One of the drawbacks of the Ordinariate structure is that its wide geographical boundaries make it difficult to vet candidates and supervise clergy effectively. In a typical diocese men would have gone to seminary together and been observed locally. The training of the incoming US Ordinariate priests has been all over the map; some former ACCC clergy, now Catholic priests, do not have an M.Div or equivalent, for example. But at least academic training is something for which documentation can be provided. The personal suitability of candidates is much more difficult to evaluate. Candidates for the UK Ordinariate had to participate in a weekend of psychological testing at the same institute used by Catholic dioceses in England and Wales, but US candidates simply had to provide a statement of psychological fitness from a suitable professional. And while this probably weeded out those with serious problems, neither process gives the full picture. In the case of men who have served in parish ministry, in many cases for decades, there is no substitute for an investigation of their track records. This Houston had no mechanism to undertake. As you have pointed out, the "continuing" Anglican denominations accepted some very damaged and dysfunctional clergy into their ranks, and some of them have gone on to become Catholic priests. Ongoing accountability, recently instituted, consists of a quarterly "Ember letter" to the Vicar for Clergy. The letter can be of any length and on any subject, and it is not clear what mechanism is in place for ensuring it is sent at all. As we know, follow-up from Houston is spotty at best.My understanding of background checks and psychological testing in The Episcopal Church is that they're pretty thorough. As with Brian Marsh, we're left with the question of why Andrew Bartus, although he went through the Episcopal process of aspirant-postulant-candidate for holy orders, was not ordained an Episcopal priest, although he'd graduated from an Episcopal seminary.
There are many, many unanswered questions in this story.
