Nivedhan Singh's account of his abuse

"My father would administer an Adi on me regularly. Adi is the Tamil word for ‘beating.’ I received an Adi as punitive physical abuse. When my father had been drinking or was hungover, this would escalate to prolonged, hard hits across my thighs, arms, legs, and face. Reasons for the physical abuse included:

• being late for school
• getting something wrong on homework
• getting bad grades
• misbehaving in church
• misbehaving in front of guests
• saying a bad word
• speaking ill of somone else
• asking for an expensive toy at the store

"My father grew up in a physically abusive household. I heard stories of how my grandfather would throw things at my grandmother, bruising her. My father, at the age of 11, would get between the two of them to stop the fighting. Instead of breaking the cycle of abuse, my father went on to abuse his own children. My father hit me often as a form of punishment growing up. He threw things at us. I had cell phones smashed in front of me, glass chess boards shattered, and video game systems ripped apart. Most of the physical violence was directed toward me punitively. I remember one day before school when he kicked me while I was on the ground screaming in pain because he was holding my crying baby brother at the time; so he could not use his hands. I was screamed at often. My mother was yelled at often. When my dad tried to spank my baby brother for the first time, I got between them and said, 'No, not him.' I would not see the cycle of abuse continue. When I asked my father (as an adult) why he used physical abuse as a form of punishment, his explanation was that I was a 'difficult kid'.

"While my father was an Associate Priest at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ, I tied a lamp cord around my neck and pulled it as hard as I could in a suicidal attempt to escape the beatings. I was 10 years old at the time. Nighttime bedwetting became an uncontrollable problem for me and would continue until I was around 13 years old, when I was able to live away from the abuse at boarding school. I have teachers and friends who can verify I wore diapers at night until 7th grade. I have been in trauma recovery therapy, including EMDR sessions about the physical abuse since 2018, and I can provide receipts from my health insurance to verify this."

Nivedhan Singh

Predatory behavior is in violation of TEC's General Convention Resolution 2018-D091 Resolution 2018-D091

Signs of Child Abuse

Bishop Singh suggests seperation, ends marriage therapy sessions, and implies he will kill himself drinking. He will go on to publicly lie about who initiated the seperation on February 24, 2021. Alcoholism/substance abuse is in violation of TEC's General Convention Resolutions 1985-A083, 2015-D014, 2015-A158, and A158-GC2015.

I suggested separation yesterday...I have sacrificed a lot to preserve our marriage including my relationship with my mother and my brother who is a simpleton...I am happy she is an independent and strong woman. But strength should never be used to humiliate and dominate. Therefore, I am bowing out of couples therapy. I will continue with my personal therapy to get a semblance of dignity back and work out my drinking issues. I don't want to kill myself drinking by remaining in this marriage. Strangely, I feel peaceful and relieved after a long time. Bishop Singh

Alcoholism/substance abuse is in violation of TEC's General Convention Resolutions 1985-A083, 2015-D014, 2015-A158, and A158-GC2015: Resolution 2015-A158 Resolution 1985-A083 Resolution 2015-D014 Resolution A158-GC2015

March 16th, 2020 email from Bishop Singh

Bishop Singh emails Roja, uses discriminatory Caste language, blames her for his drinking, admits he has not sought out help for his alcoholism, implies divorce. The Caste system is an an ancient Indian system of social hierarchy. Caste discrimination is in violation of The Episcopal Church's General Convention Resolution 2018-A222.

If this is empowerment, more power to you and I can leave you three in peace...Your psychological fragility was a huge part of why I have done this work of absorbing your anxieties by just biting my tongue. And my subsequent drinking...I have been drinking to absorb some of the pain. I know I have had a problem...That was the worst wound in my life that in my desire to overcome caste and other differences I had overcompensated and imagined a lie that you actually cared for me...Since none of you seem happy and I am, as each of you has alleged, a cause of most of your problems, it may be time for some real change. Bishop Singh

Caste discrimination is in violation of TEC's General Convention Resolution 2018-A222 The Episcopal Church, General Convention Resolution 2018-A222

June 7th, 2020 email from Bishop Singh

Bishop Singh writes misdirecting mailing to entire Episcopal Diocese of Rochester implying that Roja left him, and to respect the family's privacy. Cameron Miller follows up reiterating to respect family's privacy. Roja and sons never asked for privacy. This leads to the effective excommunication of Roja, Eklan, and Nivedhan from The Episcopal Church. "Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" is a violation of TEC's Canon 4: Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6.

After some intentional therapy and marriage counseling, Roja named the truth that our marriage is over. Bishop Singh

Our support is best offered by giving them appropriate space for their transistions. Cameron Miller

"Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" is a violation of TEC's Canon 4: Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6 Canon 4: Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6

February 24th, 2021 email from Bishop Singh and Rev. Cameron Miller

Bishop Prince Singh is appointed as Provisional Bishop for two dioceses: Eastern and Western Michigan. His predecessor was forced to resign after an extramarital affair. The Episcopal Church’s Office of Pastoral Development, headed by Bishop Todd Ousley, was heavily criticized for its response to this scandal.

Related news articles: Episcopal News Service Living Church

Bp Singh and Roja's divorce is finalized. Bp Singh would go on to lie about when the divorce happened on Junne 16th, 2023. "Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" and "any conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy" is a violation of TEC's Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6 & 9

"Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" and "any conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy" is a violation of TEC's Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6 & 9 Canon 4: Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6 & 9

June 9th, 2022 - divorce finalized

April 22nd, 2022 - divorce filed

Nivedhan writes a letter that discloses his father's domestic abuse and alcoholism to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. He was scared for his father and unsure about how to proceed. Nivedhan Singh trusted that perhaps Michael Curry would know what to do in terms of holding Bishop Singh accountable, and providing a path toward healing and fixing things with his dad. Nivedhan Singh was not made aware of Title IV at the time of his disclosure, nor was it something ever explained to Bishop Singh's family. According to Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3, "Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer." Failing to do so is a violation of Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f, "In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall...report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense".

Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3 and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f: Title IV, Canon 6.3 Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f

Nivedhan's letter to Presiding Bishop Curry

Nivedhan's email to Presiding Bishop Curry

Eklan Singh writes a letter that discloses his father's emotional abuse, and alcoholism and emails it to Presiding Bishop Curry. Eklan was not made aware of Title IV at the time of his disclosure, nor was it something ever explained to Bishop Singh's family. According to Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3, "Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer." Failing to do so is a violation of Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f, "In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall...report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense".

Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3 and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f: Title IV, Canon 6.3 Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f

Eklan's letter to Presiding Bishop Curry

Eklan's email to Presiding Bishop Curry

Bishop Singh states that he will have to resign due to the allegations. He characterizes the abuse as “spanking" & voices dismay that apologizing is not treated as sufficient to repair the relationship. Predatory behavior is in violation of TEC's General Convention Resolution 2018-D091.

December 30th, 2022 phone call

Predatory behavior is in violation of TEC's General Convention Resolution 2018-D091 Resolution 2018-D091

Nivedhan Singh: I just think that I never received an explicit apology for the physical abuse and- Bishop Singh: I've told you so many times Nivedhan, I am so sorry that I did that. I didn't know better. Nivedhan Singh: Well, and to say that our relationship had nothing to do with the divorce at all. It was a hard situation to grow up in, dad. And I am hurt, Eklan is hurt. And I understand loneliness or whatever, but I think that the priority should have been rebuilding your relationship with us before going and pursuing something like this. Bishop Singh: [inaudible 00:09:19] I have tried to rebuild my relationship with you. I've made two trips to your house.

December 30th, 2022 phone call transcript

David Singh, an evangelical pastor & lifelong friend of Bishop Singh, claims to have been appointed to provide counseling to Bishop Singh by Presiding Bishop Curry. David Singh also offers to “listen” to Nivedhan & Eklan. Bishop Singh later treats this as family therapy. David Singh is not a licensed therapist. According to Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3, "Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer." Failing to do so is a violation of Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f, "In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall...report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense".

The Presiding Bishop has appointed me to provide the necessary counseling for your father. David Singh

Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3 and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f: Title IV, Canon 6.3 Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f

David Singh's letter to Nivedhan and Eklan Singh

December 31st, 2022 email to Nivedhan and Eklan Singh

Presiding Bishop Curry does not mention Title IV to the family. He does not inform the family that these allegations, if true, constitute Title IV offenses. He does not submit a report to an Intake Officer. According to Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3, "Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer." Failing to do so is a violation of Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f, "In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall...report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense".

While I don’t have a quick fix I do want to be of appropriate help and support to you. I don’t know what that might look like, but I will be thinking a bit more about that. I am going to talk with Bishop Todd Ousley who helps me to support and assist bishops and their families. Presiding Bishop Curry

Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3 and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f: Title IV, Canon 6.3 Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f

Presiding Bishop Curry's email to Nivedhan and Eklan Singh

Presiding Bishop Curry says Todd Ousley will follow up directly with pastoral care. He uses the phrase, "Family therapy" in his note to Roja. Family therapy implies an unbiased, 3rd party. Counseling is something within the scope of a pastor to provide, with the proper licensure. While David Singh may be a counselor, his close history with Bishop Singh makes this unethical. Nivedhan raised all of these concerns to Bishop Singh on a phone call on February 22nd, 2023 - So, we cannot say for certain what Presiding Bishop Curry knew or did not know about David Singh's qualifications/involvement. What we do know is that Presiding Bishop Curry and Todd Ousley did not follow up with Roja or her sons, or launch a Title IV investigation into their claims. This left them vulnerable to Bishop Singh's influence and undue control over the situation. According to Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3, "Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer." Failing to do so is a violation of Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f, "In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall...report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense".

Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3 and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f: Title IV, Canon 6.3 Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f

Presiding Bishop's February 23rd, 2023 email to Roja Singh

Counseling session with abuser present. Felt more like an intervention. Nivedhan's disclosure to Presiding Bishop Curry and Bishop Singh's seminary friends is assigned to an impulsive outburst due to Nivedhan's "abandoment issues".

Emails confirming time for therapy session

Bishop Singh uses church platform to dismiss allegations as internal family conflict about his new marriage. In public TEC message, he clearly states "The divorce from two and a half years ago has been a painful transition and this pain has developed further as I moved into a new relationship." We have clear evidence that he was in fact, engaged to be remarried on December 1, 2022; just 6 months after the official divorce. It is impossible to ignore this public, image-managing lie. "Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" is a violation of TEC's TEC's Canon 4: Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6.

The divorce from two and a half years ago has been a painful transition and this pain has developed further as I moved into a new relationship. Bishop Singh

The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern & Western Michigan Mailchimp notice

"Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" is a violation of TEC's Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6 Canon 4: Of Standards of Conduct, Sec. 1.h.6

According to Canon 19, Section 3 of the Canons of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, it is mandatory for Clergy seeking remarriage to "obtain the consent of the Bishop of the diocese wherein the member of the Clergy is canonically resident". According to this Canon, Bishop Singh would have had to obtain consent from the Presiding Bishop, proving that Presiding Bishop Michael Curry continues to support Bishop Singh's remarriage, knowing full-well about his history of domestic abuse and alcoholism. Canon 19, Section 3

With the support of our Presiding Bishop and the Standing Committees of our dioceses, ... and I became engaged last year. Bishop Singh

Bishop Singh's video announcement

Bishop Singh's public mailing

Nivedhan writes an email to Bishop Stephen Lane, Bishop Provisional of The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester (former diocese of Bp Singh), on 06/16/23. Attached to this email was the same letter Nivedhan sent to Presiding Bishop Curry on 12/29/22. Bishop Lane, in keeping with Title IV Canonical law, forwards the complaint to the appropriate Title IV channels. In less than one hour, Bishop Lane does what Presiding Bishop Curry failed to do for 6 months: he files a formal complaint to the Official Intake Officer for Title IV. Presiding Bishop Curry's failure to promptly file a Title IV complaint violates Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3, "Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer." and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f, "In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall...report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense".

The Canons of The Episcopal Church make it clear that a complaint against a bishop must be directed to the Intake Officer for Bishops. I have referred your complaint to the appropriate church officials in the last hour. Bishop Stephan Lane to Nivedhan Singh

The complaint came to me last week, and I deemed that it constituted a complaint of misconduct as defined by the disciplinary canons (Title IV) of The Episcopal Church. As prescribed by those canons, I forwarded the complaint to the Intake Officer for Bishops. Bishop Stephan Lane to Episcopal Diocese of Rochester

Bishop Lane's email to Nivedhan Singh

Bishop Lane's announcement to Episcopal Diocese of Rochester

Related Links: Episcopal News Service Article Bishop Lane's message to the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester

Title IV, Canon 6, Section 3 and Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f: Title IV, Canon 6.3 Title IV, Canon 4, Section 1, Subsection f

Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern & Western Michigan allow Bishop Singh to respond directly to public allegations. Bishop Singh has physically and emotionally abused his family for 28 years. Bishop Singh dismisses allegations using phrases like, "Divorce is messy and mine was no exception." Bp Singh publicly lies again that the divorce was amicable. The Episcopal Church states that Bishop Singh has launched a Title IV investigation into himself. Other Bishops/clergy have likely already reported to proper Title IV channels. Bishop Singh cites a "therapeutic setting", ignoring David Singh's bias and lack of qualifications. Legitimate therapy requires a licensed, unbiased 3rd party.

Over the past few months, I have invited my sons to dive into these sensitive family matters in a therapeutic setting. Bishop Singh

The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern & Western Michigan Mailchimp notice

Bishop Singh and The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern & Western Michigan's public response

Bishop Todd Ousley is replaced as Title IV Intake Officer. Rev. Barb Kempf is appointed as new Intake Officer.

Presiding Bishop's office mailchimp

This letter, written by Dr. Jebaroja Singh, Nivedhan Singh, Eklan Singh, and the volunteers of Episcopal Accountability, requests an independent, third-party investigation into the Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Office of Pastoral Development (OPD) of The Episcopal Church. The letter alleges that the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop, and the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, Director of OPD, failed to promptly initiate Title IV proceedings in response to the Singh family's December 2022 disclosures of domestic violence, alcoholism, verbal and emotional abuse, and lying committed by the Rt. Rev. Prince Singh. The letter argues that no bishop or priest of the Episcopal Church is sufficiently free of conflict of interest to carry out an investigation into these offices, necessitating an independent inquiry to achieve the goals of Title IV. The letter provides a detailed account of the Singh family's interactions with church leadership, their disclosures of abuse, and the alleged failures of Bishops Curry and Ousley to adhere to Title IV requirements. The letter concludes by emphasizing the need for an independent investigation to restore trust in the Title IV process and ensure accountability within the church.

Investigation request letter

Investigation request email