church., July 2021. The final action of the trial was to disrobe Dr. Staccato Powell as a bishop in the A. M. E. Zion Church. Such an outcome, while painful, was a necessary affirmation of our church law and ethical standards. By its actions, the Board of Bishops and the General Conference proved that accountability must be a core principle for church governance.
Several of our churches in the Western Episcopal District are still facing uncertainty with regard to the future of their property; however, the fact that the General Conference ruled that the actions of Staccato Powell were in violation of our church law, strengthens the argument our attorneys are making in bank- ruptcy court that the local congregations should not be saddled with debt that they did not authorize.
Recent reports of Dr. Powell and Dr. Sheila Quintana’s indictment and arrest on federal charges must be received with solemnity, lament, and prayer. These charges were brought by the Department of Justice after an FBI investigation and were not initiated by the Board of Bishops; therefore, it is not prudent for us to repeatedly respond to developments of an ongoing legal matter.
This is a very difficult time for the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and for the families of Staccato Powell and Sheila Quintana. We will continue to pray for them and for those who have been affected by these events. We also encourage all people, especially members of our beloved Zion, to stay focused, serve faithfully and stand firm on the principles of our faith. Ours must always be a posture of hope and healing as we are reminded in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The A. M. E. Zion Church Board of Bishops
Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Senior Bishop and President
Bishop Darryl B. Starnes
Bishop Dennis V. Proctor
Bishop Mildred B. Hines
Bishop W. Darin Moore
Bishop Seth O. Lartey
Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Sr.
Bishop George D. Crenshaw
Bishop Hilliard Dogbe
Bishop U. U. Effiong
Bishop Brian R. Thompson
Bishop Eric Leake
Bishop Joseph Johnson
Bishop Marshall H. Strickland
Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett
Bishop George W. C. Walker, Sr.
Bishop S. Chuka Ekemam
Bishop Warren M. Brown
Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
DONE THIS THE 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2022
