Reporting Clergy Misconduct
The General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2009 revised the canons known as Title IV to make clergy discipline first and foremost a process of discernment, mediation and pastoral response rather than one that is legalistic and judicial. The process now models those used in the medical, legal and social work professions. The revised canons went into effect on July 1, 2011.
Canon 1 of Title IV sets the theological context for the process: "By virtue of Baptism, all members of the Church are called to holiness of life and accountability to one another. The Church and each Diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and seek to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life, and reconciliation among all involved or affected. This Title applies to Members of the Clergy, who have by their vows at ordination accepted additional responsibilities and accountabilities for doctrine, discipline, worship and obedience."
An overview of the process
Before July 1, 2011, clergy disciplinary matters were brought to the bishop or the Standing Committee of the diocese. Effective July 1, 2011, under the revised canons, all matters are now reported to an intake officer (find contact information below). Matters might then be resolved through pastoral care, mediation, an agreement with the bishop, an investigation or any combination of these. An investigation may result in formal mediation, and, if necessary, a hearing.
The process now allows for resolution through whatever means will move those affected toward justice, restitution, amendment of life, repentance, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. This can include a variety of interventions for all involved and, if necessary, the suspension or removal of the cleric from ordained ministry.
Clergy standards of conduct
Members of the clergy should:
- Maintain confidentiality
- Safeguard property and funds of the church
- Conform to the canons of the Episcopal Church and the rubrics of The Book of Common Prayer
- Abide by ordination vows
- Obtain consent of the bishop before engaging in secular employment
- Obtain consent of the bishop to be absent from the diocese for more than two years
Members of the clergy should not:
- Engage in sexual misconduct (includes sexual behavior with: a member of the congregation; employee; volunteer; person in high school; person under 18 years of age; person legally incompetent; someone with whom the clergy has ever had a pastoral relationship)
- Hold or teach any doctrine contrary to that held by the Episcopal Church
- Commit criminal acts
- Engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation
- Habitually neglect public worship, Holy Communion
- Engage in any conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy
Contacting the intake officers:
Anyone may contact the diocesan intake officer to report concerns about the behavior of a member of the clergy (priests, deacons, bishops). This initiates a process to hold clergy accountable for their behavior.
The Rev. Canon Stephen J. Rhoades is the interim intake office for the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina.
Contact him by e-mail, phone, or in person by appointment:
[email protected]; 864-907-6565 (confidential voicemail)
The intake officer will:
Please note: Effective July 1, 2011, members of the clergy are required to report to the intake officer anything that may constitute an offense and to cooperate with the clergy disciplinary process.
Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board (2024)
Term Ends in 2024
Mr. Toby Goodlet – Trinity Cathedral, Columbia
Term Ends in 2025
The Rev. Debbie Apoldo (Retired) - St. Christopher's, Spartanburg
Mr. Robert Clawson - Good Shepherd, Columbia
Term Ends in 2026
The Rev. Marie Cope – Holy Cross, Simpsonville
The Rev. Patricia Sexton (Retired) - All Saints, Cayce
Mr. Tyrone Balls - Church of the Cross, Columbia
Term Ends in 2027
The Rev. Garrett Ayers - St. John's, Columbia
Thanks to the dioceses of Los Angeles, Massachusetts, and Connecticut for providing resources for these pages.
