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Diocesan Resolution 2014_AC140_03: Dignity at Work

RESOLVED, that this 140th Annual Convention of Episcopal Diocese of Newark call upon the Bishop to appoint a Task Force to develop a policy to address bullying, harassment and abuse of clergy by lay persons and the development of healthy norms of clergy/lay behavior within our congregations and report its findings to the 141st Annual Convention.

(Adopted as amended; added text in bold.)

Supporting Information

Harassment and bullying are forms of abuse. Abuse is ‘a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons’. (Promoting a Safe Church)

A person who is bullied may suffer emotionally, psychologically, physically, socially and spiritually. It is not well understood that the impact of bullying can be life long and affect the person, their relationships and their capacity for ministry.  Effects of bullying on ministry can include: loss of coping skills; disillusionment; inability to concentrate; loss of motivation; decreased productivity and competence; bad decision-making and poor judgment; loss of faith or crisis of vocation; difficulty trusting others; diminished employability; and premature desire to cease employment.  Bullying also leads to reputational damage for the wider church, and the individual congregation as well as for the clergyperson. 

Bullying, harassment, and abuse do not necessarily happen face-to-face; they may be inflicted by written communications, email or phone or conducted through third parties.  Some of the most damaging behaviors include spreading malicious rumors to third parties.

The Church is required by God to foster relationships of the utmost integrity, truthfulness and trustworthiness. Yet bullying, harassment, and abuse of clergy are well documented.  We believe it is of vital importance that the Diocese of Newark send a clear message that these behaviors directed toward clergy will not be tolerated.  All complaints of bullying, harassment and abuse should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

Currently there is no disciplinary canon governing laypersons.  While the Title IV Disciplinary Canons address in detail policies and procedures for bullying, harassment and abuse by clergy, there is no policy or procedure to address complaints of the bullying, harassment and abuse of clergy. 

References:

The Archbishops’ Council (2008) Dignity at Work can be found online at http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1167938/dignity%20at%20work%20booklet.pdf

Bullying in the Church:  A free Workshop for United Church Ministers concerned for their own ministries, for their clergy colleagues and for the well-being of the Church, at clergy-united.ca/bullyworkshop.pdf

Submitted by:  The Rev. Dr. Cathy L. Deats, The Rev. Kathryn L. King, The Rev. Dr. Allison Moore, The Rev. Janet Broderick

Resource Date: 
Jan 25, 2014