Episcopal priest resigns to lead an order of Druids Sunday, April 17, 2005 By The Associated Press
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. -- An Episcopal priest has renounced his ordination to lead a Druid order.
W. William Melnyk, former rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Downingtown, Chester County, called his decision to become a Druid priest "a joyous occasion."
Melnyk has formed the Llynhydd Grove of the Druid Order of the Yew, which he will lead under his Druid name, OakWyse.
Melnyk resigned in November as rector of St. James. A parish board asked him to step down after his involvement in Druidism, and that of his wife, the Rev. Glyn Ruppe-Melnyk, also an Episcopal priest, came to light in October.
Ruppe-Melnyk has retained her post as rector of St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Malvern, with her church's support.
"I am a Christian and have always been a Christian and I do not intend to leave the church," Ruppe-Melnyk said. But she said she supported her husband's decision to "exercise his ministry in an interfaith context."