the episcopal diocese of san diego

fearless love

January 20. 20 I (,

Beloved in Christ,
I write 10 share with you painful news . l lcarued late last month thar the Rev. Scott Richardson. former
dean of St. Paul's Cathedral and. until recently, rector of St. Mary tile Virgin, San Francisco. was (he
respondent 10 Title IV proceedings in the Diocese otCaliforuia. Title IV is the disciplinary section of the
canons tor clergy 0 I" I he Episcopal Church. To be a respondent means that complai nts have been made
against that person. In this instance, Bishop Andrus has shared with the community of 51. Mary the
Virgin that this matter does not relate to lill;lllcial improprieties or minor children.
As often happens ill rhcse situations. Scott has reached a formal accord with his bishop, the RI. Rev. Marc
Hand Icy Andrus. As a part of the accord, Scot I h:1S accepted the sentence of deposit ion, wh ich menus he
will no longer be a priest of III is ch urch . Obvious Iy, this is a grave mar tel' with serious consequences.

Becau se of Scott s sign ificant III inistry among ns. we arc all wounded by this. Let me assu rc you of my
con Iidencc ill 13 ishop J\ ndrus ' hand ling or rhis runner. He ha:, shared with me su me icnt informat ion to
give lIlC a sense of the appropriateness of th is outcome. Nevertheless. I am deeply grieved as I know so
many in our cathedral will be. II is distressing .
I also hope thaI we will all recognize the importance ofthe disciplinury process in our church. The
discipline canon ofThe Episcopal Church exists 10 promote healing. repentance, forgiveness. restitution.
justice. amendment of life. and repentance . /\s clergy. we submit to this discipline at our ordinnrion.
While we grieve whn: has happened to Scott. we must also rccogn izc thaI (here arc ot her persons a fleeted
by the events that occurred. There are victims . We are called to be a safe church. To be that church,
there I1lUSI be uccounrahility tor those in authority,
While there is not a lor of information thai l um able to share. [ recognize thnt there may be a need lor
conversation in our cathedral conununity. For (hat reason. I will be available for a community
conversation on Tuesday, January 26. at 6:30 p.m, in the Guild Room at the Cathedral. In the unavoidable
absence of the dean and at her suggestion, I have also asked the Rev . Colin Mathewson, the Rev. Laurel
Mathewson. the Rev, Canon Hrooks ivlnson. ,lilt! the Rev, Canon Richard Lief to be available rOj" pastoral
care. II' there is anyone who reels 111;11 they need lola lk to me directly and con fidcnt ially about th iS matter
or anything pertaining to Scott. you should not hesitate to contact me directly: bishopmathes(([)cdsd.org.
r{C~1

assured

01" my

prayers for all concerned and Illy deepest love for you .

Failhfully,

r;

Th13iS~CV'
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