The problem with that approach is that it puts the burden on the victim. Second, the victim is not a member of the congregation and, therefore, would not be inclined to study the rules of the ELCA Constitution.

To think that a pastor who engaged in criminal sexual conduct can remain on a roster because of that kind of technicality is said. Who brings up charges? You? The bishop?

Pastors who demand “pastoral care” for clergy who break the law misapply our understanding of the Law and Gospel, and need to re-read their Confessions. The pastoral care that ought to be given is to the victim, and the clergy should be disciplined.

Until every Bishop in the ELCA gets this and acts to protect clergy victims, there will continue to be more victims.

If we are going to have rules for Visions and Expectations, abide by them. I mean the pastor no ill will as a fellow pastor, but he is ill and needs assistance. He should not be on the roster.

Away from the details of the case, it does point to some ambiguity we Lutherans have regarding ordination. I tried explaining the roster and ordination to an Episcopalian priest once. He said, “so being ordained doesn’t really mean anything. Being on the roster is what’s important.” On one hand we have a tradition that to be ordained is simply the one priest (from among all the priesthood of believers) who is for the sake of good order the one who presides over word & sacrament. On the other hand, ordination is a state from which even the most egregious of sinners cannot be removed, ergo, a roster.

Ah…Lutheranism in North America.

As for the permanency of being removed from the roster, five years after being removed, one is able to request restoration to the roster by applying to the Candidacy Committee of the Synod that removed him. Such applications have been very rare, and restoration is even rarer.

So how “low” is your level of sexual misconduct? Thank god this victim had the courage to go to police. It is well known that adults can be victims of clergy abuse also……. there is a blinding acceptance that ministers, whether they be catholic or other religions, are holy and god like, and treated with way too much authority.

“Bishops are to be pastors to the pastors,” she said. “That’s why their first reaction is often to protect the pastor. It can be a self-protective system.”

… an absolute abuse of POWER…

Thank you for your comment. The charge has to do with how criminal codes are worded.

Susan