Caring for Clergy Project

The essays for this project were written out of a partnership between The Episcopal Women’s Caucus (EWC) and The Network of Episcopal Clergy (NECA.) This project developed following a watershed moment when in January 2014 the Diocese of Newark passed a resolution seeking that their Bishop appoint a task force to explore issues (relating to workplace bullying) in relation to clergy. Dignity of Work Resolution 2014_AC140_03 (see page three). Each essay written is part of a collection of essays written to begin to address the challenge of challenging calls and the issue of workplace bullying. While the views in each essay are the authors own and we acknowledge that no one essay will be able to identify all the issues involved, our hope is that in and through the collection of pieces we might support what has begun locally in the Diocese of Newark and more importantly, further the conversation in the wider Episcopal church. If you are a clergy person in the midst of a challenging call or you have gone through it and would like to see the beginnings of a set of resources that might support you please see NECA Resource Page Why this ministry matters: A thought

“Whistle blowing and transparency are essential weapons against abuse. They can never, however be the whole answer, because making them so puts most, if not all, the responsibility on the victim, as though it was somehow their fault. This is morally wrong, because it leaves control (with diminished responsibility) in the hands of the institution, not the victim. Therefore those who lead the institutional Church, fallen people that we are like everyone else, need to do serious intentional work to create a consistent culture of respect and justice within our own spheres of influence and authority. That defends the faith much more effectively than making snarky comments on atheist websites. Throughout the organization, in every way, as far as lies in us, we have to express values that support human dignity….This has convinced me that the only way we can transform ours is by producing and enforcing, in a publicly accountable way, routines that express these values. This will sometimes mean the organization moving ahead of people. So be it. It’s only as this is done that decency becomes the shared norm in any organization.” Bishop Alan Wilson, 2010

Please consider joining EWC or the NECA to support our ongoing advocacy toward a consistent ministry of care for clergy in or coming out of difficult calls.