Episcopal spokeswoman Sharon Tillman's remark that the Diocese of Maryland performed its "due diligence" in electing Heather Cook to the second highest position in the diocese would be laughable if it weren't for the fatal accident for which she now faces charges ("Bishop suspected Cook was drunk at dinner," Feb. 4).
That most, if not all, of the electors who elevated Ms. Cook were not aware of her drunk-driving arrest in 2010, and that the church hierarchy did not ensure they were informed of it, can hardly be called "due diligence."
It looks like the Maryland diocese is trying to shift responsibility to the national church, which is hardly to be praised for its own mealy-mouthed response to this terrible tragedy.
Howard Bluth, Baltimore