Dear Ones,
Each day there are events of great consequence happening in our world, so I wanted to be sure you received the news of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation. In the wake of this significant event in our common life Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe offered these words:
“Today I am praying for the people of the Church of England, for our siblings in the Anglican Communion, and for all victims and survivors of abuse, especially clergy abuse. Abuse in any form is horrific and abhorrent, and it grieves me that the church does not always live up to its ideal as a place where all of God’s children are safe.
I commend Archbishop Welby for calling the Church of England to address its safeguarding failures, and I pledge the Episcopal Church’s commitment to this critical task in our own contexts and in the Anglican Communion. The church must be a refuge where people can come with the deepest wounds and vulnerabilities and be nurtured, respected and never abused.”
When there is more to communicate about what happens next in the appointment of Welby’s successor, I will be sure to do so. In the meantime, I wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate and state clearly our own commitments to ensuring the safety of everyone in our care and our condemnation of abuse—especially clergy abuse and those who enable it. Our Diocese endeavors to be a community of trust and safety which is why we seek to be as thorough as possible in ensuring that all clergy, elected lay leaders, and anyone volunteering with youth, children, or vulnerable adults regularly undertakes our mandatory Safe Church training. You can find our Safe Church guidelines on our website and I invite you to review them.
Faithfully,
Bishop Jennifer
Please join me in praying for victims of abuse:
Gracious and loving God,
We lift up to you all who have been hurt, betrayed, or broken by abuse. Comfort them in their pain, bring healing to their wounds, and surround them with your peace. Give them strength and courage to find hope, even in darkness, and help them to know they are not alone.
For all who feel silenced or unheard, grant a voice that speaks their truth with confidence. For those who feel lost or abandoned, may they find refuge in your love and the support of a caring community.
Guide your Church, filling it with a spirit of truth and justice, and returning it to right pathways where it has gone astray, that it may stand alongside those who suffer and be instruments of your healing grace. Help us to build a world that cherishes each person’s dignity and values their safety above all.
In the name of your boundless love, we pray. Amen.
