BEFORETHEREGIONALDISCIPLINARY BOARD OFTHEEPISCOPALDIOCESEOFSOUTHERNOHIO
INRE:TheRev.Dr.DanielW.McClain
CaseNo.2023-01
RESPONSETONOTICEANDWRITTENSTATEMENT
TheRespondent,Dr.DanielW.McClain(“Respondent”)byandthroughhisattorney,Deborah R.Stambaugh,andwiththesupportofhisAdvisor,TheRev.LynnCarter-Edmands,forhis responsetotheComplaint,respectfullystates:
PresumptionofInnocence&Introduction
ConsistentwithCanon IV.19.16oftheCanonsofTheEpiscopalChurch(hereinafter“Canons”) unlessanduntiltheChurchAttorneyprovesby“clearandconvincingevidence”thatthe allegationsaretrue,thereisapresumptionofinnocence.
Respondentisnotaperfectperson. Heisagoodfathertohischildren,andagoodpriesttoSt. Paul’sOakwood(hereinaftertheParish). Hedeservessomeguidance andsomecorrection,but healsodeservesrespect. AlloftheclergyinTheEpiscopalChurchdeservestobegiventhe benefitofthedoubt,andtobeheard. Respondentdoesnotdeservepublichumiliationor disparagementofhischaracter. Hedeservestohavethebeneficialworkhe hasdoneevaluated inlikemannerashismistakes. Exhibit1
AthemeoftheComplaintiswhetherRespondentislikeableorabrasive,withsomepeople findinghimlikeableandothersfindinghimabrasive. TheComplaintinfersthatpeoplewho spokepositivelyaboutRespondentarelesscapableofthinkingindependentlyanddiscountstheir opinionsbyname-callingthem“supporters.”
Whilesideliningcredibilityofcapablelayleadership,theComplaintquotesfavorablyan anonymousemail,apersonwhoisinaprotractedcustody-disputewithRespondent,anda complainantwhohasnevermetRespondentandwhoselfdescribesasbiased.1 Thethoughtsof 1 “Wedonotclaimtobeunbiased”Seehttps://www.anglicanwatch.com/about/
hard-workingvolunteersaremischaracterizedandwritten-off,meanwhilethecriticismsof“large donors”whowithdrewpledgesasameansofprotestingleadershipdecisions,areadopted.
TheComplaintblamestheperformanceoftheParishonitsrector(whichheaccepts,inpart,for bothprogressanddigressions). Meanwhile,theComplaintfailstoacknowledgethestrainplaced onthecongregationin2022,whentheBishopProvisionalpubliclymalignedtheRespondentby prematurelydisclosinghisjudgmentaboutapendingTitleIVmatterpriortoinvestigatingthe facts. Afterthatdisclosure,theparishwasgiventwobadoptions:(1)keepapriestwhosepublic reputationhadbeentarnishedinthelocalnewspapers;or(2)losealeaderwholovesthepeople, andwhomostsawasadiamondintherough. Afterthe2022matterwasdismissed,therewasno supportbytheBishop’sOfficetohelptheparishprocesswhathadhappened. TheBishop Provisionalactedinpubliclikeitdidnothappen,andlaterfundedabroad, butnotdeep, investigationtouchingeverycornerofRespondent’slife.
ThisTitleIVfeelsmorelikeabattleforpublicopinionbeingbroughtbyanorganizationthathas aDavidandGoliathlevelpowerdisparity. Itdoesnotfeellikeagenuineattemptat reconciliation,wholeness,andgenuineChristianaccountability. Nonetheless,Respondent prayerfullyendeavorstomodelaspiritoftruthfulness,reconciliation,repentance,and forgiveness. Accordingly,hereinRespondentadmitserrors,deniesfalseaccusations,and attemptstobegenerousinunderstandingthosewhohavemalignedhim.
Redaction
TheChurchmustpublishthisAnswerinthesamewaytheComplaintwaspublished. Canon IV.13.3.(a).
AspermittedbyCanonIV.13.3(b),RespondentagreestoremovalofExhibits3,4,7,10,11,16, 17,18,and19ofthisAnswer,priortopublication. IftheChurchAttorneybelievesadditional materialshouldberedacted,hemaycontactcounselfortheRespondent.
GeneralDenial
Everyallegationnotspecificallyansweredhereinisdenied.2
2 TheformatofthisdocumentmirrorstheformatoftheComplaint. FormspublishedbyThe EpiscopalChurchatTitleiv.orgsuggesttheResponsetotheWrittenStatementofComplaint shouldbeenumeratedparagraphs,eachspecificallyadmittingordenyingaparagraphofthe Complaint. BecausetheComplaintwasnotwritteninseparateenumeratedparagraphs,the Respondentisprecludedfromansweringsuchenumeratedparagraphs.
{03126285}2
“Rector-Elect”
TheComplaintcharacterizesRespondentasthe“rector-elect.” Thisismisleading. Respondent waselectedasrectorbyaten-membervestry. Thereafter,theRt.ReverendWayneSmith, BishopProvisionaloftheDioceseofSouthernOhiosignedaRectorLetterofAgreement, instatingRespondentastherector. See Exhibit2. BishopSmithsubsequentlycanceleda CelebrationofNewMinistry,whichhehadscheduled.
AllegationAboutPrivacyofMs.McClain
AmaritaldisputewasmadepublicbytheDioceseofSouthernOhio.Therecentreferral decision,skippingtheconfidentialConferencePanel,wasalsomadebytheDioceseofSouthern Ohio. ThismatterwasmadepublicbytheDioceseofSouthernOhio.
TheDiocesepublishedaccusationsaboutRespondent’smarriedlifeandsimultaneously subjectedhimtoTitleIVproceedingsforallegedlyviolatingtheprivacyof hisdivorcingspouse byrespondingtothoseaccusations. Respondent’sonlyoptionistotellthetruth. IfRespondent ispenalizedfordefendinghimself,theTitleIVprocessisinequitable.
RespondenthasnotmadeastatementaboutMs.McClain’s“mentalandmedicalcondition”as allegedonpage12oftheComplaint. TotheextenthemadestatementstoTitleIVofficials aboutMs.McClain’sbehaviorsorhisexperiencesoftheendoftheirmarriage,hedoessoin defenseoffalseallegationsbeingmadeabouthim.
ItispossiblethatparishionersreachedtheirownconclusionsaboutMs.McClain. Respondent wasnotinvolvedinthis. AfterreadingtheComplaint,aparishionerreachedouttothe undersignedwiththestatementattachedheretoas Exhibit3. TheparishionervisitedwithMs. McClainfourtimesduringtheSpringof2022,andthenreachedherownconclusion.3 This parishionerwasnotinterviewedbytheinvestigator.
Ms.McClainacknowledgedinwritingthattheparishionertoldhershehadnotspokento Respondentaboutherconclusions. Exhibit4
3 Pleasenote:Thisparishioneralsohadherownideas—basedonlyonherconversationswith Ms.McClain—aboutwhetherthiscouplewouldreunite. Respondenthasdoesnotdiscussedhis relationshipwithMs.McClainwithparishionersexcepttoanswerquestionsbywardens,as appropriate.
$30,000foraHouse
TheParishgaveRespondent$30,000tohelphimpurchaseahouse. Thisgiftwascharacterized onRespondent’sW-2ascompensation,whichisappropriatewhenagiftisreceivedfroman employer. See Exhibit5. Ifithadbeenaloan,therewouldnothavebeenataxform,there wouldhavebeenapromissorynote.
Vergers
TheComplaintfalselyallegesthatRespondentviolatedprotocolinhiringtwovergers.Two individualswhojoinedSt.Paul’sduringRespondent’stenurearevergers. Theyarevolunteers whoeachspendaboutfifteenhoursaweekvolunteeringattheparish. Theyarelovelypeople, andtheirministrytotheParishiscelebrated.
Exorcism
TheRev’dMatthewS.C. Olver,PhDisascholarofAnglicanliturgyandaseminaryprofessor whohastaughtcanonlaw. Heexplainsthatanexorcismofabuildingisnotinanywaya violationofTitleIV. SeeExhibit6.
ChangestoWorship
RespondentcausedtheparishtocomeintoconformancewiththeBookofCommonPrayer (BOCP),whichithadnotbeen. Itisdifficulttopleaseeveryone,butRespondenttriedtobe collaborativeinliturgicalleadership.
Earlyinandthroughouthistimeattheparish,hemetwithapre-establishedWorshipCommittee andlayleaderstolearn aboutandplanliturgies. Respondentstartedattheparishduring pandemicsocialdistancing. Duetovaryingcomfortlevelswithchurchattendance,somepeople whocareddeeplyabouthowthingsweredonewerenotpresenttoexplainSt.Paul’straditions whenRespondentneededtoimplementthem. Whenthosepeoplecameback,thingswere alreadybeingdoneinthebestwayRespondentknewhow,andsomepeoplefoundhisway upsetting. Otherpeople hadalreadybecomeattachedtohiswayofdoingthings. Therehad beenaten-yeardisputeattheparishaboutincense. Exhibit7.
ThepriestistheonlypersonwhocanbepenalizedforviolationsofCanonsduringthe administrationofsacramentsandotherrites. Priestsshouldbesupportedintheireffortsto followtheCanonsandtheBOCP.
“Loosey-Goosey”Finances
Theconclusoryopinionofloosey-gooseyfinancesisunsupportedbyanyallegationoffact. Asidefromanallegationaboutpastries,whichwasansweredabove,wedonotknowwhatthe allegationis. Theinvestigatorinterviewedtwenty-eight(28)peopleandhasnoevidenceto supportthisallegation.Itisafinancialallegation,andpresumablycouldhavebeensubstantiated withevidence. Makingthisallegationwithoutanykindoffactualsupportisundoubtedly insultingtonumerouslayvolunteerswhohavelaboredonthebooksandrecordsoftheParish, andunnecessarilyconfusingtootherswhoarenotinvolvedinfiscalmanagement. Thisclaim shouldbere-writtenordismissed.
ViolationofCanonI.14.2
Theallegationisinsufficientlyarticulatedandisdenied. WedonotknowfromtheComplaint whatpropertyisallegedtohavebeenmisused. Moreover,theRectorLetterofAgreement allowsRespondentto“haveuseofthebuilding(s)oftheParishasdescribedintheCanonsof TheEpiscopalChurch.”
CharacterStatementbyPriorSupervisor
Respondenthashadthreepriestsupervisors. Hereachedouttoallofthemregardingthe statementintheComplaintattributedtoaformersupervisor. Twoofthemresponded,andtheir responsesareenclosedas Exhibits8and9
Name-Calling&InferenceofNarcissism
TheComplainant,whohasnevermetRespondent,accuseshimofbeinganarcissistandhas statedsoseveraltimesonhiswebpage. ThewrittenComplaintusessimilardescriptions,calling Respondentretaliatory,manipulative,deceitful,gaslighting,tempertantrums,demeaning,and belittling. Thisstringofconclusoryallegationsandname-callingdoesnotbelonginaTitleIV complaint. Partiesshoulddescribetheactionsandallowthedecision-makerstoreach judgementsaboutthebehavior. Name-callingisunchristian,andunprofessional.
Moreimportantly,Respondentisnotnarcissistic. TheBishop’sOfficepaidforathree-day, comprehensivepsychologicalevaluation,whichis inthepossessionoftheBishop’sOffice,and whichwasprovidedtotheinvestigator.
Thepsychologistspecificallyevaluatedfornarcissistictraits,andnonewerefound. The evaluationshowsRespondentisunder“situationalstress.” Noparanoia,narcissism,orantisocial characteristicswereidentified. InSeptemberof2023,withtheconsentofBishopRivera, RespondentengagedaclergycoachandenrolledinaLeadershipprogramtoaddressthe outcomesofhisPsychologicalEvaluation.
TheevaluationreportfundedbytheDioceseofSouthernOhiocanbeprovidedundersealtothe ChurchAttorneyandtheHearingPanel.
FalseAllegationofAbuse
ThefalseallegationsofabusewerealreadydismissedinapriorTitle IVaction.Church Attorneyshavebroadauthoritytorequireprieststocooperatewithextensiveinvestigationsand havenoneedtoincludeallegationsaboutonematteriftheirintentionistopresentevidenceona differentmatter. Reiterationofallegationswithnointentionofprovidingsupportingevidence unfairlydisparagesthesubjectmemberoftheclergy. Thispracticeisnotallowedincivilcourts becauseitresultsinunfairtrials.
BecauseRespondent’sreputationhasbeenmaligned,thefalseallegationsrequirearesponse. Fourindependentfactorsshowtheabuseallegationsarenotcredible.
(1) TheDioceseofSouthernOhioinvestigatedtheallegationsbeforedismissingthemin theSummerof2022.
Inthesummerof2022,theDioceseofSouthernOhioinvestigatedtheabuseallegation. The investigationincludedinterviewingRespondent,andMs.McClain.Theremayhavebeenmore totheinvestigation.
Iftherehadbeenanyevidenceofabuse: aswornstatement, acredibletranscriptfrom acivilprotectiveorderhearing, aphotograph, apolicereport, policetestimony, psychologicaltestimony, damagedproperty, afactwitness,
theChurchAttorneycouldprosecutethechargewithorwithoutthepersonwhoinitiallymade thecomplaint. Therewasnoevidenceofabusebecausetherewasnotabuse.
(2) BishopSmithSignedaRectorLetterofAgreementAftertheClaimwasDismissed. ThesamebishopwhooversawthepriorTitle IVinvestigationsignedarectorletterof agreement. SeeExhibit1. Therealityis(1)Respondentisnotandwasnoteverabusivetohis
family,and(2)itispoliticallyunfavorabletostickupforapersonwhohasbeenpublicly accusedofabuse.
(3) Ms.McClainhasflipfloppedonherstory. Ms.McClain’sstorychangesdependingonherintentionsatthetime,includingasallegedinthe Complaint,whethershethinksshecanreunitewithRespondent. Exhibit10
(4) TheTruth
AttachedheretoasExhibit11isastatementbyRespondentaboutwhatwasgoingoninhis familyduring2022.
Pastries
Respondentoftenspendshistimemeetingparishionersatalocalpastryshop. TheParishhasan accountatthisshop,whichwassetupforthispurpose. Hetriestomeetwithtwoorthree parishionersaweek. Also,hepurchasespastriesforstaffmeetings.
Respondentdidnoteverknowinglychargehischildren’slunchestothisaccount. Thispastry shopdoesnotselllunch.4
ThechildrenareoftenaroundtheParishandmayhaveeatenpastriesthatwerepurchasedforthe Parish. Generally,parishionersenjoyhavinghischildrenaroundandtheParishistheirhome church. Theyserveasacolytes. Thesecond-oldestisonthewelcomingcommittee.Hisoldest waselectedasadelegatetoDiocesanConvention. Inthesummerof2023,whenparishlay leadershiporganizedlayworkerstohelprepainttheparishhall,thechildrenhelped.
LoanApplication
Duringthemarriage,Ms.McClainkepttrackoffamilyfinances. Afterdivorceproceedings wereinitiated,Respondentbecamemorecognizantofthefamily’sdebt. Realizingthehigh interestratestheywerewaspaying,heattemptedtoconsolidatethefamilydebt. Thiseffortwas unsuccessful. Respondent’sfatherprovidedaninterestfreeloantodischargethefamilydebt.
Exhibit12
4 SeeMenuofhttps://ashleyspastries.com/
{03126285
7
Cats
RespondentlovesanimalsandalotofpeopleattheParishdotoo. Theblessingoftheanimalsin Octoberisconsistentlywell-attended. The catslivedinstaffoffices,andtheyhadaccesstopart ofoneofthebuildings. Beforethecatsarrived,Respondentspokeaboutthecatswithparish staffandunderstoodthemtobeexcitedaboutit.
Havingcatsinchurchisuncommon,butitisnotasuncharacteristicofAnglicansascritics wouldliketomakeit. ManyEpiscopaliansloveanimals. Probablyasmanyaswholovecoffee. ECFVital Practicesdescribesitselfasa“resourceforexploringinnovativewaysforsupporting faithleadersby...offeringpeopleoffaiththetransformativeresourcesandtoolstheyneedto respondtothechangingneedsofthechurch.” InJulyof2019ECFVitalPracticespostedablog aboutachurchcat. See Exhibit13. BrutonParishhasamemorialplaqueofadeceasedcat outsidetheparishhouse. ChurchoftheAdvent,Bostonhadtwocatsthatlivedinthe church. Parish catshavebeenknowntobringpeopletogether. GoogleandAmazonare celebratedforlettingemployeesbringdogstoworkwiththematcompanyheadquarters. Itcan begoodformorale.Manyparishionersvisitedchurchofficesjusttoseethecats.Whilethecats weregoodforsome people,theywerealsodivisiveforotherpeople. Sincetheyweredivisive andarenotrelatedtothemissionoftheChurch,theyhadtogo. The financeadministrator adoptedthemandtookthemhomeduringHolyWeekin2022.
ReplacingtheMusicDirector
Currently,theParish’smostsuccessfulministryisthemusicministry. Respondentlearnedsome thingsaboutemployeemanagementthefirsttimeheterminatedaperson’semployment,andif hehadtodoitagain,hewouldhandleitdifferently. Atthetimehethought,“thebuckneedsto stopwithme,andI’mgoingtohandleit.” Now,hewouldinvolvelayleadershipdifferently throughouttheprocess.
MaskingandCOVID-19Guidelines
Respondentworeamask whenpoliciesoftheparishorthedioceseorthegovernmentofthe StateofOhiorequiredhimtodoso.InhisfirstemailcommunicationtotheParish,headvised themthatmaskingguidelineswouldbefollowed. Exhibit14.
Thepandemicwassodivisive,thereweregoingto becomplaintsaboutmasks,ornotwearing masks,nomatterwhatRespondentdid. HeconvenedaParish HealthAdvisoryCommitteeand askedthemtocreateguidelines. HealsofollowedguidelinescreatedbytheVestry. Theparish guidelinesfollowedall maskingrulespromulgatedbytheStateofOhio.
InfluenceOverNominatingCommitteeandJuniorWardenDesiretobeCandidate
AtSt.Paul’s,thepriest-in-chargeorrectorparticipatesexofficiointhevestrynomination process. In2021,however,Respondentabstainedfromparticipationin thiscommittee. In2022, Respondentparticipatedinitforthefirsttime. Theallegationsaboutmanipulationofthe nominatingcommitteearefalse. ThechairofthiscommitteeisnolongerattheParishbecause shemovedtoadifferent diocese. Itisclearshewasnotinterviewed.
Respondentneverliedaboutanycandidate’sdesiresorintentions. The candidateinquestionwas votedonbytheCommitteeandwasnotselectedtobetheJr.Wardennominee.
PledgeandPlate
ItistruethatfamilieshaveleftSt.Paul’ssinceRespondent’sarrival. Itiscommonfora percentageofmemberstotransferduringanyleadershiptransition. That said,astheLiving ChurchreportedinDecember2023,St.Paul’sgrewfrom2020-2022whenmostEpiscopal churchesdidnotgrowandmanydeclinedin membership.
JustasRespondentfeels responsible,inpart,forthesignsofgrowthandthepositivespiritinthe congregation,hecouldalsotakeresponsibilityforsome lossofmembership. Anotherentitythat couldtakeresponsibilityforthehealthofthiscongregationistheDioceseofSouthernOhio. Therepeateddecisionstopublicizecriticismsoftheparishpriestputunnecessarystrainonthe congregation.
Inspiteoftheseissues,andagainstadecadelongdownwardtrendinpledgeandplateatthe parish,whichprecededRespondent’stenure,parishleadershipmanagedtoshrinktheactual2023 deficittohalfofwhatwasprojected. Theprojected2024deficitis smallerthanthe2023deficit, andSt.Paul’sisawaitingacreditthatwillreduceitevenfurther.
TheComplaintplacesimportanceonthefactthat“...anumberoftheparish’slargerdonors wereincludedinthedepartures.” Theconsiderationsofthosewhocannot speakwiththeirwealth shouldbejustasimportantintheadministrationofthechurch.(James2:1-4)Under Respondent’sleadershipsuchvoiceshavebeengivenequalweighttovoicesofotherswho are accustomedtoholdingmorepower.
HiringMs.McClain
RespondentdidhireMs.McClaininOctoberof2020. Theseniorwardenatthetimeadvised himagainstit,andheshouldhavelistened. Hewasnotawareofprotocol,andtothebestofhis knowledge,neitherwasthevestryatthetime. TheparishhadanEmployeeHandbookthathe didnotknowabout. NooneonthevestrytoldhimabouttheEmployeeHandbookatthetimeof thehiring.
Theallegationthatthehiringwashiddenfromtheparishislogicallyincoherent. Itwas announcedattheOctober2020vestrymeetingandintheNovember2020parish newsletter. Exhibit15. Thefollowingyear,inSeptemberof2021,someoneonthevestry pointedRespondent’sattentiontotheEmployeeHandbookthathehadbeen unawareof previously. Atthetimeofthehiring,noonetoldhimtherewasaparishEmployeeHandbook. ThevestryoverturnedthehiringdecisionandsimultaneouslyMs.McClainsteppeddownfrom herposition.
Ms.McClain’sRequesttoAttendServices
Clergyshouldfeelsafeaskingdivorcingspousesnottocometotheirplace ofwork.
Fromlate2021throughearly2022,Ms.McClainrarelyattendedservices. Sheinitiateda divorcetheTuesdayafterEasterduring theyear2022. Intheinitiationofherdivorce proceedingsshesaiduntruethingsaboutRespondentthatcontinuetodevastatehim. Shedrove tohisplaceof workandrepeatedthosethingstostaffattheparish. Sherepeatedherstatements tothebishopprovisional,andforatimeduring2022,Respondentwasplaced onAdministrative Leave. RespondentreturnedtoofficeinSeptemberof2022,andafterhisfirstSundaybackat theparishMs.McClainsaidshewatchedhis sermononlinethreetimesandcriedalltheway through. Exhibit16
Respondenthasnotbeen aloneinaroomwithhersinceshemadeherinitialallegationinthe Springof2022. WhenMcClainstarted askingtocomebacktotheParish,Respondenttoldher thatcomingbacktotheparishwouldbeconfusingtopeopletowhomshesaiduntruethings. Ms.McClainasked ifRespondentwascomfortablewithherattendingChristmasEveatSt. Paul’swiththeirchildren,andheconsented. ItwasChristmas. Shemadeasimilarinquiryabout Epiphany twelvedayslater. Thistime,RespondenttoldMs.McClainthathewasuncomfortable withherattendance.
TheremayhavebeenothertimeswhenlayleadershipaskedMs.McClaintostopbeingaround theparish. TheRespondentunderstandsthattheseniorwardenatthetimeofhisadministrative leavein2022,andthecurrentjuniorwardenhavehadconversationswithMs.McClainabout this. Theselayleaderscametotheirownconclusions.
Respondentdidnotrefuseto giveMs.McClaincommunionasfalselyallegedintheComplaint. Shedidnotaskforcommunion. Ifshehadaskedforcommunion,Respondentwouldhaveasked a colleagueoralayeucharisticministertotakecommuniontoher.
AllegationofEmptyingBankAccountsandGarnishmentofWages
Ms.McClainemptiedthejointbankaccountonApril19,2022,thedaysheinitiatedherdivorce, adaybeforeRespondentevenknewthattheyweregettingdivorced. Exhibit17 Inorderto protecthimself,andmakesurehisaccountwasnotzerowhenautomaticpaymentswerecoming
{03126285
out,hestartedanewbankaccount. EventhoughRespondentwasveryhurtbythewayshe initiatedherdivorcehestartedgivingMs.McClaincashbeforetherewasacourtorderrequiring himtodoso. Hemadesurethatsheandthechildrenhadgroceries,andthattheutilitybillswere paid. Assoonasacourtorderestablishedhismaritalsupportpayments,Respondent complied. Ms.McClainfeltcomfortableaskinghimtobuyhershoes. Exhibit18
Ms.McClainhashadfourdivorceattorneys. Aftershegotherlatestattorney,thenewattorney filedamotionforcontemptandadvisedthatthesupportpaymentsshouldbeautomatically deductedfromRespondent’scompensation. Thefactthatanattorneyfilesamotiondoesnot meanthefactsallegedaretrueorthatthemotionwillbegranted. InMontgomeryCounty,Ohio, wagewithholdingforchildsupportisautomaticallyenforceduponthecompletionofdivorce proceedingsunlessthecoupleagreetoanotherarrangement.Respondentagreedthatpayments couldbedeductedautomaticallybutdidnotagreethathewasincontempt. Thecourtdidnot grantthecontemptmotion. Respondent’swageswerenot“garnished.” Theallegationof garnishedwagesismalicious.
AllegedManipulativeandDeceitfulPracticesinDivorce
RespondentandMs.McClainhavehadaverydifficultandprotracteddivorce,buthehasnot beenmanipulativeordeceitful.
WhenRespondentagreedtoparticipateinconciliationandmediationactivitiesduringthe pendencyofthedivorce,hisunderstandingofthatisthattheywould pausefightinginthe divorceandtrytoreachanamicabledissolutionoftheirmarriage. Unfortunately,theywerenot abletonegotiateanamicable settlement. Respondentcontinuestobeinvolvedinacustody disputeoverhisthreeyoungerboys.
Theyhavefoursons. TheoldestoneliveswithRespondent,and currently custodyofthe youngerthreeisshared.Ms.McClainisaskingforsolecustodyoftheirthreeyoungersons. Respondentdoesnotagreetothis. Hedoesnot wanttotaketheboysawayfromtheirmother, andhedoesnotwantthemtakenawayfromhimeither. Heshouldhavethelibertytofightfor hisrighttofatherhisboyswithoutbeingsubjectedtodiscipline.
DocumentsattachedheretoasExhibit19,showthatRespondentwasstraightforwardwithMs. McClainaboutthemeaningofthepauseontheirdivorceproceedings,andthatMs.McClain understoodaswell.
SexualRelationship
IntheSpringof2022,Ms.McClaininitiateddivorceproceedings,andsheandRespondent physicallyseparated.Becausetheyhavenotreachedasettlementoftheir custodydispute,they arestillmarried,asdefinedbysecularlaw. They aremarriedasdefinedbytheCanons. Inthe Springof2023,afterbeingphysicallyseparatedfornearlyayear,Respondentmetapersonwho
11
meansverymuchtohim. Sheisnotamemberoftheparishanddoesnotliveincloseproximity totheparish.
Respondenthasbeenforthright aboutthisrelationshipwhenasked. Recentlythebishop presiding overhisTitleIVwrotetohimaboutthisrelationshipwhenthatbishopplaced Respondentonadministrativeleave. Thisadmonitionwasthefirsttimeanybishopwroteto Respondentabouthissexualstatusduringthependencyoforafterhisdivorce. Afterreceiving thebishop’sadmonition,Respondentaskedthispersonwho meansverymuchtohimtopause therelationship,andsheagreedtodoso.
Respondentacknowledgesthathisordinationvowpromisesthathewillpatternhislifein accordancewiththeteachingsofChristsothathecanbeawholesomeexampletothoseheleads.
Respondenthasbeenforthrightaboutthisrelationshiptotheinvestigatorandwasforthright aboutitwhenasked.TheChurchwouldnothaveevidenceofanintimaterelationshipexceptthat Respondentwashonest.Respondenthasnotevermadeasexualadvanceonanypersonwith whomthereisanyformofpowerdisparityorwithanypersontowhomhehasanyconnection arisingoutofhispriestlyoffice. Heisnotandwasnoteverinapastoralrelationshipwiththis person. Shewasnoteverhisstudent. Shewasnoteveranemployeeofhis. Shehasnophysical ormentalincapacitythatwouldinhibitherfromofferingfullconsent.
Respondentwasnotinvitedtodiscussthisallegationwithanypersononbehalfofthebishop beforethismatterwasreferredtoahearingpanelandapubliccomplaintfiled. Respondenthas alreadybeenpenalizedbypublichumiliation. Asthismatterisadjudicated,thecontextofthe protracteddivorcelitigationmustbegivenconsiderationindeterminingtheextenttowhich Respondent’sactionsarematerialandsubstantialorofclearandweightyimportancetothe ministryoftheChurch.
DeborahR.Stambaugh Attorney for the Respondent
(The
Rev.)LynnCarter-Edmands Advisor to the Respondent
DanielWadeMcClain Respondent