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WARNING: This story contains references to sexual assault.
One of three sexual assault charges against Bruxy Cavey, the former pastor of Ontario megachurch The Meeting House, has been stayed because the trial would take too long, according to his lawyer.
Cavey served as the primary teaching pastor at The Meeting House from 1996 to 2021. Charged with sexual assault in June 2022.
A stay of charges means the court has effectively terminated the prosecution.
In late December 2023, two additional sexual assault charges were filed. A trial date has not yet been set.
Megan Savard told Ontario Court Justice Michael K. Wendl on Monday that the 2022 charges should be stayed, noting that Carvey has a right to a timely trial.
More than 18 months have passed since the trial began in the Provincial Court and more than 30 months have passed since the trial began in the Superior Court. Violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Savard declined to be interviewed but told CBC Hamilton in a statement the outcome was “bittersweet.”
“We are prepared to go to trial and present evidence that will prove his innocence. But ending this prosecution is the right outcome,” she said.
“It allows the community to heal rather than go through a traumatic, unnecessary and ultimately unsatisfying trial.”
Meeting House Church, which is based in Oakville and has chapters across the province, also screens its Sunday services in several movie theaters in southern Ontario.
The company’s website said it had to suspend the show because its insurance company was unwilling to renew its abuse liability insurance.
CBC Hamilton reached out to the church and Carvey for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Church investigation leads to pastor’s resignation in 2022
In March 2022, the church posted online that it had received allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavey.
The chamber said Kawe was temporarily suspended pending a third-party investigation.
The church said an investigation found that Kawi had had a sexual relationship with a woman, in violation of church rules.
Melodie Bissell, a former victims advocate for the church, previously said this was a reference to the power dynamic between Bruxy and the person making the accusation.
Maggie John, then-chair of the board, said in an online statement that the complainant’s relationship with Brooksey “continued over an extended period of time, constituted an abuse of Brooksey’s power and authority as a member of the clergy, and amounted to sexual harassment.”
John said Kavey resigned on March 3 at the request of the board.
A town hall meeting about the investigation was also held on March 10, during which John said Kavey’s license as a minister of the Canadian Church of Christ had been revoked.
During the town hall meeting, then-board member Jennifer Hryniw also shared a statement from Cavey’s accusers.
Cavey is 46 and the complainant is 23, the statement said. She said she was in the middle of a crisis when the two met. Board members said their relationship ended several years ago.
Cavey apologizes for “extramarital affair” in blog post
On March 8, Cavey published a blog post on his website titled “My Confessions” related to the church’s investigation.
The post stated that “there are facts at the core of the allegations” and apologized for the “extramarital affair.”
“I also failed in my responsibilities as a spiritual leader and Christian minister, which involve dynamics of power and influence, and expectations of exemplary behavior, which hold me doubly accountable. I accept that responsibility and deeply regret my actions,” he wrote.
“I wish I had the courage years ago to reveal what is now public knowledge because of the bravery of the lady I was dating. Although I have confessed before God, I hid it from others. I am extremely sorry for my cowardice.”
During the church’s general meeting, board members said this was more than just an affair and said Brooks abused his power as a pastor.
Savard said Kawi “deeply regrets his moral lapses.”
Church ‘confirms’ other sex abuse allegations
In August 2022, Bruce Miller, then co-chair of the oversight committee, said an investigation into Carvey’s allegations had “substantiated” two allegations of “sexual abuse by church leaders.”
“In the third case, his conduct was confirmed to be sexually inappropriate,” Miller said, adding that in one of the cases, the alleged victim was a minor.
The church defines leadership sexual abuse as “any sexual behavior that occurs in a church setting where one party has greater power than the other.” This could include those who are paid or volunteer in leadership positions, such as pastors, Christian counselors, youth leaders, deacons or Sunday school teachers.
The church also said allegations against another former senior priest who has not yet been charged by police have been substantiated.
Jared Taylor, the church’s former communications pastor, said at the time that the allegations involving minors were reported to police, but it was unclear if it was reported to police in Hamilton or Halton.
Hamilton police spokeswoman Jackie Penman previously said the police investigation into Carvey had concluded and no additional charges had been filed. Halton police declined to comment.
It is unclear whether the new investigation led to charges in 2023.
Support is available to anyone who has experienced sexual assault. You can contact crisis hotlines and local support services in the following ways: this End Violence Canada DatabaseIf you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you, call 911.
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