Apparently, irony is alive and well at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Dean Winnie Varghese has released a new book, One Single Act, exploring kindness, compassion, generosity, and justice. Yes, really.
The book received a November 9 launch at the cathedral, complete with a conversation about the virtues of kindness and compassion.
That’s pretty rich coming from a dean whose leadership has attracted myriad allegations of bullying, intimidation, mistreatment of employees, and financial mismanagement.
As previously reported by Anglican Watch, Varghese’s tenure has prompted serious questions about workplace culture, financial management, and accountability. More than a dozen staff complaints have reportedly surfaced, while questions about the cathedral’s finances remain unanswered.
To be clear, allegations are not findings of misconduct. But they are serious enough to warrant something more substantial than another public celebration of compassion.
And there’s the rub.
Kindness isn’t a marketing campaign. Compassion isn’t a book tour. And justice isn’t something you preach from the pulpit while declining to address legitimate questions about what happens behind the scenes.
Perhaps Varghese’s next literary project could explore transparency, accountability, and the novel proposition that Christian leaders should practice what they preach.
Meanwhile, we have a suggestion for anyone attending her next book event: Ask how the cathedral treats its employees.
Because one single act of accountability would be a fine place to start.
