Four women have brought formal accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse against a United Methodist clergyman who is prominent in interfaith work.
The West Ohio Conference confirmed that Donald “Bud” Heckman, an elder in the conference, is suspended from active ministry and faces “the strong likelihood” of a church trial—tentatively scheduled for December 2–4.
“The West Ohio Conference takes seriously any allegation of a chargeable offense against a pastor,” the conference’s bishop, Gregory V. Palmer, said. Palmer declined to identify what church charges Heckman faces out of concern for Heckman’s due process rights and the people who brought the complaint.
