Bishop Barry Jenks of the diocese of British Columbia has accepted the resignation of Canon David McKay following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Mr. McKay, rector of St. Mary's, Oak Bay, is taking early retirement. The bishop will not grant him the permission to officiate that is routinely given to priests when they retire.

The diocesan sexual misconduct team began an investigation after two women made allegations against Mr. McKay that allegedly took place 21 years ago when he was rector of St. Paul's, Nanaimo, B.C.

According to a report in the Diocesan Post, during the investigation other incidents involving six adult women became known.

The incidents took place in the period 1973-1994 when Mr. McKay was rector of St. Alban, Port Alberni, and St. Paul.

"All of the incidents involved women who were married or formerly married and had been in a fiduciary and/or pastoral care relationship with Canon McKay," Bishop Jenks said in a January pastoral letter to clergy. "Canon McKay acknowledges culpability in all eight incidents, three of which included sexual intercourse."