Congregation protests closure of Episcopal church amid sex abuse investigation, demands reopening

[Michie]

Members of an Ohio church that has been shut down by its diocese amid an ongoing abuse investigation have called on their bishop to reopen the sanctuary.

Grace Episcopal Church, a congregation located in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, was closed last week by order of Bishop Kristin Uffelman White of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Members of Grace Episcopal sent a letter to White days later, reported the Cincinnati-based WCPO 9 News, with them expressing "deep displeasure and astonishment toward your actions."

Continued below.

Congregation protests closure of Episcopal church amid sex abuse investigation, demands reopening

Members of an Ohio church that has been shut down by its diocese amid an ongoing abuse investigation have called on their bishop to reopen the sanctuary

www.christianpost.com

 

[PloverWing]

Here is the report from the Episcopal News Service: Southern Ohio bishop suspends operations at Cincinnati church over ‘safe church’ concerns

 

[seeking.IAM]

Such a stately building with average attendance of two dozen? Alleged assault in April. Police investigation in September? Diocese notified then? I have lots of questions. Oh my. Forgive me.

 

[RileyG]

Such a stately building with average attendance of two dozen? Alleged assault in April. Police investigation in September? Diocese notified then? I have lots of questions. Oh my. Forgive me.

Only two dozen? Wouldn’t they merge with another parish or is that unheard of?

 

[seeking.IAM]

Only two dozen? Wouldn’t they merge with another parish or is that unheard of?

I do not know about the parish in this post, but...

I once got invited to speak in a large historic church (not Episcopal) in a large city. I arrived early and was promptly ushered into the Senior Pastor's study where I met all three pastors. When we emerged for the start of the service, I saw about a dozen people sitting in the first two rows of a church that could sit hundreds. I was flummoxed. I was so taken aback, it felt awkward that I had just gotten up early and drove 3 hours to talk to a handful of worshippers. After the service I was invited by someone to go to lunch. In the restaurant, my first question was, "Where was everybody today? Are the <NFL team> playing at home today?" They said, no, that what I saw was all of them. My next question was, "I have to ask. How are you supporting three pastors and a large building?" The answer: We have an Endowment.

Like, I said. I have lots of questions. Two dozen average attendance and an assault in the church. Imagine how that two dozen could break down into family units. Could the diocese be dealing with a situation where the alleged perpetrator or victim was the kid(s) of somebody on the Vestry or church board? Is that why there was no investigation from April to September? Does two dozen average attendance permit a church to have a paid Rector in place? Or are they relying upon supply priests shuffling in and out? Was there little oversight present until it all blew up?

To answer your question, I think pride, loyalty to the past, or money keeps people hanging on until the last guy turns out the lights rather than joining another congregation.

 

[RileyG]

I do not know about the parish in this post, but...

I once got invited to speak in a large historic church (not Episcopal) in a large city. I arrived early and was promptly ushered into the Senior Pastor's study where I met all three pastors. When we emerged for the start of the service, I saw about a dozen people sitting in the first two rows of a church that could sit hundreds. I was flummoxed. I was so taken aback, it felt awkward that I had just gotten up early and drove 3 hours to talk to a handful of worshippers. After the service I was invited by someone to go to lunch. In the restaurant, my first question was, "Where was everybody today? Are the <NFL team> playing at home today?" They said, no, that what I saw was all of them. My next question was, "I have to ask. How are you supporting three pastors and a large building?" The answer: We have an Endowment.

Like, I said. I have lots of questions. Two dozen average attendance and an assault in the church. Imagine how that two dozen could break down into family units. Could the diocese be dealing with a situation where the alleged perpetrator or victim was the kid(s) of somebody on the Vestry or church board? Is that why there was no investigation from April to September? Does two dozen average attendance permit a church to have a paid Rector in place? Or are they relying upon supply priests shuffling in and out? Was there little oversight present until it all blew up?

To answer your question, I think pride, loyalty to the past, or money keeps people hanging on until the last guy turns out the lights rather than joining another congregation.

3 pastors for a small congregation? How odd!

What denomination was it, if i may ask? Not to go off topic…

Thank you for your insight!

 

[seeking.IAM]

3 pastors for a small congregation? How odd!

What denomination was it, if i may ask? Not to go off topic…

Thank you for your insight!

I prefer not to say denomination because it is no indictment of them. It could happen any number of places in a shrinking congregation. The setting was a city church in a large city's once thriving neighborhood that had gone seriously downhill and was then infested with prostitution, drugs, and all that comes with it. Most of the former members had moved out and moved on - probably for good reason - all save the diehards who refused to give up. It was sad in one way, yet a few were still doing church in the midst of squalor. So, there was that. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

[RileyG]

I prefer not to say denomination because it is no indictment of them. It could happen any number of places in a shrinking congregation. The setting was a city church in a large city's once thriving neighborhood that had gone seriously downhill and was then infested with prostitution, drugs, and all that comes with it. Most of the former members had moved out and moved on - probably for good reason - all save the diehards who refused to give up. It was sad in one way, yet a few were still doing church in the midst of squalor. So, there was that. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Ahhhh, gotcha!