There’s a good discussion about abuse and its implications for The Episcopal Church coming out of the Diocese of Oregon. It’s also very relevant to the present conflict.
In salient part:
Abuse doesn’t just happen to children. Congregations must learn how to look out for each other and treat one another with respect and dignity, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ability or creed. Not because our liability insurance requires us to, but because this is the kind of people Jesus calls us to be.
From day one in this matter, there’s been a dearth of respect and dignity, whether towards me, my mom, Mike, or others. Nothing in Dysfunctional Bob’s actions, nor those of Jeff Chiow, undoes any of that.
Indeed, when I see Jeff’s inflammatory pleadings, the various falsehoods contained therein, and his treatment of this conflict, in the words of one attorney, as a “personal vendetta,” I am very glad to have cut loose from the sad, dishonest, abusive, dysfunctional church that is Grace Episcopal Church. While there are some good and decent people there (June Huber, Anne Caputo, and Nancy Macklin immediately come to mind, although there are others), I also am reminded that this is a church where it’s okay to lie, to breach confidentiality, to bully others, to engage in the illegal misuse of funds, and more. And let’s not forget that this is a church where people think it’s okay to try and drag a dying woman into court, even though Pennsylvania law doesn’t allow that. Plus, one doesn’t see any sign of the love of God’s love in the various emails I’ve seen connected to this conflict — not a single one ever shows any concern for me, Mike, or my family. Telling. And, as I have said before, God does not appear to look kindly upon those who, like Jeff “Sugarland” Chiow and Dysfunctional Bob, serve as a stumbling block to the faith of others, including Mike.
In short, not the sort of place I’d recommend to anyone who wants to grow in the knowledge and love of God.
To see the full article, go here.