Barnes' episcopate was marked by a series of controversies stemming from his outspoken views and, rather surprisingly for someone who held such high office in the Church, often unorthodox religious beliefs.
Barnes' posisyon ng obispo ay minarkahan ng isang serye ng mga controversies Stemming mula sa kanyang pigil views at, sa halip kahanga-hanga para sa isang tao na hawak tulad ng mataas na tanggapan sa loob ng Simbahan, madalas unorthodox relihiyon.