Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe found “Not Guilty” on All Counts in Church Trial
In a trial convened according to the judicial procedures of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe was tried on December 12-13, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia, on two counts of “Public and Private Humiliation,” three counts of “Failure to Provide a Proper Appointment or Notice Thereof,” and three counts of “Mishandling of Church Funds.”
The AME Church has conducted trials for bishops, general officers, itinerant preachers, local preachers, and the laity. The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church sets forth the circumstances under which a bishop, minister, or member of the AME Church may be charged. Those circumstances include disobedience to the Discipline, immorality, misuse in the handling of funds, neglect of duties, maladministration, bribery, levying unauthorized assessments and/or collecting of assessments for personal gain, conviction of a crime, simony, and sexual misconduct.
The most recent trial of a bishop occurred in 2011. At that time, Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah was tried, found guilty, and suspended until the 2012 General Conference for actions that took place when he was the presiding prelate of the 15th Episcopal District.
Bishop Kawimbe’s trial stemmed from charges brought by the Rev. Levy Mahasha relating to his removal as a presiding elder in the 19th Episcopal District. It was alleged that Bishop Kawimbe had violated various provisions of the Discipline regarding the Minister’s Bill of Rights, Duties of an Active Bishop, and Financial Administration.
The trial was presided over by Bishop John R. Bryant. Impaneled members of the Preliminary Inquiry Committee served as jurors per the procedure outlined in the Discipline. Reginald Roberts, Jr. served as attorney for the AME Church and Richard Sinkfield was lead counsel for the defense.
