September 5, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma,

Many of us have read the shocking and disturbing letter of August 30 from President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris about an incident on July 9, 2022 with a retired bishop, and the subsequent disciplinary case (known in our canons as Title IV). President Ayala Harris alleges that the retired bishop “physically overpowered” her in an incident of “unwanted and non-consensual physical contact” and also made “inappropriate verbal statements.” Furthermore, President Ayala Harris found the response of the Title IV process, referring the case for a pastoral response instead of discipline, “deeply unsettling.” Her full letter is below.

Today, September 5, it has been reported and confirmed that the bishop involved in the incident with President Ayala Harris was the retired Bishop of Oklahoma, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Ed Konieczny.

As with all disciplinary complaints against bishops, this was handled at the denominational level (unlike complaints against priests and deacons, which are handled locally in a diocese). As I was not involved in this disciplinary process, I cannot speak to the details either of the incident or of the disciplinary procedures that came after.  

What I can say is the following.

I want to emphasize strongly and in the clearest possible terms that in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, we do not and will not tolerate abuse or harassment, especially by religious leaders. Our diocesan disciplinary process is robust, and does not minimize or downplay reports of abuse among our congregations and institutions. We continue to evaluate and strengthen the implementation of our disciplinary process in Oklahoma to ensure justice and fairness.

At the same time, I am aware that, when it comes to the Title IV process for bishops on the denominational level, there is a widespread perception (and in some cases, reality) that bishops are treated too leniently, and complainants too often denied justice. I share the concerns of the Province VIII Women Bishops and support their letter. Without knowing what specifically happened in this particular case, I look forward to listening to and working with others (clergy and lay) to evaluate Title IV and make it more just for everyone involved.

Lastly, I have deep concern, as I know do we all, for President Ayala Harris. She and her family are in my prayers in this awful and agonizing situation, as is Bishop Konieczny and his family. Both President Ayala Harris and Bishop Konieczny are part of our Oklahoma diocese, with strong connections to many. And so we feel this pain acutely in Oklahoma. May our pain urge us to greater compassion towards the vulnerable and those who have been harmed, especially victims of abuse and harassment, more just systems and accountability in our Church and world, and deeper faith in our God, who “brings about justice for those who are oppressed” (Psalm 146:7).

The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed

Bishop of Oklahoma