A potential positive became a negative for many AME churches among the First Episcopal District and led to reputational and financial demise of the area’s former caretaker Bishop Gregory Ingram.
Recent revelations of the charismatic clergyman’s agreement to return more than $600,000 in proceeds he’d garnered through the unlawful sale of supposed “distressed” properties among the district, which takes in a vast swath of the northeast United States and Bermuda, has raised eyebrows home and abroad regarding oversight of the very ones charged with overseeing critical matters if fiscal prudentiality and compliance.
What some believe could have been formulated into a beneficial joint venture was prevented by individual greed among those considered elite.
Along with Mr Ingram, his immediate subordinate, District Presiding Elder Melvin Wilson, who was also requested to repay a large cash sum, his amounting to $300,000, for his part in dealings involving developer Mr Moujan Vahdat.
Presiding Elder of the local AME diocese, Rev Howard Dill spoke to the body’s disapproval of actions that besmirch the benevolent manner required of Godful institutions.
“The situation is one of good and bad,” said Rev Dill, when asked to present his veiws on the situation. “The Bishop Council have made a decision in relation to him.
“The reason for that is that it’s at that particular meeting where we handle our business, so it’s technically why, I’m assuming, they made their decision.
“However, our district is in the process of going over the information and, whatever the Episcopal District has stated, a statement will be coming out regarding those.
“Locally, our thoughts have been transmitted to our overseeing bishop and we’re just waiting for some sort of response.”
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