The eCrozier

When someone calls for healing without first calling for justice, then that’s an indication we’re probably witnessing an effort to protect those in power from the consequences of their actions. Rather than listening to the pain that these actions have caused and responding appropriately, there’s often a rush to get past “all that” so “we all can heal” (one’s left wondering, however, who the “we” is when it comes to these calls for “healing”). That seems to be the pattern for how sexual misconduct has been dealt with for too long. The recent allegations by multiple women against a prominent mega-church pastor, Bill Hybels of the Willow Creek Church in Chicago, are just the latest in a series of revelations about male church leaders abusing their power through sexual misconduct. The #MeToo movement is also rightly now in the church: #ChurchToo.

That’s not to discount the need for healing, which we all need. To be sure: “There is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.” God’s mercy is offered to all us penitent sinners. When people are hurt, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, then we all desire their healing. But the quick call for healing can be a way to avoid truth-telling. It can be a way, using pastoral and biblical constructs, to distract us from the hard work of facing up to what really happened wherever men have abused their power in the Church (women can also be abusers, but the facts show that this by far is a male problem). And most importantly, the women who have been abused by these men must be listened to and cared for; they must see the Church as a people committed to the truth, come what may, cost what it will.

The Episcopal Church is far from perfect. And the Bishops of the Church, myself included, well-exemplify our imperfections. Yet, my colleagues in the House of Bishops and I are committed to the truth no matter how difficult it may be. That’s why when we meet next month at our General Convention the House of Bishops will spend an extended time listening to stories of those who have suffered sexual misconduct in the Church. We’re committed to not only listen, but to respond fairly and justly to those who share their stories, and then to help them find the resources they need for healing. The truth must come first. Then, and only then, can the healing come.

No one can undo what’s been done. All we can do is work toward a just accounting of the sins of the past. But, as a Bishop of the Church, and particularly as the Bishop of Georgia, I can ensure we continue to expect virtuous behavior among our leaders; the kind everyone should expect from those who follow Jesus. And, we’ll continue to insist upon safe and hospitable contexts as we live out our common mission. Together with my colleagues in the Diocese, we’ll insist upon being a truthful people who protect the vulnerable while also being compassionate with one another even as we, at times, fail to be all we’re called to be. Being compassionate never means ignoring the truth. It means facing the truth and its consequences whenever misconduct occurs. It means caring for those harmed while also honoring everyone’s inherent dignity as a child of God. The Church can and must be a people of both truth-telling and compassion. The integrity of our Gospel witness depends upon it.

+Scott