“With regard to clergy, this means attention to these patterns and behaviors in every evaluative, discernment, and wellness opportunity from initial application to Holy Orders until death. In addition, it requires a vocational understanding and acceptance that the souls in the clergy’s cure come first; if the church errs, it must not be at their expense.”
After the recent well publicized death of Thomas Palermo in a hit and run by former bishop Heather Cook while under the influence of alcohol, the church asked General Convention to address the policy on the use of alcohol. Last revised in 1985, the convention issued A158, a new policy that churches might consider. The convention also strengthened background checks on aspirants, postulants and ordinands to discern issues around use of substances that might impair clergy and called upon churches and […]
The media noted the attention General Convention is giving to addiction and alcoholism in light of the tragedy of the Heather Cook criminal case.
Susan Snook reflects on addiction and the church.
The Baltimore Sun provides an audio transcript of Bishop Cook’s appearance before the judge seeking leniency for her first arrest. The Sun also has more comments from friends and colleagues about her work before becoming bishop and before killing Thomas Palermo.
Standing before an Eastern Shore judge in 2010 after being caught driving drunk, the Rev. Heather Elizabeth Cook and her attorney pleaded for leniency.
Cook was undergoing three different forms of counseling, including Alcoholics Anonymous, her attorney said. And she had voluntarily had […]
Breaking news from the Diocese of Maryland. Here is the letter sent to all churches today
Baltimore, MD — The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has requested Heather Cook’s resignation as bishop suffragan in a letter sent through her lawyer on January 27. On Dec 27, 2014, Heather Cook hit and killed cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41, and has been charged by police with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and texting while driving, among other charges.”It was clear that our lay […]
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