What Did Bishop Nicholas Know and When Did He Know It?

In November 2018, JTO posted the article Rape and the Holy Man exposing the then Deacon Matthew Williams alleged rape of his 15-year-old goddaughter who was babysitting his young children.

After the article was posted, JTO received an email dated February 2019 from a confirmed source close to the Williams family. In the email the unnamed source confirmed, 

"Upon reading your article, I wasn't particularly shocked by any of the allegations, and they do put certain incidents and behaviors into context... I have taken this issue higher up, and an investigation is pending. I'm close to the family, and I've observed a number of troubling patterns and behaviors, which are frankly not your concern, and have been shared with Bishop Nicholas already..."

If this claim is true, Bishop Nicholas was not only apprised of the Rape and the Holy Man expose' but was informed by a person close to the family that they too had observed troubling issues and incidents presumably related to sexual abuse by Father Matthew Williams.

The takeaway here is that, according to the source, as early as 2019, a full six years prior to the eruption of the current chaos at Saint Tikhon, Bishop Nicholas knew. Family members, including Elizabeth Williams knew, and the source knew. 

Even so, the source implored JTO to follow the ROCOR process of communication with the Bishop or nothing would happen. JTO reminded the source of the numerous prior communications regarding the sexual abuse allegations of Father Matthew Willaims, that did go through the correct channels, even receiving a brush-off correspondence from the late Metropolitan Hilarion. The source claimed, "There was never a formal investigation opened into this case by ROCOR. The complaint was dismissed out of hand, despite ROCOR policy stating,

'In the case of any complaint that initially appears to be credible, or if the findings of the preliminary inquiry are inconclusive, the priest or deacon will be referred for clinical evaluation. The clergyman may also be temporarily removed from his ministry and may have other restrictions placed on him.' "

At the time in 2019 and up to this point, JTO honored the source's desire to remain anonymous and out of the public eye. JTO promised not to use his name, however, the source has recently initiated a high-profile involvement in the public discourse regarding current events and the removal of Father Williams from his parish, so the content of his 2019 correspondence with JTO is being shared here. The source previously indicated, "I'm engaged to FMW's eldest daughter, which should make clear why I'm involved in this. I want the truth to be out, because as it stands, my children aren't going to meet half of their grandparents."

His site, Timeline of misconduct reports in case of Archpriest Matthew Williams, offers a strong defense of Elizabeth Williams (Father Matthew Williams wife) and presents a timeline of her conduct in recent matters. What the site does not share is the fact that as early as 2019, the family knew of the serious character flaws of Father Williams and was appealing to Bishop Nicholas. The site also is silent on the 2008 allegations that Elizabeth Williams was personally involved in the attempt to silence Carole Stephens after the alleged rape of her daughter came to light. The site also does not address the allegations that Elizabeth Williams cajoled the Stephens daughter to not come forward about the event in their home.

Since the current allegations toward FMW have emerged, JTO has been in conversation with the source of 2019, in order to present a balanced view of the current events by posting his perspectives. In keeping with this, JTO recently asked the source to clarify the timeline he publicly presented and informed the source that his past 2019 emails had been archived and seemed to conflict with what he was publicly presenting. His response was to lawyer up, claiming there was a pending court case and their lawyer forbade them to say more. 

JTO told the source, "I am not certain your comment is sufficient. I am not asking about a court case, only for clarification on the timeline you currently publicly post on your website, and an email you wrote to me in 2019."

His response was, "Basically, no comment. I can add not more to the situation."

JTO responded. "Okay. Do you intend to take down your website?"

His response was, "What's done is done, removals don't do anything. I am just repeating what was told to me by an attorney."

What did Bishop Nicholas know and when did he know it? He knew at least six years before the current sexual abuse revelations came to light that his priest, Father Matthew Williams, had a serious character flaw. He knew by prior testimony by prior victims and by the testimony of FMW's own family members. He knew enough to have removed FMW according to ROCOR's own Sexual Abuse Policy at least SIX YEARS AGO. He Knew. Why didn't he act? He knew. He knew enough. He knew...but so did numerous other clergy. They all knew. 

1 Timothy 5:19-20 Do not accept an accusation against an elder EXCEPT on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who persist in sin, reprove IN FRONT OF EVERYONE, so that the rest will also be afraid of the consequences.

See: Journey To orthodoxy: Rape and the Holy Man Part Three -All are Punished!