The Episcopal Bishop of Central New York, DeDe Duncan-Probe, is ignoring the express provisions of the Episcopal Title IV clergy disciplinary canons in parishioner Win Limmer’s complaint against Episcopal priest Rebecca Roberts.
Roberts serves as rector of St. Peter’s Cazenovia.
Limmer’s complaint alleges that Roberts has bullied and abused Limmer, potentially over her sexual orientation.
At issue in the Title IV case is the conduct of the intake officer, the Rev. Julie Calhoun-Bryant, who has failed to follow the express provisions of Title IV.
Per Title IV, the intake officer lacks the authority to determine whether the facts alleged are true or not. Specifically, intake officers may only assess whether, if true, the facts would be material violations of Title IV.
Anglican Watch notified Duncan-Probe, the canon to the ordinary, and the intake officer that Bryant’s decision, which purported to evaluate the accuracy of the facts behind the complaint, was contrary to Title IV’s requirements.
Despite our warnings, Calhoun-Bryant and Duncan-Probe went with the decision to dismiss the complaint.
Such behavior discredits the Diocese and its judicatories, undermines confidence in the church’s integrity, and discourages complainants from coming to the church to resolve conflicts.
Moreover, the decision to dismiss omits key Title if requirements, including the complainant’s right to appeal a dismissal at intake within 30 days.
Concerns remain about Rebecca Roberts and the Diocese
We remain deeply concerned about Roberts’ behavior, including a seeming narcissistic streak.
Additionally, as we stated in our earlier coverage, the diocesan chancellors’ decision to bar Limmer from the church, which was based on various fabrications, is unethical, pure and simple.
Judicatories also need to understand that when they play this game of de facto excommunication, they disincentivize other church members from pledging and otherwise supporting the church.
How so?
The answer is simple: No one is going to give sacrificially if their rector can, based on a whim, tell them to take a hike. That’s not what beloved community is about, and it’s not how the canons work. Moreover, we note that, in every case, we don’t see the church say, “Since we’re asking you to leave because you are a [choose one] stalker/domestic terrorist/threat to safety, we’re going to refund your pledges to you.”
Funny how that works, isn’t it?
What next
We anticipate that Limmer will appeal the decision to dismiss and that Limmer and/or Anglican Watch will file a Title IV complaint against DeDe Duncan-Probe.
To be clear, we expect Duncan-Probe to follow Title IV, not just the parts she likes or finds convenient. We also expect her to take a Christian approach to conflict resolution.
Relatedly, the letter from the chancellors is a sham of un-Christian bullying. Indeed, one of the chancellors previously represented Lim’s parents.
Conflict of interest much, folks?
Meanwhile, Anglican Watch plans to send out a press release alerting the public to the corruption within the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. And that’s fair, as we gave the Diocese a heads-up that it was not complying with Title IV.
So, game on.
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