ECUADOR: BISHOP DEPOSED ON ‘ABANDONMENT OF COMMUNION’ CHARGES

The Rt. Rev. Neptali Larrea Moreno, Bishop of Ecuador Central, was deposed unanimously by the House of Bishops on March 23, 2004, for “abandonment of communion”—specifically, an “open renunciation of the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship” of ECUSA.

The action followed years of financial irregularities and Larrea’s repeated refusal to cooperate with audits (since at least 1997) or with a 2001 investigative committee.

After Presiding Bishop Griswold inhibited him in January 2004, Larrea failed to request a trial—as allowed under Canon IV.9.

In December 2003, still under inhibition, Larrea held a diocesan convention and unilaterally declared the diocese “independent” of Province IX and ECUSA.

An assisting bishop will serve until a new election is held.