I have read reporter Jonathan Pitts' several fine pieces on the tragic and clearly avoidable taking of the life of a Baltimore father. As a multi-generational Episcopalian, a past vestry member and trustee, a former church officer and search committee member for several Episcopal churches' new rectors over the years, I am astonished and ashamed at my churches' attitude, seeming arrogance and state of denial over this event. The answers your writer quotes to questions he raised are hardily sufficient ("Episcopal church to review how bishop now in jail was elected," Jan. 14).
The responses the diocese gives about the need for forgiveness are fine, but such focus should best be directed toward compassion and not selection. What, after all, is the role of leadership? What about common sense? Do we select a person for consideration for a significant leadership role who has been arrested for a major addiction violation (alcohol)?
As a former alcohol counselor, I can attest without fear of contradiction that a blood alcohol level of .27 is blind stumbling incoherent drunk and bespeaks a serious and in all probability long-term alcohol issue. Were there no other worthy candidates? To decide to not share these realities and such background facts with the committee — with all members of the committee — is egregious bordering on criminal.
Please do keep after this tragic story. Thank you for what you are doing.
David Hoopes, Greenville, Del.