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Dear People of God,
Based on the volume of emails, phone calls and personal inquiries we have received since our posting regarding the Title IV process, we wanted to respond with as much information as we have.
Please know that we do not have specifics about any of the Title IV processes including those involving Bishop Howard. The Standing Committee does not have any more information than what is publicly available to all of you, and the Standing Committee is not entitled nor allowed to know more than any of you.
About Title IV
The Title IV canons are the ecclesiastical disciplinary canons of our church. We all have to trust in the process laid out in these canons of The Episcopal Church. You may locate the canons here. Under the Title IV section, you will see all of the relevant canons.
Another very helpful website is titleiv.org. This site does an excellent job of explaining what Title IV is along with the structure and procedures involved in a Title IV process.
About the Allegations
As far as the specific allegations against Bishop Howard, we know only what information is publicly available. Yesterday, February 22, 2024, the Episcopal Church released two statements that we will link to below.
One statement explains the desire for the Episcopal Church to be more transparent of the Title IV processes within the church. This statement can be found here.
The other communication identified which bishops are currently involved in a Title IV process. In that communication, the two Title IV allegations involving Bishop Howard only identify the categories (financial and discrimination) and a few key dates concerning the two processes. We do not know who the complainants are, what the consequences may be, or any other information than what was sent publicly by the Episcopal Church.
What’s Next
While we do not and will not know more than you, we will share information and updates with you as it is released by the Episcopal Church.
Anyone who has or will be brought into the investigative process will be asked to keep full confidentiality by the investigators. We support them as they keep these sensitive issues confidential. We will continue to fully cooperate with any investigation as we are asked to do so.
In the meantime, the Standing Committee is asking you to join us in praying for a fair process, the complainants and Bishop Howard. This is certainly a difficult time in the life of our diocese. May we always center our lives, individually and as a diocese, on the truth that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Faithfully,
Your Standing Committee
The Rev. Teresa Seagle Mr. Keith Daw
The Rev. Sarah Minton Ms. Jackie Jones
The Rev. Justin Yawn Ms. Heather Prox
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